History of Curtis Sliwa in Timeline

Curtis Sliwa is an American activist and radio talk show host best known as the founder and CEO of the Guardian Angels. Founded in 1979, the Guardian Angels are a non-profit organization focused on crime prevention through citizen patrols. Sliwa has been a consistent presence in New York City media and politics for decades, known for his distinctive red beret and outspoken views. He has also pursued various political candidacies, including a run for Mayor of New York City in 2021.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles

March 26, 1954: Curtis Sliwa's Birth

On March 26, 1954, Curtis Anthony Sliwa was born. He later became an American activist, radio talk show host, and founder/CEO of the Guardian Angels.

Others born on this day/year

May 1977: Creation of the Magnificent 13

In May 1977, Curtis Sliwa created the "Magnificent 13", a civilian group aimed at combating violence and crime on the New York City Subway during a crime wave.

1979: Renaming to the Guardian Angels

In 1979, the Magnificent 13 grew and was renamed the Guardian Angels, drawing both positive and negative reactions.

December 1981: Death of Frank Melvin

In December 1981, Guardian Angels member Frank Melvin was fatally shot by a Newark police officer. Curtis Sliwa claimed the killing was racially motivated, although an Essex County grand jury cleared the officers involved.

1981: Marriage to Lisa Evers

In 1981, Curtis Sliwa wed his second wife, Lisa Evers. She was National Director of the Guardian Angels and co-hosted a WABC-AM radio show called "Angels in the Morning".

1981: Investigation into the Guardian Angels

In 1981, Mayor Ed Koch, a critic of Curtis Sliwa and the Guardian Angels, launched an investigation into the organization. The investigation ultimately proved positive, potentially leading to official status for the Guardian Angels.

1986: Lisa Evers' Training with the WWF

In 1986, Lisa Evers, then Curtis Sliwa's wife, briefly trained with the World Wrestling Federation.

1990: Start of Radio Career at WABC-AM

In 1990, Curtis Sliwa began his radio broadcasting career at WABC-AM.

June 19, 1992: Kidnapping and Shooting of Sliwa

On June 19, 1992, Curtis Sliwa was kidnapped and shot by two gunmen after entering a stolen taxi in Manhattan. He escaped the kidnapping and underwent surgery for his injuries.

November 1992: Admission of Faking Subway Rescues

In November 1992, Curtis Sliwa admitted that he and the Guardian Angels faked heroic subway rescues for publicity and falsely claimed kidnapping by off-duty officers. Sliwa stated these stunts were to highlight subway dangers.

1993: Support for Rudy Giuliani

In 1993, Curtis Sliwa supported Rudy Giuliani in the mayoral race.

1994: Hired by WNYC

In 1994, WNYC hired Curtis Sliwa after WABC had released him, allegedly due to support from newly elected Mayor Rudy Giuliani.

1996: Hosting Radio Talk Shows on WABC

Since 1996, Curtis Sliwa, as a political conservative, has hosted various radio talk shows on WABC.

2000: Co-hosting Curtis and Kuby in the Morning

In 2000, Curtis Sliwa and Ron Kuby became the co-hosts of "Curtis and Kuby in the Morning", which lasted for eight years.

2000: Marriage to Mary Galda

In 2000, Curtis Sliwa married his third wife, Mary (née Galda), a former WABC employee and Guardian Angels' national director.

2004: Birth of Son Anthony

Circa 2004, Curtis Sliwa and his then-wife Mary had a son, Anthony.

September 20, 2005: John Gotti Trial Outcome

On September 20, 2005, after three attempts, juries couldn't agree to convict John A. Gotti on charges related to the shooting of Curtis Sliwa, and the charges were dropped. Sliwa planned to seek damages in civil court.

2007: Intention to Reinvigorate NYC Republican Party

In 2007, Curtis Sliwa announced his intention to reinvigorate New York City's Republican party, and possibly run for office.

December 1, 2008: National Syndication of Curtis Sliwa LIVE

On December 1, 2008, the "Curtis Sliwa LIVE" program began national syndication.

November 2009: Cancellation of Show on WABC

In November 2009, Curtis Sliwa's show on WABC was canceled after a contract dispute.

2010: Diagnosis of Prostate Cancer

Curtis Sliwa was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2010.

April 20, 2011: Public Announcement of Cancer Diagnosis

On April 20, 2011, Curtis Sliwa publicly announced that he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer.

2013: Endorsement of John Catsimatidis for Mayor

In 2013, Curtis Sliwa endorsed Republican candidate John Catsimatidis for mayor.

