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, a non-profit dedicated to crime prevention through citizen patrols. He has a long history of community activism and a colorful public persona. In 2021, he ran as the Republican candidate for Mayor of New York City, ultimately losing to Eric Adams. Sliwa's political stances often reflect a conservative viewpoint within the context of New York City politics.

Sections (4)

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

March 26, 1954: Curtis Sliwa's Birth

On March 26, 1954, Curtis Sliwa, an American activist, radio talk show host, and founder of the Guardian Angels, was born.

Others born on this day/year

May 1977: Creation of the Magnificent 13

In May 1977, Curtis Sliwa established the "Magnificent 13", a civilian group aimed at fighting violence on the New York City Subway amidst a crime wave.

1979: Renaming to Guardian Angels

In 1979, The Magnificent 13 expanded and was renamed the Guardian Angels.

December 1981: Fatal Shooting 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. An Essex County grand jury cleared both officers of charges related to Melvin's death.

1981: Marriage to Lisa Evers

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

1981: Investigation into Guardian Angels

In 1981, then-Mayor Ed Koch, a critic of Curtis Sliwa, launched an investigation into the Guardian Angels. The investigation proved favorable, leading to the organization receiving some sort of official status. Lieutenant Governor Mario Cuomo voiced his support for the organization at the time.

1986: Training with the WWF

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

1990: Begins Career at WABC-AM

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

June 19, 1992: Kidnapping and Shooting of Curtis Sliwa

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

1992: Admission of Faked Subway Rescues

In 1992, Curtis Sliwa admitted that he and the Guardian Angels faked heroic subway rescues for publicity and falsely claimed that three off-duty transit police officers had kidnapped him. Sliwa said his stunts were intended to underscore the dangers of the subways.

1993: Supported Giuliani

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

1994: Hired by WNYC

In 1994, WNYC hired Curtis Sliwa, whom WABC had released.

1996: Radio Talk Show Host on WABC

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

2000: Co-host of 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 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

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

September 20, 2005: Gotti Trial Ends Without Conviction

On September 20, 2005, after three attempts, three separate juries could not agree to convict John A. Gotti on any of the charges brought against him related to the attempted murder of Curtis Sliwa, and the charges were dropped.

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 at WABC

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

2010: Diagnosed with Cancer

In 2010, Curtis Sliwa was diagnosed with prostate cancer.

April 20, 2011: Public Announcement of Cancer Diagnosis

On April 20, 2011, Curtis Sliwa publicly announced his diagnosis with prostate cancer.

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 where they had two children conceived in vitro.

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: Didn't support Trump

In 2016, Curtis Sliwa did not support Donald Trump in the election.

June 2017: Eboni Williams becomes co-host

In June 2017, Eboni Williams became Curtis Sliwa's co-host.

2017: Criticism of Mateo

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

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: Loss of Ballot Access

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

February 2019: Juliet Huddy joins as co-host

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

December 2019: Sliwa Hates Trump

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

2019: Mary's Marriage to David Paterson

In 2019, Curtis Sliwa's ex-wife Mary became Mary Paterson after marrying former New York State governor David Paterson.

March 8, 2020: Announcement to Run for Mayor

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

2020: Campaign Clash Over Trump

During the 2020 campaign, Mateo voiced support for Trump's claim that he won the 2020 presidential election; by contrast, Sliwa did not support Trump in either 2016 or 2020 and does not support Trump's election denial.

February 2021: Switches Back to 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

In March 2021, Curtis Sliwa's radio program went on hiatus after he officially 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 that night.

2021: Sliwa's Mayoral Candidacy

In 2021, Curtis Sliwa ran as the Republican nominee for New York City mayor but lost to Democratic nominee Eric Adams.

2021: Running for Mayor of NYC

In 2021, Curtis Sliwa ran for mayor of New York City as a Republican.

January 2023: Rodent Problem Solution

In January 2023, after his loss, Curtis Sliwa brought two cats outside the Brooklyn home of Eric Adams, after the latter had been fined for rodent violations, suggesting that feral cats could address the rodent problem in the city.

August 2023: Arrest at Anti-Immigration Rally

In late 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.