Outlaws & Criminals · Early 20th Century
Al Capone’s Last Words
“You can get much farther with a kind word and a gun than you can with a kind word alone.”— Al Capone, January 25, 1947
Who Was Al Capone?
Al Capone was an American gangster who became the notorious boss of the Chicago Outfit during Prohibition. He was convicted of tax evasion in 1931.
The Final Moments
Capone's mental state had deteriorated from neurosyphilis. He died at his Palm Island estate. His famous quote was spoken during his active years.
Are These Words Verified?
This famous quote is from Capone's criminal heyday, not his deathbed. He died incapacitated from neurosyphilis with the mental capacity of a child; his actual final words are unknown and likely incoherent.
Sources
- biography Uncle Al Capone by Deirdre Marie Capone
- biography Capone: The Man and the Era by Laurence Bergreen
Legacy
Capone remains the most famous American gangster. His tax evasion prosecution became a template for organized crime cases.
Frequently Asked Questions
What were Al Capone’s last words?
“You can get much farther with a kind word and a gun than you can with a kind word alone.”
How did Al Capone die?
Al Capone died on January 25, 1947 at the age of 48. Cause of death: Cardiac arrest following stroke and pneumonia.
Were Al Capone’s last words documented?
This famous quote is from Capone's criminal heyday, not his deathbed. He died incapacitated from neurosyphilis with the mental capacity of a child; his actual final words are unknown and likely incoherent.
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