Kray Twins – Complete Biography of Ronnie and Reggie Kray
Who Were the Kray Twins?
Ronald “Ronnie” Kray and Reginald “Reggie” Kray were identical twin gangsters from London’s East End who became the most notorious organized-crime figures in Britain in the 1950s and 1960s. They built a violent criminal empire called “the Firm”, were convicted of murder in 1969, and both died after long prison terms: Ronnie in 1995 and Reggie in 2000.
Born on 24 October 1933 in Haggerston, the twins grew up in Bethnal Green. Both had early boxing ambitions before criminal records and dishonourable discharges ended any chance of a legitimate boxing or military career. After turning to crime full-time, they ran protection rackets, gambling operations, assaults, arson, armed robbery, truck hijacking, and extortion, while acquiring clubs and properties in London.
Key Insights
- The Kray twins became celebrities in the 1960s, blurring the line between gangster and pop culture icon.
- Their criminal empire was built on fear, violence, and protection rackets, but also on connections with politicians and entertainers.
- Ronnie was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia, affecting his behaviour and the twins’ operations.
- Reggie’s marriage to Frances Shea ended in tragedy, influencing public sympathy.
- The twins’ arrest in 1968 marked the end of an era for the London underworld.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Names | Ronald ‘Ronnie’ Kray, Reginald ‘Reggie’ Kray |
| Born | 24 October 1933, Haggerston, London |
| Died | Ronnie: 17 March 1995 (Broadmoor Hospital); Reggie: 1 October 2000 (Norwich Prison) |
| Crimes | Murder (Jack McVitie, George Cornell), armed robbery, arson, fraud, protection rackets |
| Prison Sentences | Both sentenced to life imprisonment (minimum 30 years) in 1969 |
| Net Worth (estimated) | At peak: ~£5 million (1960s); no significant wealth at death |
| Notable Associates | Charlie Kray (brother), ‘Mad’ Frankie Fraser, Freddie Foreman, the Richardson Gang |
| Cultural Impact | Inspired films (‘Legend’, ‘The Krays’), books, and numerous documentaries |
What Crimes Did the Kray Twins Commit?
The twins ran a protection racket across East London, demanding money from club owners, shopkeepers, and bookmakers. They also operated gambling halls, engaged in armed robbery, truck hijacking, arson, and extortion. Their most infamous crimes were the murders of George Cornell and Jack “the Hat” McVitie.
The Murder of George Cornell
On 9 March 1966, Ronnie Kray walked into the Blind Beggar pub in Whitechapel and shot George Cornell, a member of a rival gang, in the head. Cornell had allegedly insulted Ronnie. The killing cemented the twins’ reputation for lethal violence.
The Murder of Jack “the Hat” McVitie
On 28 October 1967, Reggie Kray killed Jack McVitie, a former associate, during a party. The murder was particularly brutal – McVitie was stabbed repeatedly – and became a central piece of evidence at trial.
The twins were suspected of involvement in the disappearance of Frank Mitchell (“the Mad Axeman”) and other unsolved killings, but these were never proven in court. The exact number of murders tied to the Krays remains uncertain.
How Were the Kray Twins Arrested?
Detective Superintendent Leonard “Nipper” Read led a dedicated police operation that gathered evidence over months. On 8 May 1968, the twins were arrested along with 18 others. Following a trial in 1969, both were convicted of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment with a 30-year minimum recommendation. The mandatory death penalty for murder had been abolished four years earlier, so they avoided execution.
How Did the Kray Twins Die?
Ronnie Kray was certified insane and transferred to Broadmoor Hospital in 1979. He died there of a heart attack on 17 March 1995. Reggie Kray remained in prison until August 2000, when he was released on compassionate grounds after being diagnosed with terminal bladder cancer. He died eight weeks later, on 1 October 2000, in Norwich Prison.
Are the Kray Twins Still Alive?
No. Both died in the 1990s and 2000s. Their deaths ended the last chapter of a criminal saga that spanned four decades.
