Curtis Sliwa

Curtis Sliwa is an American radio host, activist, and politician. Born on March 26, 1954, in the Canarsie neighborhood of Brooklyn, he is best known for founding the Guardian Angels, a volunteer crime prevention organization that operates in over 130 cities and 14 countries. Sliwa remains the group's CEO and most visible figure, often appearing in its signature red beret and jacket. His radio career began in 1990 on WABC-AM, and he has since hosted shows on WNYC, WNYM, and WOR, blending conservative commentary with a confrontational style. A two-time Republican candidate for mayor of New York City, he lost to Eric Adams in 2021 and to Zohran Mamdani in 2025. Sliwa has also made cameo appearances in films such as The Amazing Spider-Man 2 and Zoolander 2 and published a memoir, Street Smart. His public persona combines populist outrage with a flair for theatrical activism, earning him both loyal supporters and sharp critics.[edit]

Sliwa grew up in a working-class household in Canarsie, Brooklyn. His father served as a police officer, and his mother was a homemaker. He attended local Catholic schools before graduating from Canarsie High School. As a teenager, he worked as a busboy and later as a manager at a McDonald's restaurant, where he developed the organizational skills that would later serve him in activism. A turning point came in the mid-1970s when a friend was assaulted on the subway. Determined to fight crime, Sliwa formed the Magnificent 13 in 1977, a volunteer safety patrol that rode New York City subways and walked dangerous streets. The group quickly grew, rebranding as the Guardian Angels in 1979.[edit]

By 1979, the Guardian Angels had expanded to over 130 cities and 14 countries, with Sliwa as its CEO and public face. In 1990, he launched his radio career on WABC-AM with Curtis Sliwa Live. He later co-hosted Curtis & Kuby in the Morning with Ron Kuby, a show that ran for years on WABC and later on WNYC, WNYM, and WOR. In 1992, he published his memoir Street Smart and survived a shooting that he claimed was ordered by a drug dealer. Sliwa made cameo appearances in films including The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (2014) and Zoolander 2 (2016), as well as TV shows like Law & Order. He ran for mayor of New York City as a Republican in 2021, losing to Eric Adams, and again in 2025, losing to Zohran Mamdani. During the 2025 campaign, he abruptly quit his WOR radio show live on air. He continues to lead the Guardian Angels and host a daily radio show.[edit]

Sliwa's signature look is a red beret and red jacket, paired with a tough-talking, confrontational demeanor. He is a polarizing figure: supporters see him as a populist crime-fighting hero, while critics dismiss him as a publicity-seeking activist. His social media voice is combative, patriotic, and focused on New York City issues. Fans often call themselves "Angels" or "Guardian Angels." Sliwa's media portrayals range from serious activist to parody, with cameos often playing exaggerated versions of himself.[edit]

Curtis Sliwa stands as a unique fixture in New York media and politics, yet he currently holds no placement in the iFANN Global Top 1,000 or any Top-100 scope list. The iFANN Global Fame Engine has evaluated his profile, confirming that while his name carries weight in specific circles, it does not register within the published global rankings at this time. This absence of a numeric rank reflects a fame structure defined by regional intensity rather than worldwide saturation. Unlike global pop icons whose reach spans continents through music or film, Sliwa's influence is concentrated among listeners of his radio programs, members of the Guardian Angels, and constituents who follow his political campaigns. There is no documented fandom name for his supporters; they are generally identified as civic-minded listeners, political allies, or those drawn to his confrontational style on air. While he maintains a significant social media following, these interactions reflect a political audience engaged with city issues rather than a traditional fanbase organized around celebrity worship. No formal rituals, fan-funded projects, or collective campaigns have been recorded in connection with his persona. His cultural impact remains rooted in verified activism, electoral persistence, and polarizing public statements rather than the structured adoration seen with entertainers. The lack of an official fan designation underscores that his legacy is built on real-world action and controversy, leaving him as an institution unto himself without the trappings of a managed fandom.[edit]

Curtis Sliwa has been arrested at least 75 times for acts of civil disobedience, often related to crime and immigration protests. He once worked as a manager at a McDonald's in Brooklyn, where he founded the Guardian Angels in 1979. The group's signature red beret was inspired by the British Army's berets. Sliwa survived a shooting in 1992, which he claimed was a hit ordered by a drug dealer, though he has long alleged that John Gotti and the Gambino crime family were behind the attack, a claim never proven in court. He is a lifelong New York Yankees fan, and his nickname among supporters is 'The Guardian.' One of the most dramatic legends surrounding Sliwa is the 1992 kidnapping and shooting, when he was shot five times after entering a stolen taxi, escaping by leaping through the windshield. He still references the incident publicly, as when he opened a 2026 mayoral announcement with 'I got shot five times.' Another iconic moment came in August 2026, when Sliwa defended his former opponent, Mayor Zohran Mamdani, against 9/11 victims' relatives, telling them to 'stop being sore losers', a move that surprised even his critics. His theatrical interview style was on full display that same month in a takedown of Andrew Cuomo and Bill Ackman, and his July 2026 call for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to go broke with political expectations. Sliwa's two consecutive mayoral losses and his announced 2029 run have become a running joke in New York political circles, with one tabloid calling him a 'two-time loser.'[edit]

Sliwa's father was a police officer and his mother a homemaker. He has not publicly named his siblings. He was married to Mary Paterson from 1980 to 1990; they had two sons, Curtis Jr. and Anthony. His second marriage was to Lisa Evers, a former radio co-host, from 1992 to 2000; they had a daughter and a son. As of 2026, Sliwa is single and lives in New York City. He has not publicly disclosed owning pets.[edit]

Sliwa is closely associated with Ron Kuby, his longtime radio co-host. His political opponents include Eric Adams and Zohran Mamdani, whom he faced in mayoral races. He has been endorsed by Republicans George Pataki, Nicole Malliotakis, and Elise Stefanik.[edit]

Sliwa married Mary Paterson in 1980; they had two sons, Curtis Jr. and Anthony, before divorcing in 1990. In 1992, he married Lisa Evers, a former radio co-host and activist; they had a daughter and a son before divorcing in 2000. Since his divorce from Evers, Sliwa has not been publicly linked to any romantic partners. As of 2026, he is single.[edit]

iFANN currently estimates Curtis Sliwa's net worth at $6 million. His primary income source is his radio show salary, believed to be between $200,000 and $500,000 annually. He also earns from speaking engagements, book royalties from Street Smart, and his role as CEO of the Guardian Angels, which is likely unpaid or nominal. He has no known major business ventures, endorsement deals, or real estate holdings publicly reported. His net worth has remained relatively stable over recent years.[edit]

Sliwa has received the Key to the City of New York for his work with the Guardian Angels and multiple local humanitarian awards for crime prevention and youth mentoring. He has not won major industry awards such as Oscars, Grammys, Emmys, or Tonys.[edit]