John Gotti, the infamous mob boss, died in prison in 2002 due to throat cancer.
John Gotti, also known as “The Teflon Don,” was a notorious figure and the head of the Gambino crime family. His prominence in organized crime rose during the 1980s. Gotti was known for his flamboyant style and outspoken personality, which made him a media sensation. Despite numerous trials throughout the 1980s, he managed to avoid conviction, leading to his nickname.
However, his luck ran out in 1992 when he was convicted on 13 counts, including murder, racketeering, and obstruction of justice, largely due to the testimony of his underboss, Salvatore “Sammy the Bull” Gravano. Gotti was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole and was sent to the United States Penitentiary at Marion, Illinois.
While in prison, Gotti’s health deteriorated. He was diagnosed with throat cancer in 1998 and underwent surgery, but his condition continued to worsen. After several years of battling the disease and complications from it, John Gotti passed away on June 10, 2002, at the age of 61. His death marked the end of an era for the Gambino family and the New York Mafia. Gotti’s legacy remains controversial, with some viewing him as a charismatic leader and others as a ruthless criminal.
