Ronnie and Reggie Kray were identical twin brothers from London’s East End who became Britain’s most notorious gangsters. Through their organisation known as the Firm, they built a criminal empire rooted in violence, protection rackets, fraud, armed robbery, blackmail, gambling, arson and murder. Their story, which peaked in the 1960s, continues to fascinate decades after they were finally brought to justice.
The Kray twins rose from humble beginnings in Haggerston, East London, to run a network that terrified rivals and courted celebrities alike. Convicted in 1969 for the murders of George Cornell and Jack “The Hat” McVitie, they were sentenced to life imprisonment. Ronnie died in Broadmoor Hospital in 1995; Reggie died in Norwich in 2000. Their legacy lives on in books, films and the enduring mythology of the East End underworld.
What did the Kray twins do? The crimes and notoriety of London’s ‘Firm’
1933–1995 (aged 61)
1933–2000 (aged 67)
1960s East London, ‘The Firm’
Books, Films (Legend), Iconic Gangsters
- Key Insight 1: The Kray twins were the last of the old-school East End gangsters, gaining fame and celebrity before their imprisonment in 1969.
- Key Insight 2: Their criminal empire was built on protection rackets, armed robbery, and murder, but their influence extended into London’s nightlife and celebrity culture.
- Key Insight 3: The Krays’ psychological profile was complex: Ronnie struggled with paranoid schizophrenia, while Reggie was the more controlled, strategic twin.
- Key Insight 4: Their cultural impact persists 50+ years later, evidenced by continued media adaptations (Legend, The Krays) and public fascination with their family dynamics.
- Key Insight 5: The twins operated with a mix of fear and charm, often mingling with politicians and entertainers while running clubs like the Esmeralda Barn.
- Key Insight 6: Police efforts to dismantle the Firm eventually succeeded through Operation Double Check, leading to their arrest in 1968.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Real Names | Ronald ‘Ronnie’ Kray & Reginald ‘Reggie’ Kray |
| Born | 24 October 1933, Haggerston, East London |
| Parents | Charles David Kray and Violet Annie Lee |
| Brother | Charlie Kray (older brother, also involved in crime) |
| Gang | ‘The Firm’, based in Bethnal Green |
| Key crimes | Murder, extortion, fraud, armed robbery, blackmail, arson, assaults |
| Trial & Conviction | 1969, convicted of murder |
| Died | Ronnie: 17 March 1995; Reggie: 1 October 2000 |
The full extent of their criminal activities is recorded in court documents and historical archives. According to the Wikipedia entry and the London Museum, the twins were involved in murder, armed robbery, extortion, fraud, blackmail, gambling, assaults and arson. Their most infamous acts were the murders of George Cornell (shot by Ronnie in 1966) and Jack “The Hat” McVitie (stabbed by Reggie in 1967).
Who were the Kray twins’ wives, mother, and brother? Exploring the family circle
Who was the Kray twins’ mother?
Violet Kray (née Lee) was the devoted mother of Ronnie, Reggie and Charlie. She lived in Bethnal Green and remained a central figure in the twins’ lives, even after their imprisonment. The London Museum notes that Violet was deeply protective of her sons and famously visited them in prison.
Who was the Kray twins’ brother?
Charlie Kray, the older brother, was also drawn into the family’s criminal world. He was convicted in 1969 for his role in the murders and later served time for a fraud case in 1982. Charlie died at age 72. Unlike Ronnie and Reggie, he had children.
What was the Kray twins’ relationship with Frances Shea?
Frances Shea married Reggie Kray in 1965. The marriage was reportedly unhappy and emotionally damaging. Frances died by suicide in 1967 at a very young age. Sources from Leonardo English describe the relationship as fraught with tension and control.
Frances Shea’s suicide came shortly after the murder of Jack McVitie. Her death is often cited as a turning point in Reggie’s emotional state and a factor in the twins’ eventual downfall.
How did the Kray twins die? Their deaths, net worth, and the end of an era
How did Ronnie Kray die?
Ronnie Kray died on 17 March 1995 at Broadmoor Hospital, reportedly of a heart attack. He had spent decades in custody, much of it in a secure psychiatric hospital after his diagnosis of paranoid schizophrenia.
How did Reggie Kray die?
Reggie Kray died on 1 October 2000 in Norwich, reportedly of bladder cancer. He was released briefly on compassionate grounds shortly before his death. Both brothers remained in custody until their deaths.
What was the Kray twins’ net worth?
No verified figure exists for the Kray twins’ net worth. Estimates circulating online are speculative. Their income came primarily from protection rackets, armed robbery, arson and illegal gambling, but much of it was likely hidden or consumed by legal costs and lifestyle. The A&E article notes they lived extravagantly, but exact numbers remain unconfirmed.
