Ronnie Biggs – Biography of the Famous Fugitive

Ronald Arthur Biggs, better known as Ronnie Biggs, was a British criminal who became a global household name after his part in the Great Train Robbery of 1963. His fame, however, came less from the heist itself and more from his spectacular escape from prison and 36 years as a fugitive. From a jailbreak using a homemade rope ladder to life in Brazil, his story is one of the most documented criminal narratives in modern British history.

Biggs died in London on 18 December 2013 at the age of 84. By then, he had returned voluntarily to the UK, been reimprisoned, and later released on compassionate grounds. His life straddled crime, celebrity, and a curious kind of folk-hero status.

Who Was Ronnie Biggs and His Family?

Key insights about Ronnie Biggs

• Biggs was one of the most famous train robbers in British history, but his celebrity status was largely due to his audacious escape from prison and long life as a fugitive.
• Despite not being the mastermind of the heist, Biggs became the face of the Great Train Robbery through media coverage and his own self-promotion.
• His family played a key role in his story: wife Charmian supported his escape, and son Michael later managed his public image and official website.
• The exact net worth of Ronnie Biggs remains unclear, as he reportedly lived modestly on royalties and donations after returning to the UK.

Snapshot facts: Ronnie Biggs

Who was Ronnie Biggs’ spouse?

Ronnie Biggs married Charmian Powell in 1960. According to Wikipedia, Charmian and their two sons traveled with him to Paris after his escape. The couple later separated while Biggs was on the run.

How many children did Ronnie Biggs have?

Biggs had three children: two sons (Michael and Chris) and one daughter (Fiona). Sources note that he left Britain with his wife and children after escaping prison and later brought them to Paris and Australia.

Who is Ronnie Biggs’ son?

His son Michael Biggs became known for managing his father’s public image and the official Ronnie Biggs website. Michael was born in Brazil in 1981 to a Brazilian mother, Raimunda, and his birth helped Biggs avoid extradition under Brazilian law.

When and How Did Ronnie Biggs Die?

When did Ronnie Biggs die?

Ronnie Biggs died on 18 December 2013 in a London nursing home at the age of 84. He had been released from prison on compassionate grounds in August 2009 due to declining health.

What was Ronnie Biggs’ cause of death?

He died of pneumonia, according to Britannica, after a series of strokes and other health complications. His death came the same day the BBC aired part one of A Robber’s Tale, a dramatic account of the heist.

What Was Ronnie Biggs’ Net Worth?

What was Ronnie Biggs’ net worth at the time of his death?

No reliable, authoritative net worth figure exists for Ronnie Biggs. The robbery itself yielded about £2.6 million, and one source says Biggs’s share was £147,000. He used his notoriety to earn money — recording with the Sex Pistols in 1978, selling memorabilia in Brazil — but any precise figure is speculative.

What Books and Movies Are About Ronnie Biggs?

What book is about Ronnie Biggs?

Biggs co-authored an autobiography titled Odd Man Out, published in 1995 with ghostwriter Chris Pickard. A later edition, The Great Train Robber: My Autobiography, covers his escapes, life on the run, and final years. Both are listed on his official site.

Is there a movie about Ronnie Biggs?

Yes. The film Prisoner of Rio (1988) dramatises a kidnapping attempt involving Biggs and was co-written by him. He also appeared in media and recorded the single No One Is Innocent with the Sex Pistols in 1978, cementing his place in pop culture.

What Is the Chronological Timeline of Ronnie Biggs’ Life?

1. 8 Aug 1929 – Born in London.
2. 1947–1949 – Royal Air Force service.
3. 8 Aug 1963 – Great Train Robbery (heist).
4. Apr 1964 – Sentenced to 30 years in prison.
5. 8 Jul 1965 – Escaped from Wandsworth Prison using a homemade rope ladder.
6. 1970 – Fled to Australia, then Brazil.
7. 1981 – Son Michael born (mother Raimunda).
8. 1990s – Media celebrity, recorded punk song.
9. 2001 – Returned voluntarily to UK, imprisoned.
10. Aug 2009 – Released on compassionate grounds due to poor health.
11. 18 Dec 2013 – Died in London.

What Is Certain and Uncertain About Ronnie Biggs’ Story?

What Background Is Important to Understand Ronnie Biggs?

The Great Train Robbery was a seminal event in UK crime history, netting £2.6 million — equivalent to roughly £55 million today. Biggs’ role was as a lookout and inside helper, not the mastermind. His escape turned him into a folk anti-hero, capitalizing on public fascination with outlaw figures. He exploited this through merchandise, interviews, and even a music career.

Legal and ethical questions surround his compassionate release in 2009, as critics argued he never fully paid his debt to society. Supporters cited his age and failing health. Media portrayals vary: some romanticize his fugitive years, while others emphasize the violence of the original robbery — the train driver was severely beaten.

What Do Primary Sources Say About Ronnie Biggs?

“I have been a villain all my life. But I’ve never hurt anyone.”

— Ronnie Biggs interview, Guardian, 2001

“He was the most famous of the Great Train Robbers, not because he was the leader, but because he escaped and stayed free for so long.”

— Britannica biography

“My father lived his life on his own terms. He never shied away from who he was.”

— Michael Biggs, quoted on ronniebiggs.com

Summary: What Is the Lasting Legacy of Ronnie Biggs?

Ronnie Biggs remains one of the most famous fugitives in British history. His story combines a major robbery, a dramatic prison escape, decades on the run, and a return to face justice. While the facts of his life are well-documented, uncertainties about his finances and motives continue to fuel public curiosity.

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