John Gotti, infamously known as the “Dapper Don,” was the head of the Gambino crime family, but beyond his criminal empire, he was also a father to five children: Angela, Victoria, John Angelo, Frank, and Peter. Gotti Sr.’s life was deeply entrenched in “the streets,” a world he prioritized even over his family, as described by his son John Angelo. While John Gotti Sr. passed away in prison in 2002, his influence continues to resonate through his children and grandchildren, including figures like Peter Gotti Jr., who have navigated life under the shadow of his notorious legacy. This article delves into the lives of John Gotti’s children, exploring their paths and experiences.
Angela “Angel” Gotti
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Angela Gotti attending Manhattan Federal Court in 2006, showcasing family support during legal proceedings.
Born in 1961, Angela “Angel” Gotti is the eldest daughter of John Gotti Sr. and Victoria DiGiorgio. Maintaining a more private life compared to her siblings, Angela is still active on social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter). There, she shares glimpses of her family life, including her two children, Frankie Gotti Albano and Victoria Gotti Albano, from her past relationship with Louis Albano.
Angela has been a vocal defender of her family, especially against media portrayals she deemed unfair. In 2001, she launched a website to counter stories about her father during his imprisonment and health struggles. Her unwavering support was also evident during her brother John Angelo’s trials, where she was seen attending court dates and expressing emotional reactions to recordings of her father. “I don’t like to hear my father talking,” she stated in a 2009 interview with The New York Post, highlighting the pain of revisiting her deceased father’s voice.
Venturing into entrepreneurship, Angela launched Angel Gotti Footwear in 2013. Her line featured handcrafted flip-flops and sandals adorned with beads, crystals, and ribbons. She described the intricate process of creating each pair, emphasizing the hours of work involved and her plans to expand into handbags. While she generally stays out of the limelight today, Angela remains supportive of her family’s endeavors, including her nephew’s boxing career, demonstrating enduring family bonds.
Victoria Gotti
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Portrait of Victoria Gotti, daughter of John Gotti, reflecting her public persona and family legacy.
Victoria Gotti, born in 1962, is the second child of John Gotti Sr. and Victoria DiGiorgio. Raised in Howard Beach, Queens, Victoria has been more publicly visible than her sister Angela. In a 2019 interview with PEOPLE, she shared a formative childhood memory illustrating her father’s emphasis on resilience. Recounting a time she fell and cried, she remembered her father’s words: “Remember, Victoria: We don’t fall. We bounce, you hear me?” This anecdote encapsulates the tough persona John Gotti cultivated and instilled in his children.
In 1984, Victoria married Carmine Agnello, who was also associated with the Gambino crime family. They have three sons: Carmine Gotti Agnello Jr., John Gotti Agnello, and Frank Gotti Agnello. Victoria has established herself as an author, with her first book, Women and Mitral Valve Prolapse, published in 1995, drawing from her personal experience with the condition. She further expanded her literary work with novels like The Senator’s Daughter, I’ll Be Watching You, and Superstar, alongside a cookbook, Hot Italian Dish, and a memoir, This Family of Mine: What It Was Like Growing Up Gotti.
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A father-daughter moment: John Gotti with Victoria Gotti, highlighting their close relationship amidst a complex family life.
Beyond writing, Victoria has worked as a reporter for WNYW (Fox 5 New York) and as a columnist for the New York Post. Her life took a dramatic turn when her husband, Carmine Agnello, faced federal racketeering and tax evasion charges in 2000. Carmine pleaded guilty and received a nine-year prison sentence and a $10 million forfeiture. Victoria and Carmine divorced in 2003.
Following her divorce, Victoria and her sons starred in the reality TV show Growing Up Gotti in 2004. She later appeared on Celebrity Apprentice in 2012. In recent years, Victoria co-wrote and produced a Lifetime biopic about her life, Victoria Gotti: My Father’s Daughter. Reflecting on her father, she told PEOPLE, “When we were much younger, he would say, ‘You can’t put a price on freedom. Every day you’re free you should live life as if it’s your last.’ ” Today, Victoria maintains an active presence on social media, celebrating her children and expanding family.
