35 Facts About John Gotti Death

Early Life and Background

John Gotti's rise to infamy began in the gritty streets of New York City. His early years were marked by hardship and a relentless drive to escape poverty.

1. Birth and Early Life: Born on October 27, 1940, in the Bronx, John Joseph Gotti Jr. was the fifth of 13 children. His parents, John Joseph Gotti Sr. and Philomena "Fannie" DeCarlo, were of Italian descent.

2. Family Background: Gotti's grandparents hailed from San Giuseppe Vesuviano in the Italian province of Naples, bringing a rich cultural heritage to the family.

3. Poverty and Resentment: Growing up in East New York, Brooklyn, Gotti experienced severe poverty. His father worked irregularly as a day laborer, which led to Gotti's deep resentment towards him for not providing adequately for the family.

4. Education and Truancy: Gotti had a troubled school life, marked by truancy and bullying. He dropped out of Franklin K. Lane High School at the age of 16.

5. Street Gangs and Mafia Involvement: By 12, Gotti was already involved in street gangs associated with New York City's mafiosi. He met future Gambino mobsters Angelo Ruggiero and Wilfred "Willie Boy" Johnson while working with the Fulton-Rockaway Boys gang.

6. Injury and Limp: At 14, Gotti attempted to steal a cement mixer from a construction site. The mixer fell and crushed his toes, leaving him with a permanent limp.

Rise in the Mafia

Gotti's early involvement in crime set the stage for his rise within the Mafia. His ruthless tactics and strategic thinking helped him climb the ranks.

7. Career in the Mafia: After leaving school, Gotti dedicated himself to working with the Mafia-associated Fulton-Rockaway Boys gang. He played a role in the murder of James McBratney in 1973, solidifying his position in the Gambino family.

8. Marriage and Family: In 1962, Gotti married Victoria DiGiorgio. They had five children together. Tragically, their son Frank Gotti died in 1980 after being run over by a neighbor.

9. Rise to Power: By the late 1970s, Gotti was officially a "made man" of the Gambino family. He rose to power in 1985 after orchestrating the killing of Gambino boss Paul Castellano.

10. Public Image: Gotti cultivated a public image as the ultimate mob boss, earning nicknames like "Dapper Don" and "The Teflon Don." This image made him a household name in the 1980s and 1990s.

11. Media Relationship: Gotti had a complex relationship with the press. He often courted media attention but also used intimidation tactics to control the narrative around his criminal activities.

Legal Battles and Downfall

Despite his cunning, Gotti couldn't evade the law forever. His legal battles were as dramatic as his rise to power.

12. Legal Battles: Gotti's legal battles were notorious for their dramatic twists. He employed various tactics to escape conviction, causing frustration and fascination among legal experts and the public.

13. Witness Protection Program: Several former associates and members of the Gambino family entered the witness protection program and testified against Gotti in court, contributing to his eventual downfall.

14. Ravenite Raid: In 1990, the FBI raided the Ravenite Social Club and arrested Gotti. This raid was a major blow to his operations and a turning point in the government’s pursuit of him.

15. Charges and Conviction: Gotti was charged with racketeering and five murders, including the murder of Castellano. In 1992, he was convicted and sentenced to life in prison.

Health Issues and Death

Gotti's health deteriorated rapidly in prison, leading to his eventual death from throat cancer.

16. Health Issues: In 1998, Gotti was diagnosed with throat cancer. The tumor was initially treated successfully, but it returned a few years later, leading to his rapid decline in health.

17. Prison Life: Despite his imprisonment, Gotti continued to run his organization from behind bars with the help of his son, John Gotti III. His health issues made it difficult for him to maintain control over the Gambino family.

18. Cancer Treatment and Return: Gotti was initially treated for throat cancer at the United States Medical Center for Federal Prisoners in Springfield, Missouri. However, the cancer returned, and he was transferred back to Springfield for further treatment.

19. Death Announcement: On June 10, 2002, John Gotti died at the age of 61 in a federal prison hospital in Missouri. His death marked the end of a long life of crime and the end of an era in the world of organized crime.

Funeral and Legacy

Gotti's death was a significant event, drawing attention from both the public and the media. His legacy remains complex and controversial.

