The top 25 richest gangsters of all time: How much are/were they worth?
They say that crime does not pay but looking at the richest gangsters of all time you may question this statement. These criminals are known for fraud, money laundering, and dealing in illegal substances, but the consequences of their deeds either left them dead or suffering for the rest of their lives.
Source: Getty Images
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Key takeaways
- Richest gangsters of all time
- 2. Mary Kay Letourneau - $400,000
- 27. Charles Manson - $400,000
- 26. Frank Lucas - $500,000
- 25. Sammy Gravano - $500,000
- 24. Lee D'Avanzo - $500,000
- 23. Nicky Barnes - $500,000
- 22. Big Meech - $500,000
- 21. Freeway Rick Ross - $1 million
- 20. Hector "Junior" Pagan - $1 million
- 19. Michael Franzese - $4 million
- 18. John Gotti Jr - $10 million
- 17. Ephren Taylor - $10 million
- 16. Frank Abagnale - $10 million
- 15. Paul Castellano - $20 million
- 14. John Gotti - $30 million
- 13. Rayful Edmond - $50 million
- 12. Bugsy Siegel - $100 million
- 11. Al Capone - $100 million
- 10. Jho Low - $150 million
- 9. Joaquín Guzmán (El Chapo) - $1 billion
- 8. Frank Costello - $1 billion
- 7. Adnan Khashoggi - $2 billion
- 6. Griselda Blanco - $2 billion
- 5. Carlos Lehder - $2.7 billion
- 4. Leona Helmsley - $5 billion
- 3. Dawood Ibrahim - $6.7 billion
- 2. Amado Carrillo Fuentes - $25 billion
- 1. Pablo Escobar - $30 billion
- What was Frank Lucas' net worth at his peak?
- Who is the biggest gangster in India?
- Who is the biggest gangster of all time?
- Who is the richest gangster in the world?
- Who is the best gangster man?
- Who is the most powerful gangster alive today?
- When did Fat Tony Salerno's death occur?
- Who is America's most notorious gangster?
- Who are the richest criminals who were never caught?
- Who is the boss of gangsters?
Key takeaways
- The richest gangsters of all time acquired their fortunes through criminal activities and professional pursuits.
- Some of them are serving prison sentences, others have been released, some are dead, and others are fugitives.
- This article explores how famous gangsters acquired their wealth and the consequences of their crimes.
Richest gangsters of all time
This list is based on the net worth of the richest gangsters of all time. Their wealth has been compiled from Celebrity Net Worth and other reliable sources.
| Ranking | Name | Alleged net worth |
| 1 | Pablo Escobar | $30 billion |
| 2 | Amado Carrillo Fuentes | $25 billion |
| 3 | Dawood Ibrahim | $6.7 billion |
| 4 | Leona Helmsley | $5 billion |
| 5 | Carlos Lehder | $2.7 billion |
| 6 | Griselda Blanco | $2 billion |
| 7 | Adnan Khashoggi | $2 billion |
| 8 | Frank Costello | $1 billion |
| 9 | Joaquín Guzmán (El Chapo) | $1 billion |
| 10 | Jho Low | $150 million |
| 11 | Al Capone | $100 million |
| 12 | Bugsy Siegel | $100 million |
| 13 | Rayful Edmond | $50 million |
| 14 | John Gotti | $30 million |
| 15 | Paul Castellano | $20 million |
| 16 | Frank Abagnale | $10 million |
| 17 | Ephren Taylor | $10 million |
| 18 | John Gotti Jr | $10 million |
| 19 | Michael Franzese | $4 million |
| 20 | Hector "Junior" Pagan | $1 million |
| 21 | Freeway Rick Ross | $1 million |
| 22 | Big Meech | $500,000 |
| 23 | Nicky Barnes | $500,000 |
| 24 | Lee D'Avanzo | $500,000 |
| 25 | Sammy Gravano | $500,000 |
This list may be subjective because some famous criminals' net worth is not known in the public domain. Find out how these infamous offenders became wealthy.
2. Mary Kay Letourneau - $400,000
Source: Getty Images
- Full name: Mary Kay Letourneau
- Date of birth: 30 January 1962
- Date of death: 6 July 2020
- Age at death: 58 years
- Place of birth: Des Moines, Washington, USA
Mary Kay Letourneau was a sex offender. She was a teacher who was notorious for having sexual relationships with her underage students. Mary pleaded guilty in 1997 to two counts of felony.
