Reggie Kray: Biography, Crimes, Wife, and Death
There’s something about the name Reggie Kray that still draws people in, decades after the headlines faded. Born in 1933 in East London, he and his twin brother Ronnie became the most feared faces in the London underworld. But Reggie’s story isn’t just one of crime – it’s also a tale of prison transformation, a late marriage, and a final release that came too late.
Full name: Reginald Kray ·
Born: 24 October 1933 ·
Died: 1 October 2000 ·
Cause of death: Bladder cancer ·
Spouses: Frances Shea (1965–1967), Roberta Jones (1989–2000)
Quick snapshot
- Reggie Kray’s birth and death dates are verified. (The Kray Twins Wiki)
- He murdered Jack McVitie in 1967. (The Kray Twins Wiki)
- He was sentenced to life imprisonment with a 30‑year minimum. (Wikipedia)
- He died of bladder cancer on 1 October 2000. (Biography)
- Exact net worth at death – various estimates from £50,000 to £500,000. (Walks of London)
- Details of some criminal activities that never led to conviction. (Walks of London)
- Whether his remorse in prison was genuine or calculated. (Walks of London)
- Whether Reggie was the older twin by exactly ten minutes. (Walks of London)
- The exact nature of his relationship with Ronnie in later years. (Walks of London)
- 1969: Convicted and sentenced to life – the longest murder trial in British history. (Walks of London)
- Reggie’s legacy continues through films, TV shows, and true‑crime documentaries.
- The 2015 film Legend brought his story to a new generation.
Eight key facts about Reggie Kray, drawn from official records and biographical sources.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full name | Reginald Kray |
| Born | 24 October 1933, Haggerston, London, England (The Kray Twins Wiki) |
| Died | 1 October 2000 (aged 66), Norwich, Norfolk, England (Biography) |
| Cause of death | Bladder cancer (The Kray Twins Wiki) |
| Known as | Reggie Kray, half of the Kray twins |
| Criminal penalty | Life imprisonment (served 30 years) (Wikipedia) |
| Spouses | Frances Shea (m. 1965; died 1967), Roberta Jones (m. 1989; his death 2000) (The Kray Twins Wiki) |
| Children | None |
What happened to Reggie Kray?
Prison sentence and early release
- Reggie was sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of Jack McVitie. (The Kray Twins Wiki)
- He served 30 years before being released on compassionate grounds in August 2000. (The Kray Twins Wiki)
- Home Secretary Jack Straw decided the release after a medical report found Reggie was terminally ill and no longer a threat. (Biography)
Reggie’s transformation behind bars was notable. According to prison letters, he became a Christian and expressed deep regret for his crimes. The pattern here: after a violent career, his final years were marked by quiet remorse.
Cancer diagnosis and death
- Reggie was diagnosed with bladder cancer in 2000. (The Kray Twins Wiki)
- He died on 1 October 2000 in Norwich, Norfolk, at the age of 66. (Biography)
The implication: Reggie spent only a few weeks as a free man before succumbing to the disease, a tragic coda to a notorious life.
Who was tougher, Ronnie or Reggie Kray?
Personality differences
- Ronnie was known for his violent temper and was later diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia. (Wikipedia)
- Reggie was seen as more controlled, business‑minded, and capable of hiding his ruthlessness behind a charming facade. (Walks of London (tour and history site))
- Reggie reportedly felt protective of his brother despite Ronnie’s unpredictability.
Criminal reputations
- Both twins were involved in murder, but Ronnie acted more impulsively. (History Hit)
- Reggie later expressed remorse and became a Christian in prison. (Walks of London)
- While Ronnie died in Broadmoor, Reggie was released and died a free man. (Wikipedia)
The trade‑off: Ronnie’s raw violence made him the scarier street presence, but Reggie’s calculated approach made him the more effective criminal operator.
How many wives did Reggie Kray have?
Frances Shea
- Reggie married Frances Shea in 1965. (The Kray Twins Wiki)
- She died by suicide in 1967. (The Kray Twins Wiki)
- The marriage was reportedly strained by Reggie’s criminal lifestyle and Ronnie’s interference.
Roberta Jones
- Reggie married Roberta Jones in 1989 while serving his life sentence. (The Kray Twins Wiki)
- Roberta remained with him until his death in 2000. (Biography)
What this means: Reggie married twice, but his first marriage ended tragically within two years, while his second marriage, though unconventional, provided stability in his later years.
Did Reggie Kray have any kids?
No children
- Reggie Kray had no biological children. (The Kray Twins Wiki)
- Neither Frances Shea nor Roberta Jones had children with him.
- He had no known adopted children.
The catch: despite a long public life, Reggie left no direct descendants – his legacy remains entirely in the media and true‑crime lore.
Did Reggie Kray attend his mother’s funeral?
The mother’s funeral in 1982
- Reggie and Ronnie were temporarily released from prison to attend their mother Violet Kray’s funeral on 3 September 1982. (The Kray Twins Wiki)
- The event was heavily covered by the press. (History Hit)
- They returned to prison after the funeral. (Wikipedia)
Public reaction
- The funeral procession attracted crowds, and many Londoners lined the streets.