20. Funeral and Legacy: Gotti's funeral was held in a non-church facility, and an estimated 300 onlookers followed the procession. His body was interred in a crypt next to his son, Frank. The other New York City families sent no representatives to the funeral, reflecting their disapproval of Gotti's leadership and legacy.

21. Catholic Diocese Decision: The Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn announced that Gotti's family would not be permitted to have a Requiem Mass, but allowed a memorial Mass after the burial.

22. Family Dynamics: Despite his criminal activities, Gotti had a strong devotion to his family. His wife, Victoria, remained loyal to him throughout his life, and their children were often involved in his business dealings.

23. Gotti's Children: John Gotti III took control of the unraveling Gambino family after his father’s imprisonment. He was arrested and charged with racketeering in 1998, convicted and sentenced to six years in prison. He was again arrested and charged with murder and racketeering in Florida in 2008, but the case ended in a mistrial.

24. Peter Gotti’s Rise: John Gotti Jr.’s brother Peter Gotti took over as Gambino boss in 2002, but he was in power for only a year before being arrested and convicted of racketeering.

Public Perception and Media Coverage

Gotti's life and death captivated the public and media alike, leaving a lasting impact on popular culture.

25. Public Perception: Popular culture remembers John Gotti as the crime boss who made the Mafia fashionable. He was the quintessential mafioso — and one of the most notorious men in American history.

26. Media Coverage: Gotti’s death in 2002 marked the end of a bloody chapter in Mafia history. The media coverage surrounding his funeral and legacy highlighted both the fascination and the revulsion that people felt towards him.

27. FBI’s Role: The FBI played a significant role in Gotti’s downfall. The agency successfully bugged the Ravenite Social Club, leading to substantial evidence against him. This ultimately led to his conviction and imprisonment.

28. Witness Testimony: Sammy “The Bull” Gravano, a high-ranking member of the Gambino family, testified against Gotti in court. Gravano's testimony was crucial in securing Gotti’s conviction, as it provided detailed information about Gotti’s involvement in various crimes.

Leadership Style and Legal Maneuvers

Gotti's leadership style and legal maneuvers were both ruthless and strategic, contributing to his rise and fall.

29. Gotti’s Leadership Style: Gotti’s leadership style was characterized by his ruthless tactics and strategic thinking. He was known for ordering the murder of his predecessor, Paul Castellano, which solidified his position as the boss of the Gambino family.

30. Public Image vs. Reality: Gotti’s public image as the "Dapper Don" clashed with his cruel nature behind closed doors. This dichotomy made him both fascinating and terrifying to those who knew him.

31. Legal Maneuvers: Gotti employed various legal maneuvers to evade conviction, including jury tampering and witness intimidation. However, these tactics ultimately failed him, leading to his conviction in 1992.

Final Days and Funeral Procession

Gotti's final days were marked by his battle with cancer and the controversy surrounding his death and funeral.

32. Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment: In 1998, doctors diagnosed Gotti with throat cancer. The initial treatment was successful, but the cancer returned, leading to his rapid decline in health.

33. Autopsy Controversy: After Gotti’s death, there was a controversy over performing an autopsy. His lawyer, Bruce Cutler, argued that there was no need for it, as it was evident how Gotti died. However, the prison authorities wanted to perform an autopsy, which was eventually not done.

34. Funeral Procession: Gotti’s funeral procession was elaborate, with his bronze coffin transported in a Cadillac hearse followed by 19 cars carrying giant flower arrangements shaped like his favorite things, including a martini glass, a racehorse, cards, and a Cuban cigar.

35. Legacy and Impact: John Gotti’s legacy is complex and multifaceted. While he was a ruthless crime boss, he also inspired loyalty among his followers and fascination among the public. His impact on the world of organized crime will always be a subject of intrigue and fascination.

The End of an Era

John Gotti's death in 2002 marked the closing chapter of a notorious life steeped in crime and intrigue. Known as the "Teflon Don," Gotti's rise to power within the Gambino family, his public persona, and his eventual downfall captivated the world. Diagnosed with throat cancer in 1998, his health rapidly declined, leading to his death in a federal prison hospital. Gotti's funeral, devoid of representatives from other New York City families, reflected the complex legacy he left behind. His story remains a testament to the enduring fascination with organized crime and its leaders. From his early days in Brooklyn to his final moments in prison, Gotti's life and death continue to intrigue and educate those interested in the darker aspects of American history.