Home Luxe Star Buzz Core 4

The Secret Lives Of Al Capone's Grandchildren: Where Are They Now And What Did They Auction Off?

• minute read
Contents
The legacy of Al Capone, the infamous Chicago mob boss known as "Scarface," continues to captivate the public decades after his death, but the spotlight has since shifted to the quiet lives of his descendants. As of December 2025, the family is primarily represented by his four granddaughters, who have spent most of their lives out of the public eye, only recently choosing to share their grandfather's private story and auction off his personal estate. This decision has offered a fresh glimpse into the surprisingly domestic life of one of America's most notorious criminals, while also fueling new controversies from individuals claiming a hidden lineage to the Capone name. The Capone bloodline is surprisingly thin, tracing back through a single, often-overlooked figure: Al Capone's only son, Albert Francis "Sonny" Capone. While the gangster’s life was defined by Prohibition-era violence and notoriety, his direct descendants have pursued careers as educators, counselors, and authors, grappling with the heavy burden of their surname. Their recent actions, including a major auction, have redefined the family's relationship with its dark history, moving from guarded secrecy to a public embrace of their unique, complex past.

The Four Granddaughters: Biography and Current Profiles

Al Capone and his wife, Mae Capone, had only one child, Albert Francis "Sonny" Capone (1918–2004). Sonny, who was partially deaf from birth, married Diana Casey, and together they had four daughters, who are Al Capone's only legitimate grandchildren.
  • Albert Francis "Sonny" Capone (Father): Born December 4, 1918, in Chicago, IL. Died July 3, 2004, in California. He was Al Capone's only child. He struggled with the notoriety of his name and largely lived a private life.
  • Diane Patricia Capone (Granddaughter): The most public of the four, she is an author and former college counselor. She wrote the memoir *Al Capone: Stories My Grandmother Told Me* (2019), which offers a personal, domestic perspective on the gangster's life, focusing on the stories told to her by Mae Capone. She lives in the Sierra Foothills of Northern California.
  • Veronica Capone (Granddaughter): Has maintained a very private life, with little public information available about her current career or activities outside of her involvement in the family estate.
  • Teresa Capone (Granddaughter): Like Veronica, Teresa has chosen to remain largely out of the public spotlight, focusing on a private life away from the intense scrutiny of the Capone name.
  • Barbara Capone (Granddaughter): Also maintains a private life, though she was one of the granddaughters who provided a notarized signature for the provenance of items in the 2021 family auction.

The 2021 Auction: Selling Scarface's Private Life

The most significant public action taken by Al Capone's granddaughters in recent memory was the "A Century of Notoriety: The Estate of Al Capone" auction, held by Witherell's Auction House on October 8, 2021. The event was a watershed moment, as it marked the first time the family collectively decided to sell a large portion of the notorious mobster's personal belongings. The granddaughters, including Diane Capone, stated that they decided to sell the estate because they were all aging and wanted to ensure the items were passed on properly. They had lived quietly for decades in the Bay Area and Auburn, California, and the sale was a way to finally address the physical remnants of their infamous family history.

Notable Items and Surprising Sales

The auction was not just about selling relics; it was about revealing the surprisingly domestic and sentimental side of the man known as "Scarface." The items sold offered a stark contrast between the public image of a ruthless gangster and the private life of a family man. * Capone's Favorite Gun: The most highly anticipated item was Al Capone's personal, favorite .45-caliber semi-automatic pistol. It sold for a staggering $860,000, far exceeding its initial estimate. * Sentimental Jewelry: A platinum and diamond pocket watch, engraved with the initials "A.C.," sold for over $225,000. * Family Letters: Perhaps the most poignant items were personal letters, including a farewell letter written to Sonny from Alcatraz, which offered a rare glimpse into the father-son relationship. * Domestic Items: The auction included everyday items like a set of Hutschenreuther "Royal Bavarian" teacups and the serpentine crest bed Capone shared with his wife, Mae. The total sale generated millions of dollars, demonstrating the enduring, morbid curiosity the world has for anything connected to the Prohibition-era underworld.

The Controversy of the "Hidden Grandson"

While the four daughters of Sonny Capone are the only recognized, legitimate grandchildren, the family tree has been complicated by the claims of a man named Chris W. Knight Capone (also known as Christopher Capone). This individual has publicly alleged that he is a grandson of Al Capone through a "hidden son" who was kept secret from the public and even the rest of the family.

The Claim and the Memoir

Chris W. Knight Capone is the author of the memoir *Son of Scarface: A Memoir by the Grandson of Al Capone*. The book details his courageous search for the truth of his lineage, chronicling the lies, deceptions, and heartaches involved in tracing his family bloodline back to the notorious gangster.

Legal Efforts and DNA Disputes

The claim has been met with skepticism from the legitimate Capone family. Chris Capone has actively pursued legal avenues to obtain DNA samples in an attempt to definitively prove his connection to Al Capone. His efforts to legally establish his grandfather as Al Capone have been ongoing, creating a parallel, controversial narrative to the established family history. The existence of a "hidden son" is a frequent point of speculation, but the lack of definitive, uncontested DNA evidence means that Chris Capone's claim remains a contentious piece of the modern Capone family story.

Living with the Scarface Legacy

For Al Capone's grandchildren, the name "Capone" is not a source of pride or wealth, but a constant, complex shadow. They have continually sought to separate the myth of the gangster from the reality of the family man their grandmother, Mae Capone, described. Diane Capone, in particular, has used her platform as an author to humanize her grandfather, reflecting on the idea that few options in life may have led him down an "unfortunate path." Her book paints a picture of a devoted husband and loving grandfather who would take his grandson, Sonny, to baseball games, a stark contrast to the "Scarface" persona. The family’s choice to auction the estate was, in many ways, a final act of closure—a way to divest themselves of the physical reminders of a man whose legend overshadows their own lives. By selling the estate, they have allowed the world to own a piece of the history, while finally giving themselves the space to fully embrace their own private lives, free from the constant presence of their infamous family legacy. Today, the focus for the Capone descendants is clearly on privacy, education, and managing the historical narrative of their family with dignity and honesty.
al capone grandchildren
al capone grandchildren

Detail Author:

  • Name : Rene Carroll
  • Username : cschneider
  • Email : kaia.hayes@hotmail.com
  • Birthdate : 1971-02-11
  • Address : 520 Jaeden Lane Suite 145 Port Devan, VT 91824
  • Phone : 570.470.8637
  • Company : Orn Ltd
  • Job : Prosthodontist
  • Bio : Numquam quae expedita placeat nulla voluptate aut qui. Officia corrupti enim sed rem dolores. Esse sint neque velit. Voluptatibus est optio quis quod modi rerum sed.

Socials

linkedin:

twitter:

  • url : https://twitter.com/walker2020
  • username : walker2020
  • bio : Blanditiis similique ratione veniam assumenda est laudantium. Quis reprehenderit minima perferendis enim delectus.
  • followers : 4265
  • following : 211

Random Posts