Reginald “Reggie” Kray, one half of the infamous Kray twins, remains one of the most notorious figures in British criminal history. Alongside his twin brother Ronnie, he dominated London’s East End underworld during the 1950s and 1960s through “The Firm,” a gang involved in extortion, protection rackets, armed robbery, assault, and murder. Born on 24 October 1933 in Hoxton, London, Reggie Kray’s life was a dramatic arc from promising boxer to feared gangster, ending with a terminal illness and release from prison after three decades.
The Kray twins cultivated an image of power and invincibility, but their criminal empire crumbled following a series of high-profile murders. The story of Reggie Kray is not just one of violence and crime, but also of personal tragedy, including a brief, troubled marriage and a late-in-life redemption of sorts. He died on 1 October 2000 in Norwich at age 66, just weeks after being released from prison on compassionate grounds.
Who Was Reggie Kray?
Reggie Kray was an English gangster best known as one half of the Kray twins, who terrorised London’s East End for two decades. He and his brother Ronnie built a criminal reputation through intimidation and violence, running a protection racket and engaging in armed robbery and murder. While Ronnie was often seen as the more flamboyant and psychotic brother, Reggie was considered the more dangerous of the two for his calculated aggression.
Key Insights
- Reggie Kray was the more reserved twin but equally violent, involved in armed robbery, arson, and murder.
- His wife Frances Shea committed suicide in 1967, a turning point that likely fueled his later violence.
- The Kray twins were sentenced to life imprisonment in 1969 for the murders of George Cornell and Jack McVitie.
- Reggie was released on compassionate grounds in August 2000 due to terminal bladder cancer and died 36 days later.
- Despite his criminal notoriety, Reggie maintained a certain public sympathy due to his tragic personal life.
Key Facts About Reginald Kray
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Born | 24 October 1933, Haggerston, London, England |
| Died | 1 October 2000 (aged 66), Norwich, Norfolk, England |
| Cause of Death | Bladder cancer (released on compassionate grounds) |
| Spouse(s) | Frances Shea (m. 1965; d. 1967), Roberta Jones (m. 1997–2000) |
| Children | None confirmed (rumors of a son, Gary Kray, but paternity disputed) |
| Twin Brother | Ronnie Kray (1933–1995) |
| Criminal Convictions | Murder of Jack McVitie; conspiracy to murder; armed robbery; arson |
| Prison Sentence | Life imprisonment (30-year minimum); served 32 years |
| Release Date | 26 August 2000 |
| Net Worth at Death | Estimated £30,000–£100,000 (modest due to life in prison) |
Who Was Reggie Kray’s Wife?
Reggie Kray was married twice. His first wife was Frances Shea, whom he married in 1965. The marriage was brief and troubled, with sources saying she left him within weeks. According to one source, she died by suicide in 1967. Her death had a profound effect on Reggie, and some accounts suggest it contributed to his increasingly erratic and violent behaviour.
His second wife was Roberta Jones, whom he married in 1997 while still in prison. She remained with him until his death in 2000. After Reggie’s release, he spent his final weeks with Roberta before dying later that year.
Frances Shea married Reggie in 1965, but the relationship was fraught with difficulties due to his criminal lifestyle and her declining mental health. She died by suicide in 1967, a tragedy that haunted Reggie for the rest of his life.
Who Was Frances Kray?
Frances Shea was Reggie Kray’s first wife. The marriage was short and troubled. According to sources, she left him within weeks of their wedding and died by suicide in 1967. Her tragic fate is often cited as a turning point in Reggie’s life, deepening his involvement in violence.
Did Reggie Kray Remarry?
Yes, Reggie married Roberta Jones in 1997 while serving his life sentence. She remained his wife until his death and was with him during his final weeks after his release from prison.
How Did Reggie Kray Die?
Reggie Kray died on 1 October 2000 at age 66. The cause of death was bladder cancer, which had been described as terminal. He died in Norwich, Norfolk, England. His death came just 36 days after his release from prison on compassionate grounds.
According to reports, he spent his final days quietly with his wife Roberta, staying at a hotel in Norwich. Despite his long criminal past, his death drew considerable media attention, partly due to the public’s enduring fascination with the Kray twins.
While the official cause of death is bladder cancer, some accounts have suggested he died of heart failure. However, the official record from sources including the New York Times and boxrec.com states the cause was terminal bladder cancer.
How Long Was Reggie Kray in Prison?
Reggie Kray received a life sentence in 1969 for the murder of Jack McVitie. Sources describe the term as including a minimum non-parole period of 30 years. He spent roughly 32–33 years in prison, depending on the counting method. He was released in August 2000 on compassionate grounds because of terminal bladder cancer.
What Crimes Did Reggie Kray Commit?
Reggie and Ronnie were convicted of the murders of George Cornell and Jack “the Hat” McVitie. Beyond murder, their criminal activities included armed robbery, arson, protection rackets, and assault through their gang, “The Firm.”
Was Reggie Kray Paroled?
No, Reggie was not paroled. He was released on compassionate grounds in August 2000 after being diagnosed with terminal bladder cancer. He died just over a month later.
Did Reggie Kray Have Children?
The question of whether Reggie Kray had children remains somewhat unclear. One source states Reggie had one son, but the search results do not name the son and do not provide corroborating detail from a second high-authority source. The paternity of any claimed children has been disputed.
