Maxine "Red Top" Walters — Harlem’s Teenage Millionaire Queenpin

In the gritty, fast-moving streets of Harlem during the 1970s — an era defined by the rise of the drug trade and the dominance of notorious figures like Frank Matthews and Frank Lucas — one name stood out for her boldness, beauty, and unprecedented success: Maxine “Red Top” Walters.

At just 16 years old, Red Top defied all odds, amassing a fortune that made her a teenage millionaire and leaving a mark on Harlem’s history that still resonates today. Known for her extravagant lifestyle, she was a striking sight, often arriving at school draped in fur coats, confidently boasting to her teachers that she could make $300,000 in a single month. Her generosity matched her wealth — she frequently treated teachers and classmates to lavish shopping sprees, sharing her good fortune with those around her.

Red Top’s meteoric rise was fueled by her close ties to Harlem’s underworld power players. Earning the respect of kingpins Frank Matthews and Frank Lucas, she was given an unusual mark of authority: the right to stamp her work with “DOA” — Dead on Arrival. Her beauty was equally as legendary as her hustle, sparking envy and even tensions between prominent figures like Peewee Kirkland and Freddie Myers.

She moved effortlessly among Harlem’s elite, rubbing shoulders with names like West Indian Chuck, Stevie Baker, and Cisco Kid, cementing her reputation as a true player in the game. But her life, as vibrant as it was, met a tragic end.

In a cruel twist of fate, 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 bullet that took her life ended the reign of Harlem’s young queenpin at just 17 years old.

Her funeral was a grand affair, befitting her status. Nicky Barnes spared no expense, even paying Sammy Davis Jr. to perform, while Harlem’s most notorious figures came to pay their respects. After her passing, her family discovered $4 million hidden in one of her Riverdale condos, along with two Cadillacs — one sleek black and the other with striking white-and-red interiors — symbols of the empire she had built before adulthood.

Maxine “Red Top” Walters’ story is one of ambition, charisma, and tragedy — a rare tale of a young woman who conquered Harlem’s streets in an era dominated by men, only to fall victim to the same world that made her a legend. Her name still echoes in Harlem’s history as a reminder of both the allure and the dangers of the game.