Basic Information
| Name | Teresina Capone |
|---|---|
| Birth Date | December 28, 1867 |
| Death Date | November 29, 1952 |
| Birthplace | Angri, Italy |
| Deathplace | Hillside, Cook County, Illinois |
| Occupation | Seamstress |
| Spouse | Gabriele Capone |
Early Life and Immigration
Teresina Capone was born Teresina Raiola on December 28, 1867, in Angri, Salerno, Italy. She married barber Gabriele Capone on May 25, 1891, and immigrated with him and their two eldest sons to Brooklyn in 1893. Teresina worked as a seamstress until her death on November 29, 1952, in Hillside, Cook County, Illinois.
Family and Children
Teresina and Gabriele raised nine children, five of whom became public figures in Prohibition‑era America. They lived in a crowded Brooklyn tenement before relocating to Chicago, where their sons joined or opposed organized crime.
Children’s Careers and Financial Legacy
| Name | Born–Died | Role | Estimated Net Worth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alphonse “Al” Capone | Jan 17, 1899–Jan 25, 1947 | Chicago Outfit boss; Prohibition-era gangster | $7 million at death (~$100 M today) |
| James Vincenzo Capone (“Richard Hart”) | Mar 28, 1892–Oct 1, 1952 | Federal Prohibition agent | Modest, law‑enforcement salary |
| Raffaele “Ralph” Capone | Jan 12, 1894–Nov 22, 1974 | Bottling operations manager for Chicago Outfit | Significant but unspecified |
| Salvatore “Frank” Capone | Jul 16, 1895–Apr 1, 1924 | Early Chicago Outfit enforcer | Some wealth pre‑1924 |
| John, Albert, Matthew, Rose, Mafalda | Various | Private lives; no public records | Unknown |
Recent Developments
- 2021 Auction: Al Capone’s four granddaughters auctioned 174 personal items—including his favorite gun—to protect them from California wildfires.
- 2019 Memoir: Great-granddaughter Patricia “Diane” Capone published Al Capone: Stories My Grandmother Told Me, recounting Teresina’s family anecdotes and humanizing the notorious patriarch.
FAQ
Who was Teresina Capone?
Teresina Capone (née Raiola) was an Italian‑born seamstress and the mother of nine, including gangster Al Capone.
When did Teresina immigrate to the United States?
She and her husband Gabriele arrived in Brooklyn in 1893.
How many of her children joined Al Capone’s criminal enterprise?
Three sons—Alphonse, Raffaele, and Salvatore—worked within the Chicago Outfit.
Which Capone child enforced Prohibition?
James Vincenzo Capone, under the alias Richard Hart, served as a federal Prohibition agent.
What recent publications and events highlight the family’s legacy?
In 2019 Diane Capone released a family memoir, and in 2021 Al’s granddaughters auctioned his belongings amid wildfire risks.
References
| Source | Description |
|---|---|
| https://www.urbansplatter.com/2024/11/al-capone-net-worth/ | Al Capone’s annual income from illegal alcohol sales was estimated at $60 million annually, which would be equivalent to $1.3 billion today. |
| https://manofmany.com/culture/al-capones-missing-millions | Al Capone’s wealth was largely dissipated due to legal fees and fines, and much of his fortune remains unaccounted for. |
| https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_James_Hart | James Capone (Richard ‘Two-Gun’ Hart) was a Prohibition agent who distanced himself from the criminal activities of his family. |
| https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ralph_Capone | Ralph Capone, also known as ‘Bottles,’ was involved in managing both legal and illegal bottling operations for the Chicago Outfit. |
| https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Capone | Frank Capone worked with Al and Ralph Capone in the Chicago Outfit until his death in 1924. |
| https://screenrant.com/al-capone-family-after-death-what-happened/ | Albert Francis ‘Sonny’ Capone, Al Capone’s son, changed his name to escape his father’s legacy and lived a quiet life. |
| https://www.chicagotribune.com/2021/08/30/growing-up-capone-an-interview-with-a-granddaughter-of-the-legendary-chicago-outfit-boss/ | Diane Capone’s 2019 book, *Al Capone: Stories My Grandmother Told Me*, offers a personal perspective on Al Capone’s family life. |
| https://www.kiro7.com/news/trending/al-capones-granddaughters-selling-mobsters-belongings-including-favorite-gun/5F7YIIYJ3RBYJGZ4FGNHIKQVGM/ | In 2021, Al Capone’s granddaughters auctioned his belongings, including his favorite gun, due to concerns over California wildfires. |
