Livia was the wife of mob capo Johnny Soprano and psychologically abusive mother to their children Barbara Janice and Tony deriving little pleasure in life other than making them miserable and tormented Tony well into adulthood, her resentment toward Tony grew even more when he placed her in a nursing home (despite the fact Tony had gotten her the best possible living arrangements) and began playing Tony's uncle Junior, having him tax Hesh Rabkin in an attempt to get under Tony's skin
. Livia eventually went as far as to manipulate Junior into ordering a hit on Tony. Livia later told Tony's friend Artie Bucco that Tony was responsible for setting fire to his beloved restaurant vesuvio, which almost resulted in Artie killing Tony but Tony managed to talk him down.
When Tony discovered his mother tried to have him killed he went over to the nursing home, intending to suffocate her with a pillow but his plan was foiled when Livia suffered a stroke. Tony then publicly threatened his mother's life before being dragged out by security.
After this Tony ended contact with his mother and refused to give her any financial support. Later on Tony gave his mother some stolen airline tickets so she could leave the country and live with her sister Quintina, which caused her to be detained in airport security. Tony then began to try making amends with his mother to keep her from testifying against him. There wasn't any need as Livia suffered a stroke soon after.
Tony admitted he was relived by his mother's death in therapy and felt ashamed for being a bad son. Many years later Tony put a nostalgic filter on his mother and said he pushed her over the edge. In spite of her monstrous personality Livia was capable of compassion as she genuinely loved her grandchildren A.J. and Meadow and used her influence with Junior to keep him from murdering Tony's nephew Christopher Moltisanti.