Mae Capone

Mary Josephine Capone ( Coughlin; April 11, 1897 – April 16, 1986) was the American wife of gangster Al Capone. Although not directly involved in her husband's illegal activities, she managed his financial affairs during and after his time in prison.

Early life Mary "Mae" Josephine Coughlin was born in Brooklyn, New York, to Bridget Gorman and Michael (Mike) Coughlin on April 11, 1897. They either met at a party in the Carroll Gardens neighborhood of Brooklyn, or their marriage was arranged by Al's mother, who knew Mae from church. Mae was two years older than her husband. On their marriage certificate, Al increased his age by one year, and Mae decreased her age by two years, making them both appear 20 years old. Her hair also started to gray when she was 28, presumably due to stress regarding her husband's situation.

Al was finally released from prison and arrived at the Capones' Florida home on March 22, 1940. Mae was distraught following his death, and remained out of the public spotlight thereafter.

Financial well-being

Al's racketeering business provided well for the family.

In 1920 or 1921 or 1923, Capone purchased a two-storey two-flat six-bedroom building, on a 68-foot-wide double lot, built in 1905, and moved in on August 8, 1923, at 7244 South Prairie Avenue in the Park Manor neighborhood in Greater Grand Crossing, Chicago for , to house Mae and Sonny, as well as other members of the Capone family.

In 1959, Desilu Productions released a two-part series called The Untouchables. The series was about Prohibition agents fighting crime. In 1960, Capone, her son, and Al's sister, Mafalda Maritote, sued Desilu Productions, Inc., Columbia Broadcasting System and Westinghouse Electric Corporation, for $6 million in damages. They claimed the series infringed on their privacy and had caused them humiliation and shame. Sonny Capone claimed that his children had been made fun of in school, so much that he was forced to pick up and move his family to another city. The federal District Court and Chicago Circuit Court rejected the suit. When the plaintiffs appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court, their appeal was rejected as well, on the basis that privacy rights are personal and do not extend to next of kin.

Death Capone died on April 16, 1986, at the age of 89, at a nursing home in Hollywood, Florida. She was buried in Florida. She was viewed and then cremated at 401 NW 44th Street (aka West Prospect Road), Oakland Park, Florida.

In popular culture Josh Humphrey wrote a poem titled, "A Poem about Al Capone's Wife". The poem is written from Mae's point of view. It captures both the heartache and feelings of devotion she might have experienced.

Mae Capone has been portrayed by the following:

Marcella Lentz-Pope on HBO's Boardwalk Empire (TV series).

Linda Cardellini in the 2020 biographical film Capone.