Ronald Kray, the more volatile half of the Kray twins, remains one of the most infamous figures in British criminal history. Alongside his twin brother Reggie, he dominated London’s East End underworld during the 1950s and 1960s as a leader of the gang known as “The Firm.” His life was marked by violence, mental illness, and a celebrity status that blurred the line between gangster and icon.
Born on 24 October 1933 in Hoxton, East London, Ronnie and his identical twin Reggie grew up in a working-class neighbourhood that would later become the backdrop for their reign of crime. From an early age, Ronnie showed promise as a boxer, but he soon turned to a life of criminality alongside his brother, eventually becoming a legendary—and feared—crime boss in the capital.
What set Ronnie apart from his twin was not just his unpredictable temper but also his struggles with mental health. Diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia, he spent much of his later life confined to Broadmoor Hospital, a high-security psychiatric facility. His story is one of brutality, loyalty, and a family bound by crime.
Who Were the Kray Twins?
The Kray twins—Ronald and Reginald—were the twin sons of Charles and Violet Kray, born on 24 October 1933 at Stean Street (sometimes cited as Vallance Road nearby) in Hoxton. They had an older brother, Charlie Kray (sometimes called Charles), who would later become entangled in their criminal operations.
Ronald ‘Ronnie’ Kray
24 October 1933 – 17 March 1995
Gangster, Kray twins, East End London
Life imprisonment for murder (1969)
The twins grew up in a tight-knit East End community but quickly gravitated toward crime. Ronnie showed early talent as a boxer before graduating to a life of organised crime alongside his brother, according to Biography.com. Their gang, “The Firm,” was involved in armed robberies, arson, protection rackets, assaults, and murder, as documented by The Kray Twins Wiki.
Key Insights About Ronald Kray
- Ronald Kray was the more volatile and openly violent of the Kray twins.
- He was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia and spent his final years in Broadmoor Hospital.
- His brother Reggie’s wife, Frances Kray, died by suicide in 1967, a tragedy that reverberated through the family.
- Despite his crimes, the Kray twins became iconic figures in British pop culture.
- The Kray twins’ network included celebrities, politicians, and corrupt police.
- Ronnie was convicted of the murder of George Cornell, while Reggie was convicted of the murder of Jack “The Hat” McVitie.
- The twins were arrested on 8 May 1968, bringing their reign to an end.
Quick Facts About Ronald Kray
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Born | 24 October 1933, Haggerston, London |
| Died | 17 March 1995, Broadmoor Hospital (age 61) |
| Cause of death | Heart attack |
| Spouse | Frances Kray (m. 1965; died 1967), later Elaine Mildener (common-law wife) |
| Brothers | Reginald Kray (twin), Charles Kray (older brother) |
| Criminal status | Deceased |
| Notable crime | Murder of George Cornell (1966) |
Who Was Ronald Kray’s Wife?
A common point of confusion in the story of the Kray twins is the identity of Frances Kray. Frances was not Ronnie’s wife but rather the wife of his twin brother, Reggie. She married Reggie in 1965, but the marriage was fraught with difficulties. Frances tragically took her own life in 1967 at the age of 23, as recorded by the London Museum.
Ronnie himself was married twice. His first relationship was with Elaine Mildener, a common-law marriage that lasted from 1985 to 1989. He then married Kate Howard in 1989, a union that ended in 1994, according to Encyclopædia Britannica. Neither marriage produced children.
Frances Kray is often mistakenly believed to be Ronnie’s wife. In reality, she was married to Reggie Kray. Her death by suicide in 1967, just two years after the wedding, has fueled decades of speculation and is a recurring theme in biographies of the twins.
Who Was Frances Kray?
Frances Shea grew up in the East End and met Reggie Kray when she was a teenager. Their relationship was tumultuous, and those close to the family have suggested she struggled with the pressures of being married to a notorious gangster. Her death was ruled a suicide, though rumours and theories persist—without substantiated evidence—that the circumstances were not straightforward.
How Did Ronnie Kray Die?
Ronald Kray died on 17 March 1995 at the age of 61. The official cause of death was a heart attack. At the time of his death, he was still a prisoner at Broadmoor Hospital, the high-security psychiatric facility where he had been held for 16 years following his diagnosis with paranoid schizophrenia.
There is some slight uncertainty about the exact location of his death. While most sources indicate he died at Broadmoor Hospital in Berkshire, some records mention Hetherwood Hospital in Ascot. What is not in dispute is that he died while in custody, having never been released after his 1969 conviction.
His brother Reggie survived him by five years, dying in 2000 after being released from prison on compassionate grounds. The Kray twins are buried in different locations, and neither grave has become an official focal point for fans, though the Blind Beggar pub—the site of Ronnie’s murder of George Cornell—draws curious visitors.