John Angelo Gotti (John Gotti Jr.)
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John Gotti Jr. at a public event in New York City, illustrating his life navigating public and private spheres.
Born in 1964, John Angelo Gotti, also known as John Gotti Jr., followed his father’s path into the Gambino crime family. He was inducted in 1988, a moment he described to 60 Minutes as “the proudest moment of [his] life.” He openly stated his deep admiration for his father: “My father was my cause. If my father wasn’t in that life, I probably wouldn’t have been in the street life either. Whatever he was is what I wanted to be.”
When John Gotti Sr. was imprisoned in 1992, John Angelo and his uncle Peter Gotti stepped up as de facto leaders, although reports indicated they still received orders from Gotti Sr. In 1998, John Angelo faced charges including extortion and fraud, leading to a plea agreement involving a prison sentence and a substantial fine. Legal troubles continued to shadow him in subsequent years.
In 2015, John Angelo released his memoir, Shadow of My Father, detailing his experiences growing up as John Gotti’s son. This memoir served as the basis for the 2018 film Gotti, starring John Travolta as his father. John Angelo married Kimberly Gotti in 1990, and they have six children, including John Gotti III, who has gained attention as a mixed martial arts fighter. John Angelo Gotti’s life story reflects the complex dynamic of living in the shadow of a powerful and infamous father, trying to forge his own identity while being inextricably linked to the Gotti name.
Frank Gotti
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A family portrait featuring Victoria Gotti, John Gotti Jr., and Frank Gotti, capturing a moment of familial connection.
Born in 1967, Frank Gotti’s life was tragically cut short at the age of 12. He died on March 18, 1980, after being struck by a car. Details of his death are recounted in Victoria Gotti’s memoir, This Family of Mine. According to her account, Frank was riding a minibike near a construction site when a neighbor, John Favara, accidentally ran him over. Police investigations ruled the incident an accident, and no charges were filed against Favara.
However, four months later, John Favara disappeared and was reportedly murdered. News reports and court papers have suggested that Favara was shot and his body disposed of, although these allegations remain largely unconfirmed in official records. Frank Gotti’s untimely death remains a somber chapter in the Gotti family history, highlighting the tragedies that intersected with their notorious lifestyle.
Peter Gotti
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Peter Gotti photographed in New York City, representing his efforts to maintain a lower profile compared to his siblings.
Peter Gotti, the youngest child of John Gotti Sr., has generally maintained a lower public profile compared to his siblings. He and his wife, Tricia Gotti, own Rebel Ink Tattoo & Piercing parlors, with locations in Queens and Long Island, New York. This venture marks a departure from the overt crime family narrative, showcasing a step into legitimate business. Peter and Tricia have five children.
In 2017, Peter Gotti Jr., or rather Peter Gotti’s son John Gotti (John Gotti III’s cousin and John Gotti Sr.’s grandson), faced serious legal consequences. He was sentenced to eight years in prison for narcotics possession and intent to sell. Peter Gotti expressed deep sorrow and paternal support at the time, telling reporters, “My heart is wherever he winds up… I love my son with all my heart.” He added, expressing hope for his son’s future, “He will be fine, he is a strong kid. He will be fine. He will come out a much better man than he went in.”
The following year, Peter’s son John faced further legal issues, receiving a five-year prison sentence for arson. Half of this sentence was to be served concurrently with his drug sentence. These events underscore the ongoing challenges faced by the Gotti family across generations, as they grapple with the repercussions of their family’s history while navigating their own paths. While Peter Gotti Jr.‘s generation seeks to establish themselves, the shadow of the Gotti legacy continues to influence their lives.
In conclusion, the children of John Gotti have each navigated their lives in distinct ways under the weight of their father’s notorious legacy. From Angela’s private defense of her family and entrepreneurial ventures, to Victoria’s public life as an author and media personality, to John Angelo’s direct involvement and subsequent memoir, and Peter’s step into entrepreneurship and familial legal challenges, their stories paint a complex picture of family, legacy, and identity. The experiences of figures like Peter Gotti Jr., representing the next generation, further illustrate the enduring impact of John Gotti’s life and choices on his family.
