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John Gotti

John Gotti was an American mobster who became boss of the Gambino crime family in New York City.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

John Gotti was an American mobster who became boss of the Gambino crime family in New York City. He was one of the most publicized organized-crime figures in the United States, and was later convicted on multiple charges and died in prison in 2002.

Early life

John Gotti was born in the Bronx, New York, in 1940, to an Italian-American family. He later became involved in criminal activity and rose through the ranks of organized crime.

Leadership of the Gambino crime family

Gotti became boss of the Gambino crime family after the murder of Paul Castellano in 1985. He gained national attention because of his public profile and repeated court appearances, and was widely known by the nicknames "The Dapper Don" and "The Teflon Don".

Trials and imprisonment

Gotti was convicted in 1992 on multiple charges, including racketeering and murder-related offences. He spent the rest of his life in federal prison.

Death and burial

Gotti died of throat cancer on June 10, 2002, in a prison hospital in Springfield, Missouri, at age 61. He was buried at St. John Cemetery in New York.

Key facts

  • John Gotti was born in the Bronx, New York, in 1940.
  • He became boss of the Gambino crime family after the murder of Paul Castellano in 1985.
  • He was widely known as "The Dapper Don" and "The Teflon Don".
  • He was convicted in 1992 and died of throat cancer in federal prison in 2002.
  • He is buried at St. John Cemetery.
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Canadian context

John Gotti is part of the broader history of organized crime that has been studied by Canadian readers for its links to North American law enforcement, media coverage, and Mafia history.

Frequently asked questions

Who was John Gotti?
John Gotti was an American mobster who became boss of the Gambino crime family in New York City.
How did John Gotti die?
He died of throat cancer in a prison hospital in Springfield, Missouri, while serving a life sentence.
What was John Gotti's nickname?
He was best known as "The Dapper Don" and "The Teflon Don."
How old was John Gotti when he died?
He was 61 years old.
What crime family was John Gotti in?
He was the boss of the Gambino crime family.
Where is John Gotti buried?
He is buried at St. John Cemetery.

References

  1. Wikipediahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Gotti
    Supports: Birth name, dates, nicknames, role as boss of the Gambino crime family, death date, age at death, and resting place.
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannicahttps://www.britannica.com/biography/John-Gotti
    Supports: Biographical overview, death date, and identification as an organized-crime boss.
  3. Federal Bureau of Investigationhttps://www.fbi.gov/history/famous-cases/john-gotti
    Supports: Conviction and death in prison.
  4. The Mob Museumhttps://themobmuseum.org/notable_names/john-gotti/
    Supports: Nicknames, birth and death dates, and association with the Gambino family.
  5. CBS Newshttps://www.cbsnews.com/news/mob-boss-john-gotti-dead-at-61/
    Supports: Death at age 61 in a prison hospital and cause of death.