She was charged with second-degree sexual assault of a child. At the time of her death, Mary Kay Letourneau's net worth was alleged to be $400,000. She died of cancer.
27. Charles Manson - $400,000
Source: Getty Images
- Full name: Charles Milles Maddox
- Date of birth: 12 November 1934
- Date of death: 19 November 2017
- Age at death: 83 years
- Place of birth: Bakersfield, California, USA
Charles Manson was a criminal, cult leader, and musician. He led the Manson Family, a cult based in California. He was charged with first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder for the deaths of seven people. Charles Manson's net worth was $400,000 when he died.
26. Frank Lucas - $500,000
Source: Getty Images
- Full name: Frank Lucas
- Date of birth: 9 September 1930
- Date of death: 30 May 2019
- Age at death: 88 years
- Place of birth: La Grange, North Carolina, USA
Frank Lucas dealt with illegal addictive substances and was an organised crime boss. He was probably earning hundreds of millions of dollars when his criminal operations were at their height. Frank Lucas' net worth at death was about $500,000.
25. Sammy Gravano - $500,000
Source: Getty Images
- Full name: Sammy Gravano
- Date of birth: 12 March 1945
- Age: 80 years (as of April 2025)
- Place of birth: Brooklyn, New York, USA
Sammy Gravano joined the Cosa Nostra crime family at 23. Did you know he was a former boss of the New York City-based Gambino crime family, one of the richest organisations back in the day? Gravano committed offences such as hijacking, theft, and armed robbery.
Sammy Gravano is known for helping the Federal Bureau of Investigation to bring down John Gotti. He served his jail term and has since been released. Sammy Gravano's net worth is $500,000.
24. Lee D'Avanzo - $500,000
- Full name: Lee D'Avanzo
- Year of birth: 1969
- Age: 56 years (as of 2025)
Lee D'Avanz was the head of the New Springville Boys, who functioned under the Bonnano and Colombo Crime families. In 2020, he was sentenced to 64 months in prison for multiple firearms possession. Lee D'Avanzo's net worth is $500,000.
23. Nicky Barnes - $500,000
Source: Getty Images
- Full name: Leroy Nicholas Barnes
- Date of birth: 15 October 1933
- Date of death: 18 June 2012
- Age at death: 78 years
- Place of birth: New York City, New York, USA
Nicholas Barnes was a crime boss active in the 1970s. He formed The Council, a seven-man organised crime that controlled a huge part of the drug trade in the Harlem area of New York City. Nicky Barnes' net worth was over $50 million at the height of his career. His wealth decreased to $500 thousand at the time of his death.
22. Big Meech - $500,000
Source: UGC
- Full name: Demetrius Edward Flenory Sr.
- Date of birth: 21 June 1968
- Age: 56 years (as of April 2025)
- Place of birth: Detroit, Michigan, USA
Demetrius Edward Flenory Sr., alias Big Meech, is a convicted drug dealer known for running the Black Mafia family. He pleaded guilty to charges of drug sale and money laundering in 2005 and was sentenced to 30 years in federal prison. Big Meech's net worth is $500 thousand. It was about $100 million at the peak of his career.
21. Freeway Rick Ross - $1 million
Source: Getty Images
- Full name: Ricky Donnell Ross
- Date of birth: 26 January 1960
- Age: 65 years (as of April 2025)
- Place of birth: Terrell, Texas, USA
Freeway Rick Ros is a convicted drug dealer who ran a massive drug empire in Los Angeles. At the peak of his career, he raked in $3 million daily, and his peak net worth was $600 million. He was sentenced to life in prison. He appealed the court's decision and was released in 2009 after 20 years in jail. Freeway Rick Ros' net worth is $1 million.
20. Hector "Junior" Pagan - $1 million
- Full name: Hector Junior Pagan
- Year of birth: 1967
- Age: 57 years (as of March 2024)
- Place of birth: Brooklyn, New York, USA
Hector Junior Pagan is a former associate of the Bonnano crime family. The family is among the richest crime organisations in the world. He has been in and out of prison for his involvement in mob life. Hector Pagan's net worth is about $1 million.
