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Son Of Mafia Boss Reveals What His Childhood Was Like

Son Of Mafia Boss Reveals What His Childhood Was Like

It's part of a new series on History UK

Amelia Ward

Amelia Ward

The son of one of America's most prolific mob bosses has spoken out about what it was like to grow up as part of a Mafia family.

Following on from the release of his film, Gotti, last year, John Jr has given a unique insight in a new four part documentary on History UK.

John Gotti Jr didn't realise his dad was part of the crime group until his classmates saw his dad's profile on TV.

John Gotti Senior, head of the Gambino family, was known as one of the most flamboyant and public figures of the organised crime world. His life influenced TV shows like The Sopranos and he lived in the public eye.

In 1992 though, his life of crime caught up with him when he was jailed for a string of offences, which included five murders. He was sentenced to life in prison, but died ten years later of throat cancer.

Speaking on the series, he went into detail about how his mother, Victoria Gotti, was fiercely protective over her kids.

PA

"From the time I was, you know I guess up until I was 13 and my father had done about nine years in prison.

"You know, all your friends their fathers are around and active in their lives, but, you know my father was, for the most part, absent.

"The kids would giggle and say, you know, you don't have a father. Your father's not coming home. Yeah your mother's a single parent. I'd go home and I would share that with my mother.

"Bless her heart, my mother, love her to death rollers in her hair, slippers on, Vicki Gotti walking down the block, and call out the parent.

"My mother protected us like a fierce mother bear. But she made our home probably as normal as possible."

He went on to describe how his dad's charm was part of what made him so successful as the boss of a mob.

National Geographic

"It's intoxicating. My father's charisma was, on a scale of one to 10, it was 11.

"And I watched all the people come and go every day, gravitate to him and circle around him, and want to please him.

"I just wanted to be like him. Most sons aspire to be like their father in some way, shape or form.

"If my father had told me, John we're butchers. That's who we are, so go get a smock.

"And I would put my smock on, I would tie it in the back and I would start cutting the meat."

Featured Image Credit: National Geographic

Topics: Mafia, TV and Film, History