The life and death of legendary Al Capone

StarsInsider

The life and death of legendary Al Capone

Stars Insider

Posted: April 15, 2024 | Last updated: April 15, 2024

Getty Images

The life and death of legendary Al Capone

Al Capone attained notoriety during the Prohibition era in the United States as the boss of the feared Chicago Outfit, an organized crime syndicate that involved itself with bootlegging, brothels, and murder. Capone was its charismatic head, a ruthless and ambitious individual whose propensity for violence was matched only by his greed for power and money. He was born over 100 years ago, on January 17, 1899. But his name remains synonymous with the gangster culture of the 1920s and '30s.

Click through this gallery and read more about the notorious life and death of Al Capone.

You may also like: The most terrifying places in the world

Public Domain

Al Capone

Al Capone's seven-year reign as a crime boss in Chicago made him one of the most notorious mobsters of the 20th century. An estimated 33 people died as a consequence of his actions, and it's believed he personally ordered the St. Valentine's Day Massacre. He grew up as he meant to live, involving himself in crime and facing down authority.

<p>Alphonse Gabriel Capone was born in Brooklyn, New York, on January 17, 1899. His parents were Italian immigrants from Angri, a small town near Naples. Capone is pictured as a youngster with his mother.</p>

Public Domain

Young Capone

Alphonse Gabriel Capone was born in Brooklyn, New York, on January 17, 1899. His parents were Italian immigrants from Angri, a small town near Naples. Capone is pictured as a youngster with his mother.

Getty Images

Prohibition era

Capone, one of eight children, came of age during the Prohibition era. Expelled from school for striking a teacher, he helped older brother Ralph run his bottling companies (both legal and illegal), but later became involved with small-time gangs.

<p>One of these <a href="https://www.starsinsider.com/movies/406047/30-of-the-best-gangster-films-of-all-time" rel="noopener">gangs</a> was the powerful Five Points Gang (pictured), which was comprised of Italian immigrants and based in Lower Manhattan.</p>

Public Domain

Five Points Gang

One of these gangs was the powerful Five Points Gang (pictured), which was comprised of Italian immigrants and based in Lower Manhattan.

Public Domain

John Torrio (1882–1957)

It was as a member of the Five Points Gang that Capone met fellow gangster Johnny Torrio, who'd go on to help build the Chicago Outfit organized crime syndicate in the 1920s. Capone regarded Torrio as a mentor.

<p>While employed as a night club bouncer by Frankie Yale, another Five Points Gang member, Capone inadvertently insulted a woman while working the door. He was slashed with a knife three times on the left side of his face by the woman's brother, the wounds of which led to the nickname "Scarface," which Capone loathed. From then on he rarely allowed anybody to photograph him from the left side, though this image was captured shortly after the event.</p>

Getty Images

"Scarface"

While employed as a night club bouncer by Frankie Yale, another Five Points Gang member, Capone inadvertently insulted a woman while working the door. He was slashed with a knife three times on the left side of his face by the woman's brother, the wounds of which led to the nickname "Scarface," which Capone loathed. From then on he rarely allowed anybody to photograph him from the left side, though this image was captured shortly after the event.

<p>On December 30, 1918, Capone married Mae Coughlin. Three weeks before their wedding, Mae reportedly gave birth to a son, Albert Francis "Sonny" Capone. Despite Capone's fearsome reputation and serial womanizing, she remained a devoted wife, even after he was imprisoned. She was distraught following his death, and remained out of the public spotlight thereafter. Occasionally, however, the press would catch up with her and attempt to photograph "Mrs. Al Capone" (pictured). Mae Capone died in 1986, aged 89.</p>

Getty Images

Marriage to Mae Coughlin

On December 30, 1918, Capone married Mae Coughlin. Three weeks before their wedding, Mae reportedly gave birth to a son, Albert Francis "Sonny" Capone. Despite Capone's fearsome reputation and serial womanizing, she remained a devoted wife, even after he was imprisoned. She was distraught following his death, and remained out of the public spotlight thereafter. Occasionally, however, the press would catch up with her and attempt to photograph "Mrs. Al Capone" (pictured). Mae Capone died in 1986, aged 89.

<p>In 1919, Capone left New York City for Chicago at the invitation of Johnny Torrio. Capone eventually became Torrio's right-hand man as the older mobster established a bootlegger's empire in the city that was eventually controlled by Al Capone himself. Pictured is Chicago's Michigan Avenue in 1925.</p>

Getty Images

Move to Chicago

In 1919, Capone left New York City for Chicago at the invitation of Johnny Torrio. Capone eventually became Torrio's right-hand man as the older mobster established a bootlegger's empire in the city that was eventually controlled by Al Capone himself. Pictured is Chicago's Michigan Avenue in 1925.

