Joseph Bonanno Biography: Children, Wife, Cause of Death, Height, Ethnicity, Age, Net Worth, Siblings, Parents

Joseph Charles Bonanno, widely known as Joseph Bonanno, was a notorious Italian-American mobster and crime boss who played a central role in developing organized crime in the United States.

As the founder of the Bonanno crime family, one of the original Five Families of New York City, he held significant power during the mid-20th century.

Profile

• Full Name: Joseph Charles Bonanno
• Stage Name: Joseph Bonanno
• Born: January 18, 1905
• Date of death: May 11, 2002 (Aged; 97 years)
• Birthplace: Castellammare del Golfo, Sicily, Italy
• Nationality: Italian-American
• Occupation: Crime Boss and Mafia Leader
• Height: 1.73m
• Parent: Salvatore Bonanno, and Caterina Bonventre
• Siblings: Several (names not widely documented)
• Spouse: Fay Bonanno
• Children: Salvatore Bonanno, Catherine Bonanno, and Joseph C. Bonanno.
• Relationship: Married
• Net Worth: $50 million

Early Life And Education

Joseph Charles Bonanno was born on January 18, 1905, in Castellammare del Golfo, Sicily, Italy, to Salvatore Bonanno and Caterina Bonventre. He grew up in a traditional Sicilian family with multiple siblings, though their names are not widely known in public records.

Bonanno never pursued formal higher education; instead, he became immersed in the underground world of organized crime. He was of Sicilian ethnicity and adhered to Roman Catholicism throughout his life, maintaining a strong religious identity despite his criminal activities.

Career

Joseph Bonanno’s criminal career began in the United States during Prohibition, when he aligned himself with fellow immigrants from Castellammare del Golfo.

He quickly ascended the ranks of the Mafia due to his loyalty, strategic thinking, and involvement in bootlegging operations. In the early 1930s, Bonanno became involved in the infamous Castellammarese War, a violent power struggle between rival Mafia factions in New York.

Following the murder of Salvatore Maranzano, Bonanno emerged as one of the key figures in the restructured Mafia landscape and was awarded control of his own family, which would later become known as the Bonanno crime family.

Under Bonanno’s leadership, the Bonanno family flourished in illicit enterprises such as loan sharking, illegal gambling, narcotics trafficking, and labor racketeering. He was one of the original members of the Mafia’s Commission, a governing body established to avoid future internal conflicts and maintain balance among the Five Families.

His calm demeanor and calculated leadership style allowed him to maintain control and respect for several decades. However, internal family tensions and rivalries began to surface in the 1960s, culminating in what became known as the “Banana War,” a power struggle between Bonanno loyalists and dissidents within his organization.

In 1964, Bonanno mysteriously disappeared for nearly two years, sparking speculation about his status and further fueling internal strife. He later claimed he had been kidnapped, though many believe the disappearance was staged. Upon his return, he faced declining influence, FBI scrutiny, and pressure from rival mob factions.

In 1968, he was compelled to retire and relocate to Arizona, though he remained a symbol of old-school Mafia leadership. Bonanno later became one of the few mob bosses to write a memoir, A Man of Honor, published in 1983. It offers a rare personal account of Mafia life and values.

Social Media

Joseph Bonanno does not have a social media account.

Personal Life

Joseph Bonanno was married to Fay Bonanno, with whom he had three children: Salvatore Bonanno, Catherine Bonanno, and Joseph C. Bonanno. Despite his life of crime, Joseph was known to be a devoted family man who was intensely protective of his children.

He spent his later years in Tucson, Arizona, living quietly under surveillance but largely removed from active criminal dealings. His relationship with his son Bill was close, and they collaborated on business and later literary efforts.

Net Worth

At the height of his criminal empire, Joseph Bonanno had an estimated net worth of $50 million. His wealth was amassed through decades of involvement in illegal enterprises, including extortion, narcotics, gambling, and labor racketeering.