Mae Capone: The Loyal Wife of a Notorious Gangster

Al Capone, the notorious mobster who oversaw Chicago’s criminal underworld during the Prohibition era, was married to Mae Capone. She was a devoted wife, mother, and devout Catholic who supported her husband through his ups and downs, misdeeds and scandals, illness, and demise. We shall discover more about Mae Capone’s history, marriage, and legacy in this blog post.

Early Life and Education

Mary Josephine Coughlin, better known as Mae Capone, was born in Brooklyn, New York, on April 11, 1897. She was the daughter of six children born to Irish immigrants Michael and Bridget Coughlin. After completing her education, she began working as a sales clerk at a box manufacturer when she was sixteen years old. She was a devoted Catholic who regularly went to Brooklyn’s St. Mary Star of the Sea Church.

Marriage and Family

Mae Capone crossed paths with Al Capone, a fellow worker at a box factory and a young Italian-American, in 1918 at a Brooklyn party. Their mutual affection blossomed into marriage on December 30, 1918, in the very church Mae frequented. Mae, slightly older than Al by two years, misrepresented her age on their marriage certificate. Unaware of Al’s involvement in the criminal underworld, he managed to keep this aspect of his life hidden from her.

The couple welcomed their son, Albert Francis “Sonny” Capone, into the world on December 4, 1918, just three weeks before their wedding. Tragically, Sonny was born with congenital syphilis, inherited from his father, who contracted the disease from a prior encounter with a prostitute. Sonny’s health was profoundly affected, resulting in deafness, mastoiditis, and rheumatic fever. Despite these challenges, Mae and Al Capone devoted themselves to providing their son with the best possible care and education, showering him with love and attention.

Involvement in Al’s Gang Life

While Mae Capone was not directly involved in Al’s criminal activities, she was fully aware of his illegal ventures and the violent reputation that accompanied them. Despite disapproving of his lifestyle, she chose not to intervene or question him, opting instead to maintain a facade of normalcy and respectability within their family. Loyalty and faithfulness characterized her relationship with her husband, as she earnestly prayed for his safety and redemption.

Mae Capone also grappled with the painful reality of Al’s infidelity, enduring his numerous affairs with actresses, singers, and prostitutes. Though hurt and humiliated by his unfaithfulness, she refrained from pursuing divorce or confronting him directly. Her anguish over his actions was palpable, as evidenced by her counsel to her son, advising him “not to do what your father did.” Furthermore, Mae suffered the consequences of Al’s infidelity firsthand, contracting syphilis from him, which tragically led to several miscarriages and stillbirths.

Later Years and Death

Mae Capone remained steadfastly by Al’s side until his passing in 1947, even enduring his imprisonment following his conviction for tax evasion in 1931. Despite the challenges, she maintained regular visits to him, offering unwavering financial and emotional support throughout his incarceration. Witnessing his gradual deterioration due to the progression of syphilis to neurosyphilis, which affected his brain and nervous system, she provided devoted care for him during his final years at their home in Florida.

Following Al’s death, Mae Capone continued her journey until April 16, 1986, when she passed away at the age of 89 in Hollywood, Florida. She was laid to rest beside Al and Sonny at the Mount Carmel Cemetery in Hillside, Illinois. Revered for her unwavering devotion as a wife, her nurturing love as a mother, and her devout faith as a Catholic, Mae Capone’s life was marked by endurance through profound pain and suffering.

Profile Summary

Attribute	Description
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