What’s the best book and movie about the Kray twins? A guide to the media legacy
Books about the Kray twins
The definitive biography is The Profession of Violence: The Rise and Fall of the Kray Twins by John Pearson, first published in 1972. Other notable titles include Kray: The Untold Biography of Britain’s Most Notorious … and Organized Crime Kray Twins. These works draw on court records, interviews and personal accounts.
Movies about the Kray twins
Two major films depict their story: The Krays (1990), starring the Kemp brothers, and Legend (2015), in which Tom Hardy plays both twins. The NPR review of Legend notes that while the film captures the twins’ charisma, some events are dramatised for cinematic effect.
Neither The Krays (1990) nor Legend (2015) is a documentary. Both take creative liberties with timelines and character interactions. For factual details, consult Pearson’s biography or original court transcripts.
Who were Ronnie and Roxy Mitchell? The Kray twins’ influence on soap characters
Ronnie and Roxy Mitchell are fictional characters from the BBC soap opera EastEnders. Their names and backstory were notoriously inspired by the Kray twins. The Mitchell family, central to the show’s gangster storylines, reflect the same East End underworld mythology that the Krays helped create. The characters have no direct relationship with the real twins but serve as a cultural echo of their legacy.
Timeline of key events in the Kray twins’ lives
- 1933: Born in East London to Charles and Violet Kray.
- 1950s: National service and early criminal careers; Reggie also boxed.
- 1960: Opened the Esmeralda Barn, gaining local notoriety.
- 1965: Frances Shea marries Reggie Kray.
- 1966: Murder of George Cornell (by Ronnie).
- 1967: Murder of Jack McVitie (by Reggie); Frances Shea commits suicide.
- 1968: Arrest of the Kray twins.
- 1969: Found guilty of murder; sentenced to life imprisonment.
- 1982: Brother Charlie Kray convicted in fraud case.
- 1995: Ronnie Kray dies in Broadmoor Hospital.
- 2000: Reggie Kray dies in Norwich, released briefly on compassionate grounds.
What is confirmed and what remains unclear about the Kray twins?
| Established information | Information that remains unclear |
|---|---|
| They were convicted of murder in 1969. | Exact net worth figures (often exaggerated in media). |
| They were identical twins born in 1933. | Specific details regarding their relationship with Frances Shea (speculated as abusive/stressful). |
| They ran a criminal enterprise called ‘The Firm’. | The degree of police corruption/involvement in their success (historically debated). |
| Ronnie Kray was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia. | Whether the 2015 film Legend accurately depicts all real events (dramatised for cinema). |
Why did the Kray twins become folk heroes despite their violence?
The Krays operated in a time when organised crime in London was romanticised. They cultivated relationships with celebrities, politicians and nightclub owners, presenting themselves as glamorous businessmen. The press of the 1960s often portrayed them as colourful characters rather than ruthless criminals. This blend of notoriety and charm allowed them to become folk heroes in parts of East London, even as their violent acts horrified the public. The fall of the Krays – brought about by a dedicated police investigation called Operation Double Check – marked the end of an era for traditional East End gangsterism.
What did the Kray twins say about themselves?
“I’m not a gangster, I’m a businessman.”
– Ronnie Kray, reportedly in interviews
“I’ve never been a grass in my life.”
– Reggie Kray, reportedly from trial transcripts
These quotes, while often reproduced, come from secondary sources and should be viewed as indicative of their public persona rather than verbatim transcripts.
Why do the Kray twins still matter today?
The Kray twins remain a reference point for organised crime in Britain. Their story has been retold in best-selling books, major films, and cultural commentaries. They symbolise a particular moment in London’s history when gangsters operated almost openly. Their influence can even be seen in fictional characters such as Bumpy Johnson and in the institutional failures highlighted in the Jimmy Savile – How Institutional Failures Allowed Abuse case, though the contexts differ widely.
Frequently asked questions about the Kray twins
Who did the Kray twins marry?
Reggie married Frances Shea in 1965; they separated shortly after. He later married Roberta Jones in 1997. Ronnie married Kate Howard in 1985 while in Broadmoor.
What is the Kray twins book by John Pearson called?
The definitive book is The Profession of Violence: The Rise and Fall of the Kray Twins by John Pearson.
What movie was made about the Kray twins?
The two main movies are The Krays (1990) starring the Kemp brothers, and Legend (2015) starring Tom Hardy as both twins.
How did the Kray twins make money?
Primarily through protection rackets, armed robbery, arson, and illegal gambling.
Who were the Kray twins’ associates?
Key associates included Ronnie Bender, Charlie Richardson (rivalry), and the Richardson Gang. Their own ‘Firm’ included men like ‘Scotch Jack’ Dickson and Albert Donoghue.
Who are Ronnie and Roxy Mitchell?
They are fictional characters from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, notoriously modelled on the Kray twins to bring an East End gangster family vibe to the show.
Daniel Mercer is Urban Affairs Editor at DailyCity.co.uk, covering councils, City Hall, planning, transport and infrastructure across London and major UK cities.