January 2, 2014: Return to WABC

On January 2, 2014, Curtis Sliwa returned to WABC, replacing Rush Limbaugh.

2014: Separation from Melinda Katz

In 2014, Curtis Sliwa separated from Melinda Katz, the Queens County District Attorney, after a relationship. They have two children together conceived in vitro over the previous five years.

September 2016: Takeover of the Reform Party

In September 2016, Curtis Sliwa and Frank Morano launched a successful hostile takeover of the Reform Party of New York State.

2016: Non-Support of Donald Trump

During the 2021 mayoral campaign, Curtis Sliwa and Fernando Mateo clashed over loyalty to Donald Trump. Mateo supported Trump's election claims, while Sliwa did not support Trump in either 2016 or 2020.

June 2017: Eboni Williams as Co-host

Starting in June 2017, attorney and television commentator, Eboni Williams became Curtis Sliwa's co-host.

2017: Criticism of Fernando Mateo

In 2017, Curtis Sliwa criticized Fernando Mateo for donating to the re-election campaign of Mayor Bill de Blasio, a Democrat.

July 5, 2018: Marriage to Nancy Regula

On July 5, 2018, Curtis Sliwa married his longtime girlfriend, animal activist and attorney Nancy Regula, at the Howe Caverns.

November 2018: Reform Party Loses Ballot Access

In November 2018, the Reform Party of New York State lost its ballot access.

February 2019: Juliet Huddy as Co-host

In February 2019, Juliet Huddy joined the show as Curtis Sliwa's co-host.

December 2019: Sliwa's Criticism of Donald Trump

In December 2019, Curtis Sliwa declared in an interview that he hated then-President Donald Trump, calling him a "screwball and a crackpot".

2019: Mary Sliwa's Marriage to David Paterson

In 2019, Curtis Sliwa's third wife, Mary, married former New York State governor David Paterson and took his surname.

March 8, 2020: Announcement of Mayoral Run in 2021

On March 8, 2020, Curtis Sliwa announced that he would run for mayor of New York City in 2021 as a Republican.

2020: Differences Over Trump Support

February 2021: Return to the Republican Party

In February 2021, weeks after Trump left office, Curtis Sliwa switched his registration back to the Republican Party.

March 2021: Radio Program Hiatus for Mayoral Candidacy

In March 2021, Curtis Sliwa's radio program went on hiatus after he declared his candidacy for mayor.

November 2, 2021: Loss in Mayoral Election

On November 2, 2021, Curtis Sliwa lost to Eric Adams in the general election for New York City mayor. Sliwa conceded the same night.

January 2023: Rodent Problem Suggestion

In January 2023, after Eric Adams was fined for rodent violations, Curtis Sliwa brought cats to Adams' home, suggesting feral cats could address the city's rodent problem.

August 2023: Arrest at Anti-Immigration Rally

In August 2023, Curtis Sliwa and four other organizers were arrested after an anti-illegal immigration rally outside Gracie Mansion. The Manhattan district attorney's office declined to prosecute.

2023: Appointment of 'Rat Czar'

In August 2025, Curtis Sliwa criticized Mayor Eric Adams for failing to solve the city's rat problem, despite Adams having appointed a "Rat Czar" in 2023.

February 2024: Apprehension and Assault of a New York Man

In February 2024, Curtis Sliwa and other Guardian Angels apprehended and assaulted a New York man, wrongly claiming he was an immigrant, during a Fox News segment.

February 13, 2025: Announcement of Mayoral Candidacy

On February 13, 2025, Curtis Sliwa announced his candidacy to run for mayor of New York City in 2025, as a Republican. He apologized for past statements regarding the city's Hasidic population and criticized ICE's detainments of immigrants without due process.

February 2025: Second Radio Program Hiatus

In February 2025, Curtis Sliwa's programs once again went on hiatus upon the announcement of his second candidacy.

July 2025: Polling Results

In mid-July 2025, a poll of registered NYC voters found Curtis Sliwa coming in third, with 13%.

August 2025: Criticism of Mayor Adams' Handling of Rat Problem

In August 2025, Curtis Sliwa criticized Mayor Eric Adams for failing to solve the city's rat problem, despite Adams having appointed a "Rat Czar" in 2023.

September 2025: Animal Loving Voters

In September 2025, Curtis Sliwa and his wife owned six rescue cats. During his 2025 mayoral campaign, he said he believes there is an underestimated population of animal-loving voters in New York City who his mayoral candidacy would resonate with.