Reggie Kray – The Life, Crimes and Legacy of a Notorious Gangster
Reggie Kray remains one of the most infamous figures in British criminal history. As one half of the Kray twins, he ruled London’s East End underworld with his brother Ronnie during the 1950s and 1960s. But behind the “gangster chic” image — the sharp suits, the distinctive glasses, the cane — was a complex man whose life veered from violent crime to celebrity status, from marriage to tragedy, and finally to a long prison sentence and a deathbed release. Reggie Kray was not just a gangster; he was a product of his time, a man whose story has been told and retold in films, books, and documentaries for over half a century.
Who Was Reggie Kray? Biography and Early Life
Reginald “Reggie” Kray
24 October 1933 – 1 October 2000
170 cm (5 ft 7 in)
Leader of The Firm, Kray Twins gang
- Reggie was the more reserved, business-oriented twin compared with Ronnie’s volatile personality.
- Despite celebrity status in 1960s London, both twins were convicted of murder in 1969 and received life sentences.
- Reggie served 32 years — longer than many violent offenders today — and was released in 2000 on compassionate grounds due to terminal cancer.
- His wife Frances Shea died by suicide in 1967, a trauma that significantly affected Reggie’s later life.
- His distinctive glasses became a style trademark, though no specific prescription details are publicly recorded.
- While imprisoned he wrote dual memoirs, including Our Story (1988) and Born Fighter (1991).
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Birth Name | Reginald Kray |
| Known As | Reggie Kray |
| Born | 24 October 1933, Haggerston, East London, England |
| Died | 1 October 2000, Norwich, Norfolk, England (bladder cancer) |
| Cause of Death | Bladder cancer (terminal release from prison) |
| Height | Approx. 170 cm (5 ft 7 in) |
| Spouse | Frances Shea (m. 1965; died 1967); Roberta Jones (m. 1997) |
| Criminal Sentence | Life imprisonment (30-year minimum) for murder of Jack “the Hat” McVitie |
| Prison Release | 26 August 2000 (compassionate grounds) |
| Twin Brother | Ronald “Ronnie” Kray (1933–1995) |
Reggie Kray’s Wife and Personal Relationships
Reggie Kray married Frances Shea in 1965. The marriage was short and troubled; Frances died by suicide in 1967 at the age of 23. Her death occurred shortly before Reggie murdered Jack McVitie, and the loss is widely regarded as a turning point in his emotional state.
Did Reggie Kray Remarry After Prison?
While still incarcerated, Reggie married Roberta Jones in 1997. The couple remained married until his death in 2000. Roberta was a regular visitor during his final years in prison and supported him after his compassionate release.
Frances Shea was only 24 when she died. Her struggles with the pressures of being married to a high-profile gangster and her subsequent mental health decline have been documented in multiple biographies. Reggie spoke of her death as a lasting regret.
Did Reggie Kray Have Children?
No, Reggie Kray did not have any known children. Neither his marriage to Frances Shea nor his later marriage to Roberta Jones produced offspring.
What Crimes Did the Kray Twins Commit?
Reggie and Ronnie Kray led “The Firm,” a gang that controlled large parts of London’s East End underworld during the 1950s and 1960s. Their criminal activities included armed robberies, extortion, protection rackets, and murder.
The Murder of Jack McVitie
In 1967, Reggie personally stabbed Jack “the Hat” McVitie to death after his gun failed to fire. This killing, along with the 1966 murder of George Cornell (committed by Ronnie), led to the twins’ arrest and conviction at the Old Bailey in 1969.
How Long Was Reggie Kray in Prison?
Reggie was sentenced to life imprisonment with a 30-year non-parole period. He spent 33 years incarcerated before being granted compassionate parole on 26 August 2000 due to terminal bladder cancer. He died 35 days later.
Why Were the Kray Twins Convicted?
The investigation into the Kray twins was one of the largest of its time in Britain. Key witnesses came forward after years of silence, and forensic evidence linked Reggie to the McVitie murder. Ronnie was also convicted for the Cornell shooting.
Reggie’s gun jammed during the attack, and he subsequently used a knife. This level of violence, combined with the public nature of the killing, made conviction almost certain once the case reached court.
How Did Reggie Kray Die? Death and Legacy
Reggie Kray died on 1 October 2000 in Norwich, Norfolk, at the age of 66. The cause of death was terminal bladder cancer. He had been released from prison just 35 days earlier on compassionate grounds.
Where Are the Kray Twins Buried?
Ronnie Kray was buried in Chingford Mount Cemetery in London, while Reggie Kray was buried at St Matthew’s Church in Bethnal Green, London. The twins are not interred together.
Are Reggie and Ronnie Kray Still Alive?
No. Ronnie died in Broadmoor Hospital in 1995, and Reggie died in 2000. Their brother Charlie Kray, who was also involved in the 1990 film deal, died in 2000 as well.
Reggie’s release in August 2000 was highly unusual for a life-sentence prisoner. It was granted only after doctors confirmed his bladder cancer was terminal and he had weeks to live.
Reggie Kray in Film and Pop Culture
The Kray twins have been portrayed in multiple films. The 1990 film The Krays earned £255,000 for the twins and their brother Charlie. In 2015, Legend starred Tom Hardy playing both Reggie and Ronnie in a single film.
Reggie’s distinctive appearance — especially his glasses and cane — became part of what the New York Times described as a “gangster chic” persona. He was frequently photographed with a cane in later years, though it was partly for medical reasons after a prison leg injury.
During his imprisonment, he wrote two memoirs: Our Story (1988) and Born Fighter (1991). These books have been used as source material for many documentaries and dramatizations.