<p>Capone began his new life in Chicago as a bouncer in a brothel, where he contracted syphilis. But this was the Prohibition era and Capone was soon involved with bootleggers in Canada, who helped him smuggle liquor into the US.</p>

Getty Images

Brothels and bootlegging

Capone began his new life in Chicago as a bouncer in a brothel, where he contracted syphilis. But this was the Prohibition era and Capone was soon involved with bootleggers in Canada, who helped him smuggle liquor into the US.

Getty Images

Control of the Chicago Outfit

Johnny Torrio handed over control of the Chicago Outfit to Capone after surviving a hit in which he was shot several times. Capone used more violence to increase bootlegging revenue. As he grew rich, the mobster indulged in custom suits, cigars, gourmet food and drink, and female companionship. Meanwhile, the United States started to buckle under the weight of the Great Depression.

You may also like: Actors who hated their on-screen character

<p>Capone attempted to clean up his image by playing on public sentiment. He did this by donating to charities and even sponsored a soup kitchen (pictured), which was patronized every day by unemployed men who'd queue for hours for coffee and doughnuts.</p>

Public Domain

The Great Depression

Capone attempted to clean up his image by playing on public sentiment. He did this by donating to charities and even sponsored a soup kitchen (pictured), which was patronized every day by unemployed men who'd queue for hours for coffee and doughnuts.

<p>But it was all a ruse. Capone used bribery and widespread intimidation to strengthen his grip on Chicago. He purchased a property at 7244 Prairie Avenue (pictured) in the Greater Grand Crossing community area of Chicago, where he lived with wife Mae and their son.</p>

Public Domain

Home life

But it was all a ruse. Capone used bribery and widespread intimidation to strengthen his grip on Chicago. He purchased a property at 7244 Prairie Avenue (pictured) in the Greater Grand Crossing community area of Chicago, where he lived with wife Mae and their son.

You may also like: Looking back on music icon Elton John

Getty Images

Lexington Hotel

Capone ran his Chicago operation from several hotels, most famously the Lexington Hotel, located at the corner of Michigan Avenue and 22nd Street. The hotel closed in 1980 and was demolished in 1995.

<p>One of Al Capone's top henchmen, Frank Nitti was in charge of all money flowing through the operation. Like his boss, Nitti was eventually convicted of tax evasion, but served a much shorter sentence. After his release, Nitti effectively took control of the Chicago Outfit. Nitti died on March 19, 1943 of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.</p>

Getty Images

Frank Nitti (1886–1943)

One of Al Capone's top henchmen, Frank Nitti was in charge of all money flowing through the operation. Like his boss, Nitti was eventually convicted of tax evasion, but served a much shorter sentence. After his release, Nitti effectively took control of the Chicago Outfit. Nitti died on March 19, 1943 of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

<p>Capone's South Side Gang wasn't the only mobster outfit operating in Chicago. Bugs Moran (pictured), together with H. Weiss, were leaders of the equally brutal North Side Gang. After Weiss was murdered in 1926, Moran competed with Capone for control of the city's lucrative bootlegging operations. A violent turf war ensued, which would culminate in one of the most notorious mob slayings in gangland history.</p>

Getty Images

Bugs Moran (1893–1957)

Capone's South Side Gang wasn't the only mobster outfit operating in Chicago. Bugs Moran (pictured), together with H. Weiss, were leaders of the equally brutal North Side Gang. After Weiss was murdered in 1926, Moran competed with Capone for control of the city's lucrative bootlegging operations. A violent turf war ensued, which would culminate in one of the most notorious mob slayings in gangland history.

<p>On February 14, 1929, seven members and associates of Moran's North Side Gang were gunned down by four unknown assailants who were dressed as police officers. The killings took place inside a garage in the Lincoln Park neighborhood of Chicago. Capone was widely assumed to be behind the killings. Pictured is a crowd of onlookers gathered outside the premises as one of the murder victims is placed in an ambulance.</p>

Getty Images

St. Valentine's Day Massacre

On February 14, 1929, seven members and associates of Moran's North Side Gang were gunned down by four unknown assailants who were dressed as police officers. The killings took place inside a garage in the Lincoln Park neighborhood of Chicago. Capone was widely assumed to be behind the killings. Pictured is a crowd of onlookers gathered outside the premises as one of the murder victims is placed in an ambulance.

Getty Images

Lawlessness

In the wake of the massacre, President Herbert Hoover was asked to intervene to stem Chicago's lawlessness. A special crime committee was sworn in over the bodies of the victims (pictured), which in turn spurred the creation of Eliot Ness' 'Untouchables' unit and spelled the beginning of the end for Capone.