- Some saw the release as a sign of the twins’ continued celebrity status.
Why this matters: The brief freedom for a family funeral underscored the complex relationship between the Krays’ criminal notoriety and their human ties.
Three key dimensions that distinguish the twin gangsters.
| Trait | Reggie Kray | Ronnie Kray |
|---|---|---|
| Personality | More controlled, business‑minded (Walks of London) | Violent, paranoid, diagnosed schizophrenic (Wikipedia) |
| Crimes | Murder of Jack McVitie, protection rackets, fraud (The Kray Twins Wiki) | Murder of George Cornell, arson, extortion (Wikipedia) |
| Outcome | Released on compassionate grounds, died free (Biography) | Died in Broadmoor Hospital in 1995 (Wikipedia) |
The contrast: Reggie outlived Ronnie by five years and experienced a brief return to society, while Ronnie remained incarcerated for life.
Timeline of Reggie Kray’s life
- 24 October 1933: Reginald Kray born in Haggerston, East London. (The Kray Twins Wiki)
- 1950s: Began amateur boxing; formed criminal gang with twin Ronnie. (History Hit)
- 1965: Married Frances Shea. (The Kray Twins Wiki)
- 1967: Frances Shea died by suicide; Reggie murdered Jack McVitie. (The Kray Twins Wiki)
- 1969: Sentenced to life imprisonment for murder of McVitie. (Wikipedia)
- 1982: Temporarily released to attend mother Violet’s funeral. (The Kray Twins Wiki)
- 1989: Married Roberta Jones while in prison. (The Kray Twins Wiki)
- 17 March 1995: Brother Ronnie dies of a heart attack in Broadmoor Hospital. (Wikipedia)
- August 2000: Released on compassionate grounds due to bladder cancer. (The Kray Twins Wiki)
- 1 October 2000: Died in Norwich, Norfolk, at age 66. (Biography)
The timeline shows a life divided between crime and eventual remorse.
What we know and what’s unclear
Confirmed facts
- Reggie Kray’s birth and death dates. (The Kray Twins Wiki)
- His murder of Jack McVitie. (The Kray Twins Wiki)
- His two marriages and lack of children. (The Kray Twins Wiki)
- Temporary release for mother’s funeral. (The Kray Twins Wiki)
- Death from bladder cancer after compassionate release. (Biography)
What’s unclear
- Exact net worth at death – various estimates from £50,000 to £500,000.
- Details of some alleged criminal activities not resulting in conviction.
- Whether he expressed genuine remorse or was performing for public sympathy.
- Whether Reggie was the older twin by exactly ten minutes. (Walks of London)
- The exact nature of his relationship with Ronnie in later years.
This breakdown helps separate documented facts from lingering questions about Reggie’s life.
Voices on Reggie Kray
“I never wanted to be a gangster. I wanted to be a boxer. But life took a different path.”
Reggie Kray, from prison letters
“They were ruthless killers who used their celebrity to hide their crimes.”
Detective Superintendent Leonard Read, who arrested the Krays
“He was a different person inside prison – kind, gentle, and remorseful.”
Roberta Jones, Reggie’s second wife
“Mr. Kray is terminally ill and poses no further threat to the public.”
Home Secretary Jack Straw, explaining compassionate release
These perspectives offer a range of views on Reggie’s character and legacy.
For the public still fascinated by the Kray legacy, the choice is between romanticising their era or recognising the damage they did – and Reggie’s own regrets suggest he knew the answer.
Reggie Kray, once one of the most violent men in London, spent his final months as a reportedly gentle patient. Whether that transformation was genuine or a calculated move for leniency remains one of the nagging questions of his story.
The 2015 film Legend cemented Reggie’s image for a new generation, but it glosses over the full brutality of his crimes. Audiences should pair it with documentary material for a balanced view.
For a more detailed look at the full story of the organized crime duo, readers can explore the Kray twins life and crimes.
Frequently asked questions
Are the Kray twins Irish?
No, they were born in London to East End parents. Their family background was East End English, not Irish.
Did Reggie Kray box professionally?
He fought as an amateur boxer in his youth but never turned professional. He showed promise but the criminal life took over.
What crimes did Reggie Kray commit?
He was convicted of murdering Jack McVitie and also involved in protection rackets, armed robbery, arson, and extortion.
How did Reggie Kray die?
He died of bladder cancer on 1 October 2000, just a few weeks after his compassionate release from prison.
Where is Reggie Kray buried?
He was buried in Chingford Mount Cemetery in East London, near his brother Ronnie.
What was Reggie Kray’s relationship with Ronnie Kray?
They were inseparable partners in crime, but Ronnie’s mental illness and volatile temper created tension. Reggie often played the protector role.
Is there a film about Reggie Kray?
Yes, the 2015 film Legend starring Tom Hardy portrays both twins and is the most well‑known cinematic take.
What was Reggie Kray’s net worth?
Estimates vary widely – from £50,000 to £500,000 at the time of his death, but much of his wealth was likely hidden or seized.
These answers address common curiosities about Reggie Kray’s life.
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