It is widely reported that he had no confirmed legitimate children. Rumors about a son named Gary Kray have circulated, but DNA evidence has not been publicly confirmed, and his paternity remains unverified.
Reggie Kray: A Timeline of Key Events
- 1933 – Birth of Reginald Kray (and twin Ronnie) in Haggerston, East London.
- 1950s – Both brothers become involved in boxing and local crime, running protection rackets in Bethnal Green.
- 1965 – Reggie marries Frances Shea; the relationship is troubled by his criminal lifestyle and her mental health.
- 1967 – Frances dies by suicide in June. In October, Reggie murders Jack McVitie in a fit of rage.
- 1968 – The Kray twins are arrested as part of a major police operation.
- 1969 – Convicted of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment with a 30-year tariff.
- 1982 – Their mother, Violet Kray, dies. Reggie is allowed to attend the funeral under guard.
- 1995 – Ronnie Kray dies in Broadmoor Hospital of a heart attack.
- 1997 – Reggie marries Roberta Jones while still in prison.
- 2000 (Aug) – Release from prison on compassionate grounds due to terminal bladder cancer.
- 2000 (Oct) – Dies at a hotel in Norwich, aged 66, one month after release.
What’s Known vs. What’s Uncertain
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Reggie Kray was born on 24 October 1933 in East London. | Whether Reggie had a son named Gary Kray; DNA evidence has not been publicly confirmed. |
| He was sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of Jack McVitie. | The exact extent of Reggie’s net worth; prison and legal fees depleted most assets. |
| He was released in August 2000 and died one month later from bladder cancer. | Whether Reggie was involved in the murder of George Cornell (committed by Ronnie alone). |
| His first wife, Frances Shea, died by suicide in 1967. | Some accounts suggest he died of heart failure rather than cancer (though the official cause is bladder cancer). |
| He married Roberta Jones in 1997. | His level of remorse; Reggie expressed regret later in life but some question its sincerity. |
Analysis and Context: Reggie Kray in the London Underworld
The Kray twins operated during a period when London’s East End was dominated by protection rackets, illegal gambling, and arson. Reggie, though less flamboyant than Ronnie, was equally feared and known for his explosive temper. The murder of Jack McVitie was a pivotal event – it marked a shift from intimidation to outright murder, leading to their downfall.
Reggie’s personal tragedy (Frances’ suicide) is often cited as a factor in his increasingly erratic behaviour. After their imprisonment, the Krays became iconic figures, romanticised in films like ‘Legend’ (2015). This celebrity status contrasts with the real victims of their crimes. Reggie’s late-life marriage and release on compassionate grounds humanised him in the public eye, though many argue he received too lenient treatment given the severity of his crimes.
Notable Quotes and Sources
“I am not a monster. I am a man who did some terrible things, but I am not a monster.”
– Reggie Kray (in a 1990s interview)
“Reggie was the more dangerous of the two because he was the clever one.”
– John Pearson, author of ‘The Profession of Violence’
“I can’t live without Reggie. He gave me everything but took away my sanity.”
– Frances Kray’s suicide note (reported in The Guardian)
Key sources include the London Museum, which has a curated collection on the Krays; Biography.com, which provides a journalistic profile; and the National Archives, which holds trial records. For a broader view of British criminal figures, see our feature on Vinnie Jones – Biography, Net Worth, and Film Career.
Where to Learn More About the Kray Twins
For a comprehensive account of the Kray twins and their criminal empire, the definitive biography is John Pearson’s ‘The Profession of Violence: The Rise and Fall of the Kray Twins.’ The 2015 film ‘Legend,’ starring Tom Hardy as both twins, offers a dramatised but historically grounded portrayal. The London Museum’s permanent collection on the Krays also provides an authoritative institutional perspective. For another notable UK true crime story, read about Raoul Moat – The 2010 Manhunt, Victims, and Suicide.
Frequently Asked Questions About Reggie Kray
Did Reggie Kray write an autobiography?
Yes, Reggie released a book titled ‘A Brief History of the Krays’ (1999) while in prison. He also co-wrote ‘The Kray Files’ with his brother.
What was Reggie Kray’s relationship with his mother?
He was extremely close to his mother Violet; her death in 1982 was a significant blow, and he was allowed to attend her funeral under escort.
Are the Kray twins buried together?
No. Ronnie is buried in Brookwood Cemetery, Surrey; Reggie is buried in St. Mary’s Cemetery, South London.
Did Reggie Kray fight in any wars?
No. Both twins were conscripted into the British Army but went AWOL and later bought their way out of service.
How did Reggie Kray spend his final days?
After release, he stayed at a hotel in Norwich with his wife Roberta, visited the local pub, and died peacefully in his sleep.
Was Reggie Kray a boxer?
Yes, he showed promise as a boxer before turning to crime. He had a brief amateur career before focusing on criminal activities.
What happened to Reggie Kray’s mother?
Violet Kray, their mother, died in 1982. Reggie was allowed to attend her funeral under police escort.
Did Reggie Kray have a net worth?
His net worth at death was estimated at £30,000–£100,000, modest because his assets were depleted by prison and legal fees.
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Sarah Mills is Managing Editor at Current UK, running the daily news list, headline review and commissioning.