Ronnie Kray is buried at Chingford Mount Cemetery in London. Reggie Kray’s ashes were scattered at sea off the coast of Sussex. No public gravesite exists for Reggie.
What Are the Best Books and Movies About the Kray Twins?
Their story has been told through multiple films, books, and documentaries. The most notable film is The Krays (1990), starring Gary Kemp as Ronnie and Martin Kemp as Reggie, which covers their rise and fall in London’s underworld. More recently, the film Legend (2015) also dramatised their lives. For those curious about the actor who played Reggie, see How Old Is Martin Kemp.
Best Books
One key autobiographical account is Our Story, written by Ronald and Reginald Kray themselves, offering a first-hand perspective. Other recommended biographies include The Krays: The Final Word by James Morton, based on interviews and police files, and My Story by Reggie Kray (with Peter Gerrard).
Documentaries and Netflix
Several documentaries cover the twins’ protection rackets, celebrity image, and the Cornell and McVitie murders. While there is no dedicated Netflix series as of 2025, a new series is reportedly in development. For documentary viewing, search for “The Krays: Deadly Brothers” (BBC) or other YouTube compilations.
Dramatised films often take creative liberties. For example, The Krays (1990) and Legend (2015) compress timelines and alter facts for narrative effect. Those seeking strict accuracy should consult biographies and court records rather than films.
What Was the Kray Twins’ Personal Life and Net Worth?
Who Was Reggie Kray?
Reginald “Reggie” Kray was the more business-minded of the twins. He married Frances Shea in 1965, but the marriage quickly deteriorated due to his criminal lifestyle and temper. Frances died in 1967 from a sleeping-pill overdose, ruled suicide.
Who Was Ronnie Kray?
Ronald “Ronnie” Kray was openly violent and diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia. He spent his final years in Broadmoor Hospital. His mental health issues influenced the twins’ operations and public perception.
What Happened to Frances Shea?
Frances Shea married Reggie at 22 but suffered severe depression and made multiple suicide attempts. She died in 1967, aged 27, from a barbiturate overdose. The tragedy later fuelled public sympathy for Reggie.
Who Were the Kray Twins’ Associates?
Their network included brother Charlie Kray, “Mad” Frankie Fraser, Freddie Foreman, and the Richardson Gang. Many associates later turned informant, helping the police build the case that brought down the twins.
What Was the Kray Twins’ Net Worth?
Their wealth is difficult to state precisely because it was built through illegal enterprises and hidden assets. At their peak in the 1960s, estimates range from £5 million to £10 million – though these are speculative. No reliable audited figure exists. Both died with minimal assets, as most money was spent, hidden, or seized.
Where Did the Kray Twins Operate in London?
The twins’ empire was centred on East London, particularly Bethnal Green – where they grew up – as well as Hackney, Whitechapel, and the West End. Their clubs, such as Esmeralda’s Barn in Knightsbridge and the Kray-owned Regency Club, served as fronts for criminal activity and places to socialise with celebrities.
Key Locations
- Blind Beggar pub (Whitechapel): Site of Ronnie’s murder of George Cornell.
- Bethnal Green: Childhood home and early criminal base.
- Esmeralda’s Barn (Knightsbridge): A nightclub they ran as a base for operations.
- Walthamstow: Location of another Kray gambling club.
Key Events in the Kray Twins’ Lives
- – Birth of Ronnie and Reggie Kray in Haggerston, East London.
- – Start of amateur boxing careers; begin involvement in petty crime.
- – National Service; imprisoned for striking an officer and desertion.
- – Build criminal empire with nightclubs, protection rackets, and violence.
- – Reggie marries Frances Shea; marriage deteriorates quickly.
- – Ronnie murders George Cornell in the Blind Beggar pub.
- – Reggie murders Jack ‘the Hat’ McVitie.
- – Arrested along with 18 others in a major police operation.
- – Sentenced to life imprisonment with a 30-year minimum recommendation.