What Was Reggie Kray’s Net Worth?
Reggie Kray’s net worth at death is not explicitly documented. He earned £255,000 from the 1990 film The Krays, but no public record of his total wealth exists. Estimates range from £100,000 to £500,000, though these figures are unverified and no probate records are easily accessible.
When Was Reggie Kray Born? A Timeline of Key Life Events
- 24 Oct 1933 — Reginald Kray born in Haggerston, East London, ten minutes before his twin Ronnie.
- 1939–1945 — Childhood during WWII; the twins are evacuated to Suffolk.
- 1951 — National Service; both brothers go AWOL and are later imprisoned.
- 1950s–1960s — Build a criminal empire in East London: clubs, racketeering, and protection schemes.
- 1965 — Marries Frances Shea.
- 1967 — Frances Shea dies by suicide; Reggie kills Jack McVitie.
- 1969 — Convicted of murder at the Old Bailey; sentenced to life (minimum 30 years).
- 1995 — Ronnie Kray dies in Broadmoor Hospital.
- Aug 2000 — Reggie released on compassionate grounds due to terminal bladder cancer.
- 1 Oct 2000 — Reggie Kray dies in Norwich, Norfolk.
Was Reggie Kray a Psychopath? Separating Known Facts from Uncertainty
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Reggie was the more controlled, business-oriented twin. | Whether his mental health was ever formally evaluated is not publicly known. |
| Ronnie Kray was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia. | No official psychiatric diagnosis for Reggie has been released. |
| Reggie expressed remorse for the murder of Jack McVitie in later interviews. | Whether his remorse was genuine or strategic remains a matter of opinion. |
| His public persona was that of a disciplined gangster. | Media portrayals often conflate Reggie’s personality with Ronnie’s more violent reputation. |
The Context of the Kray Twins’ Criminal Enterprise
Reggie Kray’s role within the Kray twins’ organization is often contrasted with that of his brother Ronnie. Reggie was seen as the more restrained, business-minded leader, while Ronnie was overtly violent and increasingly unstable due to paranoid schizophrenia.
The Kray twins’ notoriety was amplified by their celebrity connections. They mingled with politicians, actors, and nightclub owners, blurring the line between the criminal underworld and pop culture. Their clubs in London’s West End attracted figures from show business and politics, giving them a level of public visibility unusual for gangsters of the era.
The murder of Jack McVitie in 1967 was the turning point. It led directly to their arrest and conviction and marked the end of the Kray empire. Reggie’s 32-year prison sentence and his conversion to Christianity while incarcerated have since become a secondary narrative often referenced in discussions about rehabilitation.
Where Can I Find Reliable Information About Reggie Kray?
The London Museum holds a curated collection of photographs and documents that provide a reliable, institutional perspective on the Kray twins’ activities in East London.
— London Museum, The Kray Twins Story
Probate records and official prison documents remain the most authoritative sources for verifying details such as net worth and medical history, though some of these records have not been digitized.
— UK National Archives
Cross-referencing fan-contributed wikis with institutional sources such as the London Museum and official prison records is recommended for verifying biographical facts. The Findmypast genealogy blog provides family background details, though it is a commercial source and should be verified against primary documents.
For a broader perspective on their place in British crime history, readers may also explore the legacy of 1960s London gangs and how the era shaped modern organised crime. Their story continues to be analysed in the context of true crime narratives in Britain.
What Is Reggie Kray’s Lasting Legacy?
Reggie Kray remains a figure of enduring fascination in British crime history. His life story — from East End boxer to gangland boss, then to prisoner and memoirist — has been told and retold in films, books, and documentaries. While his criminal actions caused real harm, his cultural imprint continues to shape portrayals of London’s underworld in the mid-20th century.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Reggie Kray wear glasses?
Reggie was frequently photographed wearing distinctive horn-rimmed or dark-framed glasses, which became part of his public image. There is no specific public record of his prescription, but they were likely both for vision correction and style.
What is the difference between Reggie Kray and Ronnie Kray?
Reggie was generally more reserved, business-oriented, and socially adept, while Ronnie was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia and had a more volatile, violent temper. Their personalities and roles within The Firm were distinct.
Did Reggie Kray have children?
No, Reggie Kray did not have any known children. He was married to Frances Shea and later to Roberta Jones, but neither marriage produced offspring.
Are the Kray twins buried together?
No. Ronnie Kray was buried in Chingford Mount Cemetery in London, while Reggie Kray was buried at St Matthew’s Church in Bethnal Green, London.
Was Reggie Kray a psychopath?
There is no official diagnosis. Much of the speculation stems from his association with Ronnie, who was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia. Media portrayals often conflate the two.
How tall was Reggie Kray?
Based on available records, Reggie Kray was approximately 170 cm (5 ft 7 in) tall, though some sources list 5 ft 10 in and the official figure remains uncertain.
What film best portrays Reggie Kray?
Legend (2015), starring Tom Hardy as both Reggie and Ronnie, is one of the most comprehensive film portrayals. The 1990 film The Krays also covers their story.
Did Reggie Kray make money while in prison?
Yes. Reggie and his brother Ronnie earned £255,000 from the 1990 film The Krays, which was paid during their imprisonment.
How long was Reggie Kray in prison?
Reggie spent 33 years in prison — from his 1969 conviction until his compassionate release in August 2000. His minimum term was 30 years.
What happened to Reggie Kray’s first wife?
Frances Shea, Reggie’s first wife, died by suicide in 1967 at age 24. Her death occurred shortly before Reggie murdered Jack McVitie and is considered a major turning point in his life.
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