Is There a Last Photo of Ronnie Kray?
Multiple photographs of Ronnie Kray exist from his later years at Broadmoor, but no single image is universally recognised as the “last photo.” Several images show him in the hospital grounds, often looking older and gaunt. The lack of a definitive final photograph adds to the mystique surrounding his final years.
What Movies Feature Ronald Kray?
The Kray twins have been portrayed in several films and television productions, with actors taking on the challenging roles of the notorious gangsters. These portrayals have varied in accuracy, mixing documented events with dramatic licence.
Notable Film Portrayals
The most famous portrayal of Ronnie Kray in recent years is by actor Tom Hardy in the 2015 film “Legend,” in which Hardy played both twins. The film drew on established facts about the Krays—including the murders of Cornell and McVitie—but also compressed timelines and dramatised certain relationships for cinematic effect.
An earlier film, “The Krays” (1990), starred the Kemp brothers—Gary and Martin—as Ronnie and Reggie. That production focused more heavily on the twins’ relationship with their mother and their early years. Other portrayals have appeared in documentaries and television dramas, each contributing to the public’s fascination with the twins.
In “Legend,” Ronnie Kray is shown as a violent paranoid schizophrenic, which aligns with his documented diagnosis. However, the film takes liberties with the timeline of events and the nature of certain relationships. Viewers should treat these portrayals as dramatisations rather than documentaries.
What Crimes Did the Kray Twins Commit?
The Kray twins’ criminal enterprise, “The Firm,” was responsible for a wide range of illegal activities. Armed robberies, arson, protection rackets, assaults, and murder were all part of their operations, according to historical records. But two murders stand out as the defining moments that led to their downfall.
The George Cornell Murder (1966)
In March 1966, Ronnie Kray walked into the Blind Beggar Pub in Mile End, East London, and shot George Cornell dead. The killing was sparked by a personal insult—Cornell had referred to Ronnie as a “fat poof.” The shooting was brazen, carried out in a crowded pub in broad daylight, and it sent a clear message about the Krays’ ruthlessness.
The Jack “The Hat” McVitie Murder (1967)
In October 1967, it was Reggie Kray who murdered Jack “The Hat” McVitie, a member of their own gang, in Stoke Newington, East London. The killing followed a dispute within the organisation. McVitie’s murder was particularly brutal and is often cited as the point at which the Krays lost control of their criminal network.
When Were the Kray Twins Arrested?
The twins were arrested on 8 May 1968 by detectives led by Detective Superintendent Leonard “Nipper” Read. The arrest followed a lengthy police operation that aimed to dismantle the Krays’ criminal empire.
- 1933 — Ronnie and Reggie Kray are born in Haggerston, London.
- 1950s — The twins form “The Firm” and become involved in armed robbery, protection rackets, and other serious crimes.
- 1958 — Ronnie is committed to a mental hospital after attacking a man with a bayonet, later diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia.
- 1960 — Ronnie is imprisoned for 18 months for running a protection racket.
- 1965 — Reggie marries Frances Shea.
- 1966 — Ronnie murders George Cornell at the Blind Beggar pub.
- 1967 — Reggie murders Jack “The Hat” McVitie; Frances Kray dies by suicide.
- 1968 — The twins are arrested on 8 May.
- 1969 — Both are convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment with a 30-year non-parole period, the longest sentences ever passed at the Old Bailey for murder at the time.
- 1995 — Ronnie dies of a heart attack at Broadmoor Hospital (or Hetherwood Hospital, Ascot).
The trial in 1969 was a landmark event. Justice Melford Stevenson handed down life sentences with a minimum term of 30 years for the murders—a record at the Old Bailey. The twins’ brother Charlie was sentenced to 10 years for being an accessory to McVitie’s murder, having helped dispose of the body, as noted by the London Museum.
How Much of the Kray Twins’ Story Is Established Fact?
Separating fact from myth in the story of the Kray twins is an ongoing challenge for historians and true crime enthusiasts. Some details are firmly established through court records, police files, and official documents. Others remain the stuff of rumour and speculation.
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Ronnie and Reggie Kray were born on 24 October 1933. | Claims of the Krays’ involvement in the murder of Jack “The Hat” McVitie are sometimes misattributed to Ronnie—it was actually Reggie who carried out the killing. |
| Ronnie killed George Cornell at the Blind Beggar pub in 1966. | Alleged connections between the Krays and the disappearance of Lord Lucan remain unsubstantiated. |
| Ronnie was sent to Broadmoor after a diagnosis of paranoid schizophrenia. | Rumours persist that Frances Kray’s death was not suicide, but the coroner officially ruled it as such. |
| Ronnie died at Broadmoor (or Hetherwood Hospital) in 1995. | The full extent of Ronnie’s mental illness and its exact impact on his criminal responsibility continues to be debated. |
The coroner’s ruling on Frances Kray’s death is clear, but the persistent rumours reflect the enduring mystique of the Kray twins. Similarly, the claim that the twins had connections to the disappearance of Lord Lucan has never been supported by credible evidence.