19. Michael Franzese - $4 million
- Full name: Michael Franzese Grillo
- Date of birth: 27 May 1951
- Age: 73 years (as of April 2025)
- Place of birth: Brooklyn, New York, USA
Michael Franzese is a former mobster and the captain of the Colombo crime family. He was indicted on 14 counts of racketeering, extortion, and counterfeiting. This resulted in a 10-year prison sentence and a restitution of $14 million. Michael Franzese's net worth is about $4 million.
18. John Gotti Jr - $10 million
- Full name: John Angelo Gotti
- Date of birth: 14 February 1964
- Age: 61 years (as of April 2025)
- Place of birth: Queens, New York, USA
John Gotti Jr is a former mobster known for being the boss of the Gambino family between 1992 and 1999. He took over after his father, John Gambino, was sentenced to prison. He was charged with four racketeering charges that ended in mistrials because no conviction was made. He is no longer associated with crime. John Gotti Jr's net worth is $10 million.
17. Ephren Taylor - $10 million
Source: UGC
- Full name: Ephren Taylor II
- Date of birth: 17 July 1982
- Age: 44 years (as of April 2025)
- Place of birth: USA
Former criminal Ephren Taylor is a businessman who obtained wealth mainly from fraudulent operations. He has since become a successful entrepreneur, investor, and philanthropist. Ephren Taylor's net worth is estimated to be $10 million.
16. Frank Abagnale - $10 million
Source: Getty Images
- Full name: Frank William Abagnale Jr
- Date of birth: 27 April 1948
- Age: 77 years (as of April 2025)
- Place of birth: The Bronx, New York, USA
Frank Abagnale is a security consultant. Frank Abagnale's net worth at the height of his career was $10 million. He is infamous for his history as a former impostor with more than eight identities. He was arrested and served a 10-year prison sentence between 1970 and 1980.
15. Paul Castellano - $20 million
Source: Getty Images
- Full name: Constantino Paul Castellano
- Date of birth: 26 June 1915
- Date of death: 16 December 1985
- Age at death: 70 years
- Place of birth: New York City, New York, USA
Paul Castellano was a mafia boss who died in 1985. He was the head of the Gambino crime family, one of the richest criminal organisations after Carlo Gambino. Paul Castellano's net worth was $20 million at the time of his death.
14. John Gotti - $30 million
Source: Getty Images
- Full name: John Joseph Gotti
- Date of birth: 27 October 1940
- Date of death: 10 June 2002
- Age at death: 61 years
- Place of birth: St. John Cemetery, Queens, New York City, USA
John Gotti was the boss of New York's Gambino crime family. He was convicted of numerous criminal offences in 1992. He passed away in 2002 at 61. At the time of his death, John Gotti's net worth was about $30 million.
13. Rayful Edmond - $50 million
- Full name: Rayful Edmond III
- Date of birth: 26 November 1964
- Date of death: 17 December 2024
- Age at death: 60 years
- Place of birth: Washington, DC, USA
Rayful Edmond was a former drug lord who is still ranked among the top 10 richest gangsters in the world. He was well-known in the '80s. He was arrested in 1989 and sentenced to two life terms, although he later struck a deal with law enforcement officers to become a government informant. Rayful Edmond's net worth was about $50 million when he died.
12. Bugsy Siegel - $100 million
Source: Getty Images
- Full name: Bugsy Siegel
- Date of birth: 28 February 1906
- Date of death: 20 June 1947
- Age at death: 47 years
- Place of birth: Brooklyn, New York, USA
Busy Siegel was a mobster who led one of the most feared criminal gangs of his time. Siegel, who was influential in the National Crime Syndicate, died in 1947. Bugsy Siegel's net worth was about $100 million when he died.
11. Al Capone - $100 million
Source: Getty Images
- Full name: Alphonse Gabriel Capone
- Date of birth: 17 January 1899
- Date of death: 25 January 1947
- Age of death: 48 years
- Place of birth: New York City, USA
Al Capone was the boss of Chicago Outfit, an organised crime syndicate. He was charged with possessing a concealed weapon and tax evasion, leading to an 11-year sentence. Al Capone's net worth was about $7 million at death, which is today's equivalent of about $100 million. He allegedly forgot where he stashed his riches shortly before his death.
10. Jho Low - $150 million
Source: Getty Images
- Full name: Low Taek Jho
- Date of birth: 4 November 1981
- Age: 43 years (as of April 2025)
- Place of birth: George Town, Penang, Malaysia
Jho Low is a Malaysian fugitive businessman and criminal. He is one of the top 10 richest gangsters in the world in 2025. He is a wanted man for allegedly masterminding a global scheme that embezzled $4.5 billion from the Malaysian sovereign wealth fund. Jho Low's net worth is about $150 million.
