Maxine "Red Top" Walters: Harlem’s Teenage Millionaire Queenpin Who Met a Tragic End

In the gritty, fast-moving streets of Harlem during the 1970s — an era shaped by the drug trade and notorious figures like Frank Lucas and Frank Matthews — one name rose to legendary status despite her youth: Maxine “Red Top” Walters.

By just 16 years old, Red Top had become a teenage millionaire, defying every odd and carving her place in Harlem’s underworld history. Known for her striking beauty, extravagant lifestyle, and unmatched boldness, she was a force who turned heads everywhere she went. Teachers and classmates recall her arriving at school draped in luxurious fur coats, bragging — without exaggeration — that she could make $300,000 in a single month. Red Top’s wealth was matched by her generosity; she often treated teachers and peers to lavish shopping sprees, giving those around her a taste of her success.

Her power came with the backing of Harlem’s kingpins. With the respect of both Frank Lucas and Frank Matthews, she earned a rare symbol of authority — the right to stamp her product with “DOA” (Dead on Arrival), a mark reserved for the highest level of street credibility. Red Top’s hustle was matched only by her allure, sparking jealousy and even conflict among Harlem’s most infamous names, including Peewee Kirkland and Freddie Myers. She effortlessly mingled with figures like West Indian Chuck, Stevie Baker, and Cisco Kid, cementing her reputation as Harlem royalty.

But her reign was tragically cut short. At just 17, Red Top was accidentally caught in the crossfire between Black Sunday — the bodyguard of drug lord Nicky Barnes — and a man who owed Barnes money. The stray bullet that ended her life also ended Harlem’s fascination with its teenage queenpin.

Her funeral reflected the weight of her legend. Nicky Barnes spared no expense, reportedly hiring Sammy Davis Jr. to perform, while Harlem’s underworld elite lined up to pay their respects. After her death, her family uncovered $4 million in cash hidden in one of her Riverdale condos, along with two Cadillacs — one sleek black and the other adorned with white-and-red interiors — stark symbols of the empire she had built before even reaching adulthood.

Maxine “Red Top” Walters’ story remains one of Harlem’s most remarkable — a tale of brilliance, beauty, and ambition that soared high, only to fall to the same violent world that made her a legend. Decades later, her name still echoes as a cautionary reminder of the allure and danger of the game.