John Joseph Gotti was born on October 27, 1940, in the South Bronx, New York City. He was the fifth of 13 children born to Italian immigrant parents. Gotti's father worked irregularly as a day laborer, and the family struggled financially.
Gotti became involved in a life of crime at a young age. He dropped out of school in the eighth grade and began running errands for Carmine Fatico, a capo in the Gambino crime family. Gotti quickly rose through the ranks of the family, becoming a capo himself in 1973.
In 1980, Gotti was arrested for the murder of James McBratney, a soldier in the Gambino family who had been cooperating with the FBI. Gotti was acquitted of the murder charge, but he was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to four years in prison.
Upon his release from prison in 1984, Gotti challenged Paul Castellano, the boss of the Gambino family, for control of the family. On December 16, 1985, Castellano was assassinated outside a steakhouse in Manhattan. Gotti was widely believed to have ordered the hit, and he was quickly installed as the new boss of the Gambino family.
As boss, Gotti oversaw a vast criminal empire that included racketeering, extortion, gambling, and drug trafficking. He was also known for his extravagant lifestyle, which included expensive suits and ties, and a luxury mansion in Queens.
Gotti's flashy personality and his flamboyant dress sense made him a household name. He was often photographed and interviewed by the media, and he became known as the "Teflon Don" because he seemed to be able to get away with any crime.
However, Gotti's downfall began in 1990, when he was indicted on federal racketeering and murder charges. The charges stemmed from a years-long investigation by the FBI, which had bugged the Ravenite Social Club, a New York hangout where Gotti regularly did business.
The FBI wiretaps captured Gotti discussing a number of crimes, including the murder of Castellano. Gotti was also caught on tape bragging about his criminal activities.
In 1992, Gotti was convicted of all charges and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. He died of throat cancer in 2002, while serving his sentence at the United States Medical Center for Federal Prisoners in Springfield, Missouri.
John Gotti was a complex and controversial figure. He was a ruthless gangster who committed many crimes, but he was also a charismatic and intelligent man. He remains one of the most infamous gangsters in American history.