Married to the Mafia: The Lives of the Wives of History's Most Notorious Gangsters

Love can be blind, leading one not only to fall for a scoundrel but even for the most notorious gangster — ruthless, merciless, and feared by even the toughest criminals. Yet, the women featured here, as lawful wives of mafia bosses, never regretted their choices.

Behind every powerful man stands an equally strong woman — a cliché that perfectly fits our topic. Today, we explore the partners of the most dangerous gangsters and mafia leaders whose names are etched in history through violence and crime.

These women were often the polar opposites of their husbands, not sharing their views, forgiving countless betrayals, and loving with the purest devotion. Thanks to them, infamous lawbreakers and cold-blooded killers transformed into caring husbands and devoted fathers the moment they crossed their home's threshold. Isn't that a feat?

Let's revisit some of history's deadliest gangsters and learn about their spouses: one was only 15 at marriage, another was her husband's cousin, and a third unexpectedly became embroiled in a scandal with psychic TV show participant Nicole Kuznetsova.

Mae Capone — Wife of Al Capone

Al Capone is arguably the most famous gangster in history. While in the 1920s and 1930s he was considered one of the most dangerous men in the United States, today he is remembered as a legendary figure. Equally admirable was his wife, Mae Capone, who forgave her husband’s many transgressions — of which there were many.

Alphonse Capone met Mae when he was 19 and she was just 18. Their relationship was not love at first sight; Al proposed only because Mae was pregnant. Tragically, he infected her with syphilis, which was passed on to their only son, Albert. Albert endured a difficult childhood, including brain surgery that left him partially deaf.

Capone’s family life was kept secret, and Mae rarely appeared in public despite her beauty and elegant wardrobe. She preferred to showcase her style at family dinners — a tradition in the Capone household — even as Al frequently left immediately afterward for his mistresses. Mae was aware but tolerated these "small pleasures."

After Al’s release from prison, where syphilis had severely affected his speech and movement, Mae cared for him until his death on January 25, 1947, at age 48. Mae lived much longer, passing away in 1986 at 89, hopefully having found some happiness in life shielded from the harsh realities of her husband's world.

Maria Escobar — Wife of Pablo Escobar

Pablo Escobar was a paradoxical figure — responsible for tens of thousands of deaths yet also building homes for the poor. Some saw him as a monster, others as a Robin Hood-like hero. His life is shrouded in mystery, including how he met his wife Maria.

One theory suggests Maria was the youngest of Escobar’s 400 lovers, becoming pregnant at 15. Another claims they married secretly, with her wealthy family believing Escobar unworthy. Regardless, they wed in 1967 and vowed lifelong commitment.

Despite Escobar’s infidelities, Maria loved him deeply and only asked him to be less cruel to his enemies.

“In this life, I can replace anything but never my wife and children,” Escobar famously said. His family meant everything to him — a devotion that ultimately led to his downfall. While on the run, he called home to wish his son a happy birthday; authorities intercepted the call, tracked him down, and eliminated him.

After his death, Maria faced hardship, hiding with her children under false names. Many believed Escobar’s relatives vanished, but in June 2018, Maria and Escobar's heir were arrested for laundering drug cartel money.

Faina Komissar — Wife of Vyacheslav Ivankov (Yaponchik)

Vyacheslav Ivankov's life was extraordinary: a failed circus performer and disabled person who rose to become a leading criminal authority in the USSR and Russia. But today, we focus on the women who stood by such men, and Yaponchik's story is no exception.

Before meeting Faina Komissar (née Roslina), Ivankov was married twice. His first wife, Lidia Aivazova, from a noble Assyrian family, bore him two sons. These marriages lasted 15 years.

In the early 1990s, Ivankov moved to the U.S. to lead the Russian mafia there, entering a sham marriage with Irina Ola for paperwork, while Faina, a striking blonde from Kyiv, remained his true partner. She stood by him through his imprisonment and returned with him to Russia, remaining until his death in 2009 after a shooting incident.

Faina’s life after Ivankov’s death remains private, though psychic TV show participant Nicole Kuznetsova claimed to have been involved with Ivankov and even bore his child — a story widely regarded as fabricated.

Igea Lessoni — Wife of Salvatore Lucania (Lucky Luciano)

Italian Salvatore Lucania, aka Charles or Lucky Luciano, was named by Time magazine as one of the people who shaped the 20th century. He revolutionized organized crime in the U.S., transforming rival gangs into a powerful syndicate.

Luciano profited from bootlegging, drug trafficking, gambling, prostitution, and contract killings. Eventually labeled "public enemy number one," he was deported to Italy, where he met the love of his life.

Igea was a dancer dreaming of meeting a wealthy man to escape poverty. A fortune teller in Milan predicted she’d find him on Capri Island — and she did: Lucky Luciano himself.

Despite their 24-year age gap, Luciano charmed Igea with his charisma and wealth. After their first night together, he rented half a floor in Capri’s finest hotel and showered her with roses. Igea affectionately called him "Charlie," endearing him further.

She knew of his criminal life and their frequent escapes but was unafraid, enjoying the luxurious lifestyle he provided. They lived together for 11 years, unofficially married, until Igea’s death from cancer at 37. Her passing deeply affected Luciano, leading to his own demise four years later from a heart attack.

Victoria Di Giorgio — Wife of John Gotti

Remember the film "Gotti," portraying the true story of America’s mafia godfather John Gotti? Actor John Travolta met Gotti’s wife, Victoria Di Giorgio, during preparations in 2011. She was the central woman in the life of the "Cosa Nostra" boss.

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