<p>Prohibition agent Eliot Ness achieved nationwide fame for his efforts in bringing down Al Capone and the Chicago Outfit. Capone consistently denied responsibility for any murder of a rival gang member, and always managed to be somewhere else when a killing occurred. This prompted a multi-agency attack on Capone, with the Treasury and Justice Departments developing plans for income tax prosecutions against Chicago gangsters, operations coordinated by Ness and his team of Untouchables. </p>

Getty Images

Eliot Ness (1903–1957)

Prohibition agent Eliot Ness achieved nationwide fame for his efforts in bringing down Al Capone and the Chicago Outfit. Capone consistently denied responsibility for any murder of a rival gang member, and always managed to be somewhere else when a killing occurred. This prompted a multi-agency attack on Capone, with the Treasury and Justice Departments developing plans for income tax prosecutions against Chicago gangsters, operations coordinated by Ness and his team of Untouchables.

You may also like: You're fired! Trump's White House rejects

<p>In 1928, Capone, increasingly security-minded and desirous of getting away from Chicago, purchased a palatial estate in Miami, essentially as a winter retreat. But he often made sure he was in the Sunshine State just before a Chicago killing spree was about to take place. This way he could wash his hands of any wrongdoing, and avoid potential arrest.</p>

Getty Images

Miami, Florida

In 1928, Capone, increasingly security-minded and desirous of getting away from Chicago, purchased a palatial estate in Miami, essentially as a winter retreat. But he often made sure he was in the Sunshine State just before a Chicago killing spree was about to take place. This way he could wash his hands of any wrongdoing, and avoid potential arrest.

<p>Capone is pictured in a bathing suit during one of his many Florida sojourns.</p>

Getty Images

Life of leisure

Capone is pictured in a bathing suit during one of his many Florida sojourns.

<p>One of recent history's most notorious gangsters, Al "Scarface" Capone (1899–1947) called Chicago home, but he often took vacations down in Miami, Florida, where he'd organize offshore fishing expeditions.</p>

Getty Images

Escape from reality

Florida was Al Capone's escape from reality. His home there was a 14-room retreat located at 93 Palm Avenue on Palm Island (which still stands today). He never registered any property under his name, and never opened a bank account. He's pictured on his yacht fishing in Biscayne Bay, without a care in the world.

Getty Images

Arrest

But Capone had now caught the attention of the FBI. On March 27, 1929, he was arrested as he left a Chicago courtroom (pictured) after testifying to a grand jury that was investigating violations of federal Prohibition laws. He was later released, but in May of that year he was again arrested, this time for carrying a concealed weapon.

You may also like: The shocking condition known as sepsis

<p>Capone was sentenced to a prison term of one year and incarcerated at Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia (pictured). After his release in March 1930, the mobster was declared "Public Enemy No. 1" by law enforcement officials.</p>

Getty Images

Jail term

Capone was sentenced to a prison term of one year and incarcerated at Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia (pictured). After his release in March 1930, the mobster was declared "Public Enemy No. 1" by law enforcement officials.

<p>His seven-year reign as a crime boss ended when he went to prison at the age of 33. Incarcerated first at the Atlanta penitentiary, Capone was later moved to Alcatraz. Released after eight years, he died of cardiac arrest in 1947 as a powerless recluse.</p>

Getty Images

Another arrest

In April 1930, Capone was arrested for vagrancy while visiting Miami Beach. The governor had ordered sheriffs to run him out of the state. He was charged, but later acquitted.

You may also like: Celebrities who died on the same day

Public Domain

Avoiding justice

Capone had a knack for avoiding justice, as his FBI criminal record of 1932 testifies. Most of the criminal charges were discharged or dismissed due to lack of evidence or after buying out crooked officials.

<p>Capone's luck, however, was running out. Despite living a luxurious lifestyle, the crime boss had never filed a tax return. Ness and his team realized that collaring Capone for non-payment of taxes was the one sure way of bringing him down. Throughout 1931, Capone stood trial on several occasions charged with tax evasion. Finally, on October 17, 1931, he was convicted on five counts of income tax evasion and sentenced to 11 years in federal prison. Capone was initially sent to Atlanta US Penitentiary. But in August 1934, he was transferred to the recently opened Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary off the coast of San Francisco (pictured).</p>

Getty Images

Alcatraz

Capone's luck, however, was running out. Despite living a luxurious lifestyle, the crime boss had never filed a tax return. Ness and his team realized that collaring Capone for non-payment of taxes was the one sure way of bringing him down. Throughout 1931, Capone stood trial on several occasions charged with tax evasion. Finally, on October 17, 1931, he was convicted on five counts of income tax evasion and sentenced to 11 years in federal prison. Capone was initially sent to Atlanta US Penitentiary. But in August 1934, he was transferred to the recently opened Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary off the coast of San Francisco (pictured).

