TheReal_Finer
Mae Capone was the wife of Al Capone, the infamous gangster who ruled the criminal underworld of Chicago during the Prohibition era. She was a devout Catholic, a loving mother, and a faithful spouse, who stood by her husband through his rise and fall, his crimes and scandals, and his illness and death. In this blog post, we will learn more about Mae Capone, her background, her marriage, and her legacy.
Early Life and Education
Mae Capone was born on April 11, 1897, in Brooklyn, New York, as Mary Josephine Coughlin. She was the daughter of two Irish immigrants, Michael and Bridget Coughlin, who had six children. She attended school until she was 16, and then started working as a sales clerk at a box factory. She was a devout Catholic, and attended the St. Mary Star of the Sea Church in Brooklyn.
Marriage and Family
Mae Capone met Al Capone, a young Italian-American who worked at a box factory, in 1918, at a party in Brooklyn. They fell in love, and got married on December 30, 1918, at the same church where Mae went. Mae was two years older than Al, and lied about her age on their marriage certificate. She also did not know much about Al’s involvement in the criminal world, as he kept it a secret from her.
Mae and Al Capone had one son, Albert Francis “Sonny” Capone, who was born on December 4, 1918, three weeks before their wedding. Sonny was born with congenital syphilis, which he inherited from his father, who had contracted the disease from a prostitute. Sonny suffered from various health problems, such as deafness, mastoiditis, and rheumatic fever. Mae and Al Capone loved their son dearly, and tried to give him the best care and education possible.
Involvement in Al’s Gang Life
Mae Capone was not directly involved in Al’s gang life, but she was aware of his illegal activities and his violent reputation. She did not approve of his lifestyle, but she did not interfere or question him either. She was loyal and faithful to her husband, and tried to maintain a normal and respectable family life. She also prayed for his safety and salvation.
Mae Capone also had to deal with Al’s infidelity, as he had numerous affairs with other women, such as actresses, singers, and prostitutes. She was hurt and humiliated by his cheating, but she did not divorce him or confront him. She once told her son, “not to do what your father did.” She also contracted syphilis from Al, which caused her to have several miscarriages and stillbirths.
Later Years and Death
Mae Capone stayed with Al until his death in 1947, even after he was convicted of tax evasion and sent to prison in 1931. She visited him regularly, and supported him financially and emotionally. She also witnessed his mental and physical decline, as his syphilis progressed to neurosyphilis, which affected his brain and nervous system. She cared for him at their home in Florida, where he spent his last years.
Mae Capone died on April 16, 1986, at the age of 89, in Hollywood, Florida. She was buried next to Al and Sonny at the Mount Carmel Cemetery in Hillside, Illinois. She was remembered as a devoted wife, a loving mother, and a faithful Catholic, who endured a lot of pain and suffering in her life.
Trivia
Here are some fun facts about Mae Capone:
| Name | Mae Capone |
|---|---|
| Age | 89 |
| Partner | Al Capone |
| Child | Sonny Capone |
| Education | High school dropout |
| Nationality | American |
| Zodiac Sign | Aries |
| Favorite Color | Blue |
| Favorite Food | Irish stew |
| Favorite Movie | Gone with the Wind |
| Favorite Book | The Bible |
| Favorite Hobby | Knitting |
I hope you enjoyed reading this blog post about Mae Capone. She was an inspiring and courageous woman, who had a lot to offer to the world. If you want to learn more about her, you can read the book Al Capone’s Wife: The Untold Story of Mae Capone by Deirdre Bair. Thank you for reading! 😊