- – Frances Shea commits suicide (age 27).
- – Ronnie Kray dies of a heart attack in Broadmoor Hospital.
- – Reggie Kray dies of bladder cancer in Norwich Prison.
What We Know vs. What Is Speculated
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Both twins were convicted of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment. | Precise net worth at peak is debated; some sources claim up to £10 million, others much less. |
| Ronnie was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia and spent years in Broadmoor. | Involvement in the disappearance of Frank Mitchell is not proven in court. |
| Reggie died in prison; Ronnie died in Broadmoor. | Allegations of corruption and ties to politicians are disputed. |
| Their criminal network was dismantled after the 1968 arrests. | The exact number of murders committed by the twins remains unclear. |
Analysis: The Kray Twins in Context
The Kray twins rose to prominence during a period of social change in 1960s Britain, where gangsters could mix with celebrities and royalty. Their carefully cultivated public image as ‘gentleman gangsters’ was at odds with their violent methods. Their reign ended with a concerted police effort and the testimony of former associates, reflecting a shift in public tolerance for organised crime. The twins’ legacy is complex: they are simultaneously remembered as brutal criminals and as nostalgic figures of a lost East End culture. Today, the Kray story continues to fascinate through film, television, and guided tours, raising questions about the glamorisation of crime.
Key Sources and Quotations
“They were the last of the old-time gangsters, but also the first of the celebrity criminals.”
– Professor Dick Hobbs, criminologist
Primary sources for this article include Wikipedia: Kray Twins (comprehensive reference), London Museum: The Kray Twins (authoritative museum article), The National Archives: 1960s Crime Sessions (primary source documents), Britannica: Kray Twins (encyclopedic entry), Findmypast: The Kray Family Tree (genealogical records), YouTube documentary on the Kray twins, IMDB: The Krays (1990), and The Yard Crime Blog: Our Story book review.
Continuing Interest in the Kray Twins
Interest in the Kray twins shows no signs of fading. A new Netflix series is reportedly in development as of 2025. Historians continue to examine police files for unsolved crimes linked to the firm. Walking tours of Kray locations in East London remain popular with tourists. Their legal legacy also influenced UK organised crime legislation and policing methods. Readers interested in the boxing background of the twins may find the Live Boxing on TV – UK Schedule Tonight and Upcoming useful for following modern fights.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long were the Kray twins in prison?
Both were sentenced to life imprisonment in 1969 with a minimum of 30 years. Ronnie died in Broadmoor in 1995 after 26 years; Reggie served 31 years and died in prison in 2000.
Where are the Kray twins buried?
Ronnie Kray is buried at Chingford Mount Cemetery in London. Reggie Kray’s ashes were scattered at sea off the coast of Sussex.
Were the Kray twins hitmen?
They were not professional hitmen but rather gang leaders who personally committed murders to maintain control and eliminate rivals.
What happened to Frances Shea?
Frances Shea married Reggie Kray in 1965 but suffered from depression and attempted suicide. She died in 1967 from an overdose of sleeping pills, officially ruled suicide.
What is the Kray twins’ connection to Bethnal Green?
The twins were born and grew up in Bethnal Green and Haggerston, and many of their early criminal activities were centered in that area.
Did the Kray twins have a legitimate business?
They owned nightclubs and properties that operated legally as fronts, but most of their income came from illegal activities such as protection rackets and gambling.
What was the name of the Kray twins’ criminal organisation?
They called their network “the Firm”, which included associates and enforcers who carried out intimidation, violence, and other crimes.
Did the Kray twins ever serve in the military?
Both were conscripted during National Service but were imprisoned after striking an officer and deserting. They were dishonourably discharged.
How are the Kray twins remembered today?
They are remembered both as brutal gangsters and as iconic figures of 1960s London, with their story continuing to be retold in films, books, and guided tours.
Is there a Netflix documentary on the Kray twins?
As of 2025, there is no dedicated Netflix series, but a new production is reportedly in development. Several BBC and independent documentaries are available.
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