You may also like: Historical massacres that shocked the world

<p>Officially diagnosed with syphilis and gonorrhea, and suffering from withdrawal symptoms from cocaine addiction, Capone's health quickly deteriorated while at Alcatraz.</p>

Getty Images

Sickness

Officially diagnosed with syphilis and gonorrhea, and suffering from withdrawal symptoms from cocaine addiction, Capone's health quickly deteriorated while at Alcatraz.

<p>Capone completed his term in Alcatraz on January 6, 1939, having spent the last year of his sentence in the hospital section, confused and disoriented. His only visitors during his incarceration were his mother, a brother (both pictured), and wife Mae.</p>

Getty Images

Decline

Capone completed his term in Alcatraz on January 6, 1939, having spent the last year of his sentence in the hospital section, confused and disoriented. His only visitors during his incarceration were his mother, a brother (both pictured), and wife Mae.

<p>Now terminally ill, Al Capone spent his final years at his mansion in Florida, cared for by his ever-faithful wife and spending time with his grandchildren. On January 21, 1947, Capone suffered a stroke. A few days later, he had a heart attack. On January 25, Al Capone died, surrounded by his family. Pictured is the death certificate listing bronchopneumonia and apoplexy as the cause of death.</p>

Getty Images

Death

Now terminally ill, Al Capone spent his final years at his mansion in Florida, cared for by his ever-faithful wife and spending time with his grandchildren. On January 21, 1947, Capone suffered a stroke. A few days later, he had a heart attack. On January 25, Al Capone died, surrounded by his family. Pictured is the death certificate listing bronchopneumonia and apoplexy as the cause of death.

<p>Al Capone's body was transferred to Chicago where he was initially buried at Mount Olive Cemetery in Chicago. But in 1950, Capone's remains, along with those of his father, Gabriele, and brother, Salvatore, were moved to Mount Carmel Cemetery in Hillside, Illinois. Capone's grave marker is still visible today. Buried in the same cemetery is Frank Nitti, Capone's loyal henchman.</p><p>Sources: (<a href="https://www.fbi.gov/history/famous-cases/al-capone" rel="noopener">FBI</a>) (<a href="https://www.atf.gov/our-history/eliot-ness" rel="noopener">Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives</a>) (<a href="https://www.britannica.com/event/Prohibition-United-States-history-1920-1933" rel="noopener">Britannica</a>)</p><p>See also: <a href="https://www.starsinsider.com/lifestyle/173595/alcatraz-americas-notorious-rock-star">Alcatraz, America's notorious "rock" star</a>.</p>

Public Domain

Burial

Al Capone's body was transferred to Chicago where he was initially buried at Mount Olive Cemetery in Chicago. But in 1950, Capone's remains, along with those of his father, Gabriele, and brother, Salvatore, were moved to Mount Carmel Cemetery in Hillside, Illinois. Capone's grave marker is still visible today. Buried in the same cemetery is Frank Nitti, Capone's loyal henchman.

Sources: (FBI) (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives) (Britannica)

More for You

6-Year-Old Steam Game Just Hit Its All-Time Player Peak

Joe Biden Now Leads Donald Trump in Ten Polls

4 Things You Should Never Cook in Cast Iron

Ryan Gosling, 'SNL' Cast Barely Keep It Together In 'Beavis And Butt-Head' Sketch

Gavin Newsom Can’t Help Himself

How Much Does It Actually Cost To Purchase A Tank?

SEDER plate for Passover on the table with the word PESACH in Hebrew

Jewish group for Passover introduces 'Ten Plagues of Antisemitism' in its haggadah this year

Justice Clarence Thomas misses Supreme Court arguments

Gwen Stefani of No Doubt performs on the Coachella Stage at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in Indio, Calif., April 13, 2024.

The best (and worst) moments of Coachella Day 2, from No Doubt's reunion to T-Pain's line

The dog breeds gaining the most popularity in America, based on data

24 Old Vinyl Records That Can Be Worth a Lot Today

Tony Shalhoub and Andy Breckman Reflect on Mr. Monk's Last Case

Monk Creator Teases 'Another Chapter' After Peacock Reunion Film

Pet owner has 13 golden retrievers: 'Happiness is an understatement'

What to do when your own number appears to ring your home phone

Why So Many Young Men Are Abandoning College Degrees

Baltimore Ravens Sign Local Hero, Former Buffalo Bills All-Pro Wide Receiver For 2024 Season

Flight attendant shares her punishment for passengers who refuse to swap seats with parents

Masters 2024: 'Oh my gosh, this is actually happening.' Low Am has dream Sunday with Tiger Woods

Masters 2024: Low amateur's press conference ends with super awkward exchange regarding Tiger Woods

7 CDs You Probably Owned, Threw Out and Now Are Worth Bank

Therapists Say These 6 Common Habits Are Fueling Your Anxiety

Ryan Gosling and Kate McKinnon's ‘Close Encounter' Sketch Sends ‘SNL' Cold Open Into Hysterics