The story of the five New York Mafia families

For much of the 20th century, the criminal underworld of New York City was dominated by a powerful and highly organized network of Mafia families. These organizations, deeply rooted in secrecy, violence, and illicit enterprise, held an iron grip on industries ranging from construction and labor unions to gambling and drug trafficking. The existence and structure of these families remained hidden from public view until 1963, when an insider’s testimony exposed their operations to the world.

Though their golden era lasted only a few decades, the bloody legacy of the Five Families lives on. In this gallery, we explore the fascinating famous families that formed the original "Mob," their power struggles, and the rise and fall of "The Commission," the ruling body that sought to maintain order among the Mafia’s most powerful families.

From ruthless bosses and high-profile betrayals to federal crackdowns and internal conflicts, this gallery delves into the key figures, pivotal moments, and ultimate downfall of organized crime’s most notorious syndicate. Click through to get started.

The birth of the Five Families

The formation of the Five Families can be traced back to the tumultuous period of the late 1920s and early 1930s when the Castellammarese War erupted between rival factions within the Italian-American underworld.

The Castellammarese War

The conflict, named after Maranzano's hometown of Castellammare del Golfo in Sicily, took place in New York City. Masseria, a traditionalist who resisted change, found himself at odds with Maranzano, who sought to restructure the Mafia’s operations. 

Omertà

In the Commission’s early days, many members of the Five Families were immigrants from Italy, particularly Sicily. Some had ties to Sicilian crime families, who operated according to a code of honor known as omertà.

The Five Families structure

Each of the Five Families operated with a strict hierarchical structure, maintaining order and secrecy. They had defined territories and a clear organizational hierarchy, reporting to the same governing entity. Pictured is Joseph “Joe Bananas” Bonanno.

Mafia hierarchy

Next were capos, or captains, who controlled various crews of soldiers, the backbone of the organization. At the lowest level were associates, individuals who worked for the Mafia but had not yet been formally inducted. Pictured is Meyer Lansky, who was known as the "Mob's Accountant."

Family top dogs

For the Lucchese Family, Tommy Gagliano was the boss from 1931 to 1951, followed by Tommy "Three-Finger Brown" Lucchese, who led from 1951 to 1967. The Gambino Family had Carlo Gambino as a notable boss from 1957 to 1976 and John Gotti (left) from 1986 to 2002. 

Taking care of business

The families engaged in a variety of criminal enterprises, including loan sharking, extortion, prostitution, gambling, labor racketeering, narcotics trafficking, and contract killings. They infiltrated legitimate businesses, manipulated labor unions, and exerted control over industries.

Fame

For roughly four decades, the Five Families reigned supreme, their influence extending far beyond the criminal world. During this time, figures such as Carlo Gambino, Vito Genovese (pictured), and Joseph Bonanno became household names, synonymous with power and organized crime.

Las Vegas ties

Illegal gambling flourished, loan-sharking operations thrived, and Mafia-controlled unions dictated terms to businesses. The families also established strong connections to the Las Vegas casino industry, skimming millions in untaxed revenue from the growing gambling empire.

Joseph Valachi

Appearing before a US Senate committee, Valachi provided a detailed account of the Mafia’s structure, rituals, and criminal activities. His revelations shocked the public and gave federal authorities a blueprint to dismantle organized crime.

The Mafia Commission Trial of 1986

The RICO Act, combined with aggressive FBI crackdowns in the 1980s and 1990s, led to the arrest and conviction of many high-ranking Mafia bosses. One of the most high-profile cases was the Mafia Commission Trial of 1986, which resulted in the conviction of several top leaders from the Five Families. Pictured is Carlo Gambino in handcuffs.

Salvatore “Sammy the Bull” Gravano

However, his luck ran out in 1992 when his underboss, Salvatore “Sammy the Bull” Gravano, turned state witness, leading to Gotti’s conviction and life sentence.

Modern day Mafia

While the Five Families still exist in New York, they no longer wield the power they once did. The modern-day Mafia operates with far greater discretion, avoiding the high-profile violence and media attention that contributed to its downfall in previous decades. Pictured is Jimmy Hoffa.

Mafia members today

The Mafia today still maintains a presence in certain industries, particularly construction and waste management, but it operates in a much more fragmented and subdued manner than in its heyday. Their influence has been challenged by other criminal organizations, including Eastern European, Latin American, and Asian syndicates. Pictured are the grandchildren of John Gotti.

The Mafia in popular culture

The allure of the Mafia endures in popular culture, from classic films like 'The Godfather' and 'Goodfellas' to modern-day television shows such as 'The Sopranos.' These portrayals keep the mythology of the Five Families alive, ensuring their place in American history and imagination.

New York's Five Families

The story of New York’s Five Families is one of power, ambition, and eventual downfall. From their origins in the bloody gang wars of the 1920s to their heyday as the rulers of the city’s underworld, their influence was vast and undeniable. Pictured is Meyer Lansky.

The demise of the empire

Law enforcement continues to monitor and prosecute organized crime. As society evolved, the once-mighty empire crumbled.