Al Capone
Miami Connection
Al Capone spent his final years in retirement at his lavish Palm Island mansion in Miami Beach, Florida, where he died in 1947 from complications of syphilis and heart disease. This South Florida residence marked his escape from Chicago's violence, drawing media attention and cementing Miami's early association with high-profile mob figures. His presence highlighted the region's appeal as a haven for organized crime retirees during that era.
About
Born Alphonse Gabriel Capone on January 17, 1899, in Brooklyn, New York, to Italian immigrants, he dropped out of school young and joined the Five Points Gang, earning the nickname Scarface from a brothel fight. In 1920, mentor Johnny Torrio brought him to Chicago to expand into bootlegging amid Prohibition, managing operations like the Four Deuces speakeasy and brothel. After Torrio's retirement following an assassination attempt, Capone took control of the Chicago Outfit in 1925, dominating gambling, prostitution, and alcohol rackets while eliminating rivals in bloody feuds, including the 1929 St. Valentine's Day Massacre. His empire generated massive wealth, but federal pressure mounted, leading to his 1931 conviction on tax evasion charges and an 11-year prison sentence, including time at Alcatraz. Released in 1939 due to deteriorating health from syphilis, Capone retired quietly. He died on January 25, 1947, at his Palm Island estate in Miami Beach.