Michael Franzese is a former mobster, motivational speaker and writer.
He was born on May 27, 1951, in Brooklyn, New York, and was a capo for the Colombo crime family in the 1980s.
Franzese was known as the Yuppie Don and the Prince of the Mafia.
He was estimated to have been making 5-8 million dollars per week from a gasoline bootlegging scheme involving the Russian Mafia.
Franzese survived countless Grand Jury appearances, 3 state indictments, 2 federal racketeering trials, 8 years in prison and a Mafia death sentence.
He is also the only high ranking “made man,” while still in his prime earning years, to “publicly” walk away from the mob and live to tell about it.
After his release from prison in 1994, Franzese became a motivational speaker and writer, sharing his experiences in organized crime and his journey to redemption.Â
He has authored seven books and has a YouTube channel where he tells stories about his past life, makes interviews and reviews mafia-related films, television shows, and video games.
Age, height and weight
Franzese is 72 years old as of February 2024. He stands at 5 feet 10 inches (175 cm) tall, but his weight is not explicitly mentioned in the search results.
Ethnicity and nationality
Franzese’s ethnicity is not explicitly mentioned in the search results, but he is of Italian descent. His nationality is American.
Michael Franzese’s father
John “Sonny” Franzese, Sr. was a prominent figure in the American Mafia as the underboss of the Colombo crime family.
He was born on February 6, 1917, in Naples, Italy, and immigrated to the United States with his family.
Sonny Franzese was known for his involvement in organized crime and had a significant influence in the Mafia world.
He was married to Cristina Capobianco-Franzese and had several children, including Michael Franzese.
Sonny was a devoted father with the ability to separate his criminal activities from his family life.
He was known to be always home for dinner and loved to cook calzones for his kids. Despite his criminal involvement, Sonny had a strong family presence.
He was a central figure in the Franzese family saga, which was characterized by betrayals, tragedies and redemptions.
Sonny’s notoriety in the Mafia world and his ability to balance his criminal life with family responsibilities made him a unique and complex figure in the American Mafia.
Sonny passed away on February 24, 2020, at the age of 103.
Wife
Franzese’s wife, Camille Garcia, is his second wife. They met in 1984 and were married thereafter.
Camille is not from a family with ties to the Mafia, but rather is a devoted mother and Christian.
Career
Franzese, born into the Colombo crime family, rose to become a high-ranking “made man” in the 1980s.
He was estimated to have been making $5-8 million per week from a gasoline bootlegging scheme involving the Russian Mafia.
Franzese survived numerous legal battles, including three state indictments, two federal racketeering trials and eight years in prison.
He is the only mobster from Fortune Magazine’s list of the 50 Most Wealthy and Powerful Mob Bosses who is not currently in jail or deceased.
After leaving the mob, Franzese became a motivational speaker, author, and minister, sharing his experiences to help others avoid a life of crime and addiction.
Michael Franzese background in the mafia
Franzese is a former mobster who was a caporegime in the Colombo crime family.
He was involved in various illicit activities, including loan-sharking, extortion, and racketeering, and was particularly known for his involvement in a gasoline bootlegging scheme that made him famous and wealthy.
He was estimated to have been making 5-8 million dollars per week at the height of his illegal career.
After being sentenced to prison in 1986, he decided to leave the mob and, upon his release in 1994, he turned his life around.
He is now a motivational speaker, writer, and religious advocate, sharing his experiences in organized crime and his journey to redemption.
Franzese has authored several books and has a significant online following, where he tells stories about his past life, conducts interviews and reviews mafia-related media.
He is also involved in a ministry that aims to share the transformational power of Jesus Christ with at-risk and uncharted audiences.
Jail time
Franzese, a former mobster, rose to prominence in the Colombo crime family during the 1980s.
He was involved in various legal battles, including a 10-year prison sentence in 1986 for conspiracy charges.
Franzese was released in 1989 but was rearrested in 1991 for a parole violation and ultimately released in 1994.
His criminal activities, including a gasoline bootlegging scheme, led to his imprisonment for racketeering and tax fraud.
During his time in prison, Franzese made the decision to leave the mafia and start a new life as a motivational speaker, sharing his experiences and advocating against a life of crime.
Net worth
Franzese’s net worth is estimated to be around $1 million.
He made a significant amount of money during his time in the Colombo crime family, earning an estimated $5-8 million per week from a gasoline bootlegging scheme involving the Russian Mafia.
He also had interests in nightclubs, strip clubs, restaurants, travel agencies, audio-video stores and the boxing industry.
After leaving the mafia, Franzese became a motivational speaker, author, and minister, sharing his experiences to help others avoid a life of crime and addiction.
He has authored several books, including Quitting the Mob and Blood Covenant, and has a YouTube channel where he shares his stories and reviews mafia-related films, television shows and video games.
Despite his past criminal activities, Franzese has been able to build a successful career as a motivational speaker and writer, inspiring others to make positive changes in their lives.
Movies and books
Franzese has been involved in both movies and books.
He is known for his appearances in the Fear City: New York vs The Mafia Netflix docuseries and the YouTube channel he started in June 2020, where he tells stories about his past life, conducts interviews, and reviews mafia-related films, television shows and video games.
In addition, he has authored several books, including Quitting the Mob, Blood Covenant, The Good, the Bad and the Forgiven, I’ll Make You an Offer You Can’t Refuse, From the Godfather to God the Father, Blood Covenant: The Story of the ‘Mafia Prince’ Who Publicly Quit the Mob and Lived and Mafia Democracy.
His books provide insights into his life as a former mobster and his journey to leaving the Mafia and embracing a new path.
Additionally, his YouTube channel and appearances in the Netflix docuseries offer audiences the opportunity to hear his stories and perspectives on organized crime and his experiences.
Michael Franzese wine
Franzese ventured into the wine industry with his own brand, Franzese Wine.
The wines are produced in Armenia, a region with a rich history of winemaking dating back over 6,000 years.
Franzese was inspired by Armenia’s history and the story behind the wine, as well as the commitment of his partner, Samvel Hakobyan, who has been following Franzese’s transformation from mobster to entrepreneur and motivational speaker.
The brand currently offers three wines: a Malbec, a white made from the indigenous Kangoun grape and a fortified, port-style wine.
Franzese Wine has already secured a US distribution deal with Sysco Foods covering 41 states and is expanding internationally.
Wine has played a significant role in Franzese’s life, as it was a common feature at family occasions and meetings during his time in the mob.
He sees wine as a metaphor for his own transformation, from the roots of the grape to the wine itself.
