She traveled with her sons during their criminal careers.
Barker was killed during a shootout with the FBI, and she gained a reputation as a ruthless crime matriarch who controlled and organized her sons' crimes.
J.
Edgar Hoover described her as "the most vicious, dangerous, and resourceful criminal brain of the last decade".
She has been presented as a monstrous mother in films, songs, and literature.
However, those who knew her insisted that she had no criminal role, and they allege that Hoover created such accusations to excuse the FBI for killing her.