Stories revolving around the Mafia have captured America’s attention through critically acclaimed movies and TV shows, documentaries and memoirs. However, not many organized crime families have gained the public’s attention quite like the Gottis.
Patriarch John Gotti Sr.—also known as the “Teflon Don” and “Dapper Don”—quickly rose to power in the 1980s and became the leader of New York City’s infamous Gambino crime family. Because of his fashion sense, public trials and ability to get out of trouble, Gotti became one of the most well-known figures in the American Mafia.
In the years following Gotti’s 1992 conviction, the Gotti family’s public image began to evolve, as they used books, reality TV shows, interviews, documentaries and social media to share their perspective on their family’s infamous history. Even though some sought to distance themselves from organized crime, a few Gotti relatives have continued to stay in the spotlight as they've faced legal trouble over the years.