9. Joaquín Guzmán (El Chapo) - $1 billion
Source: Getty Images
- Full name: Joaquín Archivaldo Guzmán Loera
- Date of birth: 4 April 1957
- Age: 68 years (as of April 2025)
- Place of birth: La Tuna, Badiraguato Municipality, Sinaloa, Mexico
Joaquín Guzmán, famously known as El Chapo, is one of the billionaire gangsters today. He is a former drug kingpin. El Chapo is known as the former Sinaloa Drug Cartel head who masterminded a large-scale drug-selling syndicate between Mexico and the USA.
Guzmán was nabbed in 2014. He escaped from prison in 2015 and was re-arrested in 2016. The criminal was sentenced to life in prison plus 30 years. El Chapo's peak net worth was $1 billion before his arrest.
8. Frank Costello - $1 billion
Source: Getty Images
- Full name: Francesco Castiglia
- Date of birth: 26 January 1891
- Date of death: 18 February 1973
- Age at death: 82 years
- Place of birth: Cassano allo Ionio, Italy
Frank Costello was one of the billionaire gangsters in the world. He was an Italian-American Mafia leader. Frank Costello's net worth peaked at $1 billion at the time of his death in 1973. He ran one of the wealthiest crime organisations, which generated $60 billion in revenue at its peak.
7. Adnan Khashoggi - $2 billion
Source: Getty Images
- Full name: Adnan Khashoggi
- Date of birth: 25 July 1935
- Died: 6 June 2017
- Age at death: 81 years
- Place of birth: Mecca, Saudi Arabia
Adnan Khashoggi was a Saudi Arabian businessman who was once listed as the world's richest person in the '80s. His peak net worth was $4 billion. He was involved in bribery scandals and was later arrested for racketeering and concealing funds.
He was detained for three months and later acquitted by a federal jury. Adnan Khashoggi's net worth was about $2 billion when he died.
6. Griselda Blanco - $2 billion
- Full name: Griselda Blanco Restrepo
- Date of birth: 14 February 1943
- Date of death: 3 September 2012
- Age at death: 69 years
- Place of birth: Cartagena, Bolivar, Colombia
Griselda Blanco from Colombia was commonly known as the Black Widow. Although late, she ranked among the richest female gangsters in the world in 2025. She sold illegal substances in the Medellín Cartel and was sentenced to 10 years in prison before being murdered in 2012. Griselda Blanco's net worth was about $2 billion when she died.
5. Carlos Lehder - $2.7 billion
Source: Getty Images
- Full name: Carlos Enrique Lehder Rivas
- Date of birth: 7 September 1949
- Age: 75 years (as of April 2025)
- Place of birth: Armenia, Colombia
Carlos Lehder is a former German-Colombian drug lord. The co-founder of the Medellín Cartel is ranked among the richest criminals in the world. The cartel ran a massive illegal substance distribution syndicate in the Bahamas. He served a 33-year prison sentence in the USA and was released in 2020. Carlos Lehder's net worth is $2.7 billion and is one of the wealthiest people alive.
4. Leona Helmsley - $5 billion
Source: Getty Images
- Full name: Lena Mindy Rosenthal
- Date of birth: 4 July 1920
- Died: 20 August 2007
- Age at death: 87 years
- Place of birth: Marbletown, New York, USA
Leona Helmsley, alias Queen of Mean, is known as the wealthiest and biggest female gangster in the world today, even though she is deceased. She was a condominium broker and the wife of Harry Helms Helmsley, a multimillionaire real estate investor.
In the late 80s, Leona was convicted of federal income tax evasion. She was sentenced to 16 years in prison but her term was reduced to 19 months. She also did two months of house arrest. Leona Helmsley's net worth was about $5 billion when she passed away.
3. Dawood Ibrahim - $6.7 billion
Source: Getty Images
- Full name: Dawood Ibrahim
- Date of birth: 26 December 1955
- Age at death: 69 years
- Place of birth: Khed, India
For a long time, Dawood Ibrahim was #3 on the FBI's list of the world's 10 most wanted fugitives. He was named a global terrorist by both India and the U.S. in 2003 for his role in the 1993 Bombay bombings. Dawood Ibrahim's net worth is estimated at $6.7 billion.
