Kray Twins — Fun Facts
“They ruled the East End with sharp suits, fast fists, and fearless charm.”
15 Fun Facts About the Kray Twins
Loved by some, feared by many, the Krays became unlikely celebrities at the heart of Swinging London.
Minutes Apart: Ronnie and Reggie were born on 24 October 1933, minutes apart.
Boxing First: Both trained as promising boxers before crime took over.
Violet’s Word Was Law: Their mother was the one person they’d never cross.
West End Operators: They owned the fashionable club Esmeralda’s Barn.
Celebrity Circles: Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland and Barbara Windsor visited their venues.
Pet Lion: They kept a lion named César that outgrew the flat.
Ronnie’s Openness: Ronnie was openly gay despite the risks of the era.
Reggie’s Prison Wedding: He married while incarcerated in 1965.
Best-Dressed Gangsters: Immaculate suits and ties became their armor.
“Fort Vallance”: Their Bethnal Green base became legend to locals.
Jury Intimidation: A notorious early trial saw them stare down jurors.
Political Dreams: Ronnie once fancied standing for Parliament.
Turning Tides: Informants helped Scotland Yard bring them down in the late ’60s.
Fame Behind Bars: Even in prison, they attracted attention and deference.
Pop-Culture Icons: Their story keeps inspiring books and films.
Did You Know? — Kray Twins Trivia
1
They appeared on British TV discussing East End life.
2
Pet lion César lived in a scrapyard once it got too big.
3
They became the first conscripted soldiers jailed in the Tower of London.
4
“The Firm” was the name of their organisation.
5
Esmeralda’s Barn began life as a gambling den.
6
Sinatra reportedly hesitated to shake Ronnie’s hand.
7
Fashion-obsessed: bespoke suits, silk ties, perfect parts.
8
Bodyguard nicknamed “The Colonel.”
9
Ronnie wrote poetry and collected military history books.
10
Reggie coached fellow inmates in boxing.
11
Rivals sent flowers to their mother Violet’s funeral.
12
Brother Charlie handled business and publicity.
13
They sometimes signed autographs for officers en route to court.
14
Kray memorabilia still fetches high prices from collectors.
15
They remain enduring characters in British pop culture.