Ronald Kray, one half of the infamous Kray twins, ruled London’s East End underworld with violence and notoriety. His life, crimes, and death remain a topic of enduring fascination. This article examines the facts: his biography, his marriage to Frances Shea, his imprisonment, his death in 1995, and the cultural legacy that continues to generate films and documentaries. It also separates established truths from lingering uncertainties about the man behind the gangster legend.
Who Was Ronald Kray? Biography and Background
Ronald “Ronnie” Kray was born on 24 October 1933 in Haggerston, East London, the identical twin of Reginald Kray. The brothers led “The Firm”, a crime gang active in the 1950s and 1960s that controlled protection rackets, armed robbery, and murder in the capital. Ronnie was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia and spent time in Broadmoor Hospital before his murder conviction. Together with Reggie, he was arrested in 1968 and sentenced to life imprisonment with a 30-year non-parole period in 1969 – the longest murder trial in British criminal history.
Overview: Ronald Kray at a Glance
Ronald ‘Ronnie’ Kray
24 October 1933, Haggerston, London
17 March 1995, Wexham Park Hospital, Slough
Leading the Kray twins gang, murder, organized crime
Key Insights Into Ronald Kray’s Life
- Ronnie Kray was the more volatile half of the Kray twins, ruling East London’s underworld with his brother Reggie.
- He was declared insane in 1965 and spent time in Broadmoor Hospital before his murder conviction.
- His marriage to Frances Shea (1965) was short and tragic; Frances died by suicide in 1967.
- A recent 2024 BBC interview (Fred Dinenage) revealed Ronnie’s remorse and fears about death.
- Despite his violent reputation, he has become a subject of enduring pop culture fascination.
Snapshot Facts About Ronald Kray
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Criminal Conviction | Murder of George Cornell (1966) |
| Sentence | Life imprisonment (30 years minimum) |
| Prison Location | Broadmoor, then Parkhurst |
| Spouse | Frances Shea (m. 1965; separated 1966) |
| Brothers | Reginald Kray (twin), Charlie Kray |
| Last Public Photo | 1993, by photographer David Bailey (specified as one of last known) |
Did Ronald Kray Have a Wife? Relationships and Family Life
Frances Kray: The Tragic Wife
Ronald Kray married Frances Shea in 1965, but the marriage was marred by violence and separation. Frances died by suicide in 1967 at the age of 23, just two years after the wedding. The London Museum notes that “Frances Shea was the tragic heart of the Kray story.” Her death remains a black mark on the twins’ history.
Charlie Kray: The Older Brother
Charlie Kray, the twins’ older brother, was convicted as an accessory to Reggie’s murder of Jack “the Hat” McVitie. He was sentenced to 10 years and served seven. In 1997 he was re-arrested for cocaine smuggling and died in prison in 2000.
Did Ronnie Kray Have a Boyfriend?
Ronnie was openly bisexual and had relationships with men. Specific documented partners are rare, however, and accounts of a “boyfriend” are often romanticised. Primary sources vary, making it one of the more uncertain aspects of his personal life.
Frances Kray’s suicide in 1967 at age 23 occurred during the twins’ rise to criminal notoriety. She is buried separately from the Kray family plot.
When Did Ronald Kray Die? Death, Prison, and Final Years
Death in Prison
Ronald Kray died of a heart attack on 17 March 1995 at Wexham Park Hospital in Slough, while still a prisoner. He was 61 years old. He had been detained in Broadmoor Hospital since being certified insane in 1979.
Reggie Kray’s Release and Death
Reggie Kray, who became a born-again Christian, was released on compassionate grounds in August 2000 after being diagnosed with bladder cancer. He died shortly after, in October 2000, at the age of 66.
Last Known Photo of Ronnie Kray
One of the most well-known last photographs of Ronnie Kray was taken by David Bailey in 1993. The image is widely published in archives and books, though multiple photos from 1993–1994 exist, and the “last photo” is sometimes debated.
Ronnie Kray was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia, which contributed to his erratic and violent behaviour. He was transferred to Broadmoor Hospital in 1979.
Is There a Movie About Ronald Kray? Media and Pop Culture
Portrayals in Film
The Krays’ story has been told in several films. The 1990 film The Krays starred real-life brothers Martin and Gary Kemp as the twins. In 2015, Legend featured Tom Hardy playing both Ronnie and Reggie Kray. A more recent film, The Krays: The Prison Years (2022), focuses on their time behind bars.
Documentaries and Interviews
TV documentaries include The Rise of the Krays (2015) and The Fall of the Krays (2016). The twins were once celebrities and were interviewed on television by photographer David Bailey before their arrest. In 2024, the BBC released a final interview with Ronnie Kray conducted by Fred Dinenage.
