Salvatore Gravano, also known as Sammy the Bull, is famous as one of the most notorious figures in organized crime in America.
His fame was further cemented during his tenure as a henchman of the Gambino crime family, one of the most powerful organizations in New York.
Sammy’s disgrace reached its peak, and Sammy became a government informant, providing testimony that led to the conviction of John Gotti, his former boss, and many other high-ranking mobsters.
His story of betrayal and cooperation with law enforcement marked an important turning point in the history of organized crime in the United States.
File
- Full name: Salvatore Gravano
- Nickname: Sammy the Bull
- Date of birth: March 12, 1945
- Age: 79 years old
- Gender: Male
- Place of birth: Brooklyn, New York, USA
- Nationality: American
- Occupation: Former gangster, author, podcaster
- Height: Not applicable
- Parents: Giorlando Gravano, Caterina Gravano
- Siblings: Two older sisters
- Spouse: Divorced (ex-wife Debra Scibetta)
- Children: Karen Gravano, Gerard Gravano
- Relationship status: Single
- Religion: Roman Catholic
- Ethnicity: Italian-American
- Net worth: 2 million USD
Early life and education
Sammy Gravano was born on March 12, 1945 in Brooklyn, New York, to Giorlando and Caterina Gravano, Sicilian immigrants. His father ran a small garment factory, and his mother managed the housework.
Sammy, now 79, grew up in Bensonhurst, a predominantly Italian-American neighborhood. He had difficulty learning due to dyslexia, and was often labeled a “slow learner” by his teachers. Thi’s frustration contributed to his aggressive nature, leading to conflicts with friends and even school staff.
After being kicked out of several schools, Sammy attended a school for troubled youth but dropped out before turning 16. Despite his father’s efforts to ensure discipline, including Despite going to church regularly, Sammy still gravitates toward street life.
At age 13, he joined a gang called the Rampers, marking the beginning of his criminal trajectory. In 1964, Gravano was drafted into the United States Army, serving two years as a cook at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, before being honorably discharged.
Personal life
Sammy Gravano married Debra Scibetta in 1971. Together they had two children: Karen Gravano, who later gained attention on the reality TV show Mob Wives, and Gerard Gravano, who faced legal problems related to drug trafficking. The marriage broke down amid Gravano’s increasing involvement and eventual cooperation with the authorities.
In the years following his testimony, Gravano entered the Witness Protection Program but struggled to adjust to life outside of crime, leading to deeper legal entanglements. Despite these challenges, he has maintained a private personal life in recent years.
Career
Sammy Gravano’s Crime CarGravano for petty crimes like robbery and armed robbery. By the late 1960s, he joined the Colombo crime family but later switched allegiance to the Gambino family to avoid internal conflicts. Gravano quickly rose through the ranks, becoming a trusted enforcer and eventually subordinate to John Gotti.
Gravano was instrumental in the murder of Paul Castellano in 1985, paving the way for Gotti to come to power. However, their relationship soured and in 1991, Gravano became a government witness.
His testimony led to Gotti’s conviction and dealt a significant blow to Mafia activity. Mafia’s sentence was reduced, Gravano tried to reintegrate into civilian life but was arrested again in 2000 for running a drug ring. Launched in 2017, he launched a podcast sharing his life experiences.
Net worth
Sammy Gravano’s net worth is $2 million. This wealth primarily came from his book sales, construction business, and podcast business, although significant amounts of his income were lost due to legal settlements and incarceration.
Argumentative
Gravano’s life was entirely controversial. His involvement in 19 murders, including that of his brother-in-law, Nicholas Scibetta, highlights his ruthless nature. His betrayal of John Gotti and cooperation with law enforcement shocked the Mafia world, earning him both admiration and hatred.
In 2000, Gravano was arrested for drug trafficking, which further tarnished his reputation. He pleaded guilty to running an ecstasy ring in Arizona, leading to a 20-year prison sentence.
Additionally, his book Underboss sparked legal challenges, including a $25 million lawsuit from the victim’s family and an attempt to profit from his criminal past.
Social Media
- Instagram: Not applicable
- Twitter: Not applicable
Book
- Underboss: Sammy the Bull Gravano’s Mafia Story by LifGravano
