Four photos that illustrate what it was like growing up as Pablo Escobar's son

[Editor’s note: These photographs are from Pablo Escobar: My Father, by Juan Pablo Escobar, which comes out in the US on August 30. You can read The Influence‘s interview with the author here. The photos are published here with permission; the captions are the words of Juan Pablo Escobar.]

“A few months after my birth in February 1977, my family began to reap the financial rewards of drug trafficking. My parents left the La Paz neighborhood and went to live in the best areas of Medellín.” [Property of the Marroquín Santos family.]

“This previously unpublished photograph shows my father riding an elephant in the Dallas, Texas wildlife breeding center. On that trip, accompanied by a large part of the family, he brought dozens of animals that were later transported in the Nápoles estate.” [Property of the Marroquín Santos family.]

“Wealth was on display everywhere: stacks of bills were included among the surprises in piñatas.” [Property of the Marroquín Santos family.]

“My father and I always had a very close relationship. Not even his time in hiding drove us apart. He always made an effort to be there for the most important family events.” [Property of the Marroquín Santos family.]