What Was the London Underworld of the 1960s Really Like?
The East End of London in the 1960s was a place of sharp contrasts. Poverty existed alongside pockets of prosperity, and organised crime was deeply embedded in the fabric of certain neighbourhoods. The Kray twins operated in a world where violence was a tool of business, and loyalty was enforced through fear.
What set the Krays apart from other gangs—such as the Richardson Gang, their main rivals—was their ability to cultivate a celebrity image. They mixed with politicians, nightclub owners, and even members of the aristocracy. This public persona coexisted uneasily with their violent reputation, and police corruption meant they operated with relative impunity for years.
The long-term impact of the Krays on British crime and popular culture has been significant. They have been the subject of numerous books, documentaries, and films, and their story continues to be studied as a case study in organised crime, celebrity, and the limits of police accountability.
Much of what is popularly known about the Kray twins comes from self-serving memoirs and dramatised accounts. The twins themselves actively cultivated their own legend, making it difficult for researchers to separate fact from embellishment. Official court records and police files remain the most reliable sources.
Where Do the Details About Ronald Kray Come From?
The most authoritative sources on Ronald Kray include court transcripts from the 1969 trial, police records from the investigation led by Detective Superintendent Leonard “Nipper” Read, and official medical records from Broadmoor Hospital. Biographies such as “The Krays: The Final Word” by Tony Lambrianou offer insider perspectives, though these accounts carry their own biases.
The National Archives holds official records related to the Kray case, while the Findmypast blog has published genealogical data on the Kray family, shedding light on their ancestry. The BBC has also reported on the twins’ time at Broadmoor, drawing on official sources.
Frances Kray’s family have given statements over the years, offering insight into her difficult marriage to Reggie and the pressures she faced. The official police report on the Kray operation remains a key document for understanding how the twins were finally brought to justice.
What Is Ronald Kray’s Lasting Legacy?
Ronald Kray’s legacy is a divided one. On one hand, he was a violent criminal responsible for murder and extensive organised crime. On the other, he and his brother have become cultural icons of a certain era of British history—figures who are as likely to appear in museum exhibits as in crime documentaries. The continued public fascination with the Kray twins shows little sign of fading, and the sites associated with them—such as the Blind Beggar pub—continue to draw interest from tourists and true crime enthusiasts. For readers interested in other figures from the criminal underworld, the Thomas Shelby – Complete Character Guide, Style and Fate offers a comparative look at a fictionalised gangster archetype, while the Hermann Göring – Life, Crimes and Suicide of the Nazi Leader provides a different perspective on a figure whose crimes were of an entirely different scale and nature.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are the Kray twins still alive?
No. Ronnie Kray died in 1995, and Reggie Kray died in 2000. Neither twin is alive.
Who was Charlie Kray?
Charles Kray was the older brother of the twins. He was involved in their criminal activities and was convicted for his role as an accessory to the murder of Jack McVitie, receiving a 10-year sentence.
What is the last photo of Ronnie Kray?
Multiple photos exist from his later years at Broadmoor, but no single image is universally accepted as the “last photo.” Several images show him during his time at the hospital.
What was the relationship between Ronnie and Reggie Kray?
They were inseparable twins and co-leaders of the Kray firm. Ronnie was more aggressive and openly violent, while Reggie was more reserved but equally capable of brutality.
What happened to Ronald Kray?
He was convicted of murder in 1969, sentenced to life imprisonment, and spent his remaining years at Broadmoor Hospital. He died of a heart attack in 1995.
Did the Kray twins have children?
Neither Ronnie nor Reggie Kray had children. Ronnie’s two marriages did not produce offspring, and the question of children is not documented in any reliable source.
How long were the Kray twins in prison?
Both were sentenced to life imprisonment with a 30-year non-parole period in 1969. Ronnie died in custody in 1995, serving 26 years. Reggie was released on compassionate grounds in 2000 and died later that year.
Who played Ronnie Kray in the film Legend?
Actor Tom Hardy played both Ronnie and Reggie Kray in the 2015 film “Legend.” Hardy’s performance as Ronnie was widely praised for capturing the gangster’s volatility.
Where is the Blind Beggar pub?
The Blind Beggar is located on Whitechapel Road in Mile End, East London. It remains a working pub and is a frequent stop for those interested in Kray twins history.
What was Ronald Kray’s cause of death?
Ronald Kray died of a heart attack on 17 March 1995 at age 61, while still a prisoner at Broadmoor Hospital.
Sophie Marlowe covers culture, lifestyle and society for BritView.uk.