The 1990 film The Krays and the 2015 film Legend have contributed to a romanticised image of the twins. Actual court records show a far grimmer picture of torture and murder.
How Did the Kray Twins Die? Timeline of Their Final Years
- – Birth of Ronald and Reginald Kray in Haggerston, London.
- – Ronald Kray marries Frances Shea.
- – Ronald Kray murders George Cornell at the Blind Beggar pub.
- – Frances Kray dies by suicide.
- – Kray twins arrested.
- – Convicted of murder; sentenced to life imprisonment.
- – Ronald Kray dies in hospital, aged 61.
- – Reginald Kray released on compassionate grounds.
- – Reginald Kray dies, aged 66.
- – BBC releases final interview with Ronnie Kray (Fred Dinenage).
Did Ronnie Kray Have a Boyfriend? Separating Fact from Fiction
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Ronnie Kray was convicted of murdering George Cornell. | Exact nature of his relationships with male partners is sometimes romanticised; primary source accounts vary. |
| He was married to Frances Shea. | The last known photo is debated; multiple images from 1993–1994 exist. |
| He died on 17 March 1995 from a heart attack. | Rumours about a secret release or commutation are false; he died in custody. |
| He had a relationship with a male partner (various sources confirm bisexuality/homosexuality). | Some accounts exaggerate his role in unproven crimes (e.g., corruption of officials). |
Why Were the Kray Twins Famous? Criminal Legacy and Context
The Kray twins operated in the 1950s and 1960s, a period of high organised crime in London alongside the Richardson Gang. Their celebrity status was fuelled by media fascination and their connections to nightclubs and entertainers. Ronnie’s diagnosed paranoid schizophrenia contributed to his erratic and violent behaviour. The 1990 film The Krays (starring Gary and Martin Kemp) cemented their mythic status in British pop culture. Modern retrospectives, including the 2024 BBC interview, provide a more nuanced view, including Ronnie’s own words.
Their trial in 1969 was the longest murder trial in British history, and the judge, Melford Stevenson, famously said: “In my view, society has earned a rest from your activities.” The twins and their mother Violet are buried at Chingford Mount Cemetery in East London, and their legacy continues through books, documentaries, and films.
Who Interviewed Ronnie Kray in Prison? Key Sources and Quotes
“I don’t think I’m mad. I think I’m just a bit different from other people.”
Ronald Kray, interview with Fred Dinenage, 1994 (BBC, 2024)
“They were the most infamous gangsters London has ever known.”
London Museum, ‘The Kray Twins’ exhibit
“Frances Shea was the tragic heart of the Kray story.”
Various biographies of the Kray twins
The most credible sources for further reading include Wikipedia, the London Museum, the BBC interview, Britannica, and The National Archives. The 1990 film also features Oliver Reed in a supporting role.
What Is the Enduring Fascination With Ronald Kray?
Ronald Kray remains a symbol of the violent, glamorous side of 1960s London. His life, from the East End streets to the murder trials and prison interviews, continues to captivate through films, documentaries, and books. While the facts are stark – murder, torture, and a 30-year sentence – the human story of a mentally ill man, his tragic wife, and his twin brother ensures the Kray twins will not be forgotten.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ronald Kray
What was Ronald Kray’s cause of death?
He died of a heart attack on 17 March 1995 at Wexham Park Hospital, Slough.
Did the Kray twins have any children?
No, neither Ronald nor Reginald Kray fathered any known children.
What happened to Charlie Kray?
Charlie Kray, the older brother, was convicted of involvement in a cocaine smuggling plot and died in prison in 2000.
Where can I find the last photo of Ronnie Kray?
One of the most well-known last photos was taken by David Bailey in 1993. It is widely available in archives and books.
Did Ronnie Kray have a boyfriend?
Yes, Ronnie was openly bisexual and had relationships with men, though specific documented partners are rare and often subject to privacy.
Is there a Ronald Kray movie?
Yes, the 1990 film The Krays portrays both twins. More recently, the 2022 film The Krays: The Prison Years focuses on their time in prison.
Are the Kray twins buried together?
No. Ronnie is buried at Chingford Mount Cemetery, while Reggie was cremated and his ashes were scattered.
What was the Kray twins’ trial about?
The 1969 trial covered the murders of George Cornell and Jack McVitie, plus other crimes. It was the longest murder trial in British history.
Where were the Kray twins born?
They were born in Hoxton, East London, on 24 October 1933.
Did Ronnie Kray ever express remorse?
In a 2024 BBC interview, Ronnie expressed remorse and fears about death. He said, “I don’t think I’m mad. I think I’m just a bit different.”
Rebecca Haines is Managing Editor at DailyCity.co.uk, running the daily news list and covering UK and world stories with a city lens.