2. Amado Carrillo Fuentes - $25 billion
- Full name: Amado Carrillo Fuentes
- Date of birth: 17 December 1956
- Died: July 1997
- Age at death: 40 years
- Place of birth: Navolato, Mexico
Amado Carrillo Fuentes was a famous Mexican drug lord who had a peak net worth of $25 billion. He was known for employing new, sophisticated technology in his criminal operations. Amado Carrillo Fuentes died after a botched plastic surgery operation.
1. Pablo Escobar - $30 billion
Source: Getty Images
- Full name: Pablo Emilio Escobar Gaviria
- Date of birth: 1 December 1949
- Died: 2 December 1993
- Age at death: 44 years
- Place of birth: Rionegro, Colombia
The late Pablo Escobar is known as the wealthiest and biggest gangster in the world today. He was a drug kingpin who had an all-time peak net worth of $30 billion. Pablo Escobar ran one of the most infamous and violent drug cartels in history, The Medellin Drug Cartel.
What was Frank Lucas' net worth at his peak?
Frank Lucas' net worth at his peak is not known, but he raked in millions of dollars from crime. He was worth about $500 thousand when he died in 2019.
Who is the biggest gangster in India?
The biggest Indian gangsters include Dawood Ibrahim, Chhota Rajan, Arun Gawli, Ashwin Naik, Varadarajan Mudaliar, Karim Lala, Haji Mastan, Abu Salem, Ravi Pujari, and Ejaz Lakdawala.
Who is the biggest gangster of all time?
The biggest gangsters in the world include Al Capone, Lucky Luciano, Carlo Gambino, Bugsy Siegel, and Vincent Gigante.
Who is the richest gangster in the world?
Leona Helmsley, alias Queen of Mean, is known as the wealthiest gangster in the world. She was worth about $5 billion when she died in 2007.
Who is the best gangster man?
The world's biggest gangsters and mobsters include Al Capone, Lucky Luciano, Carlo Gambino, Bugsy Siegel, and Vincent Gigante.
Who is the most powerful gangster alive today?
Joaquín Guzmán, alias El Chapo, is arguably the most powerful gangster alive today. He is known as the former Sinaloa Drug Cartel head who masterminded a large-scale drug-selling syndicate between Mexico and the USA. His activities are limited because he is in prison.
When did Fat Tony Salerno's death occur?
Anthony "Fat Tony" Salerno died on 27 July 1992 in Springfield, Missouri, United States at 80. He was an American mobster who served as underboss and front boss of the Genovese crime family in New York City.
Who is America's most notorious gangster?
Al Capone is widely considered America's most notorious criminal.
Who are the richest criminals who were never caught?
It is challenging to identify the richest criminals who were never caught because their net worth may not be in the public domain.
Who is the boss of gangsters?
Capocrimine, rappresentante, or godfather, is the highest level in a crime family or the boss of gangsters.
The richest gangsters of all time amassed plenty of wealth and cash from conducting illegal activities. Most of them were arrested and convicted. Some are alive, while others are deceased.
Yen.com.gh recently published a list of the richest people in Ghana. Many people are curious to know the richest man in Ghana.
The West African nation has high-net-worth individuals, from Charles Ampofo to Ernesto Taricone and Dr. Kwame Addo Kuffuor, people who have invested in multiple sectors, locally and internationally. Their investments have contributed to Ghana's economic growth.
Source: YEN.com.gh
Cyprine Apindi (Lifestyle writer) Cyprine Apindi is a content creator and educator with over six years of experience. She holds a Diploma in Mass Communication and a Bachelor’s degree in Nutrition and Dietetics from Kenyatta University. Cyprine joined Briefly.co.za in mid-2021, covering multiple topics, including finance, entertainment, sports, and lifestyle. In 2023, she finished the AFP course on Digital Investigation Techniques. She received the 2023 Writer of the Year Award. In 2024, she completed the Google News Initiative course. Email: cyprineapindi@gmail.com
Tatiana Thiga (Lifestyle writer) Tatiana Thiga is a content creator who joined Yen in 2022. She is an English literature graduate from Kenyatta University. She has amassed sufficient knowledge working on a variety of topics, including biographies, fashion and lifestyles, guides, and more. In 2023, Tatiana finished the AFP course on Digital Investigation Techniques. You can reach her at tatianathiga@gmail.com
