Albert Francis Capone

Albert Francis Capone (December 4, 1918 – July 8, 2004), also known as Sonny, was the son of Al Capone.

Albert Francis Capone was born in New York on December 4, 1918 to parents Al Capone and Mae Coughlin. He was born with congenital syphilis, which his father had contracted years before. At the age of seven Albert developed a serious mastoiditis. Risky brain surgery was required. He survived, but was left partially deaf. On Albert's 10th birthday, the Capones threw a party for him, inviting 50 of his Catholic school friends. Al, not wanting to offend the already watchful authorities, stipulated that the children must bring signed parental permission slips. Few refused the invitation to this or other Capone gatherings.

He went to high school in Miami with Desi Arnaz. In 1941, he married Diana Ruth Casey. They had four daughters: Veronica, Teresa, Barbara, and Patricia. They later divorced, and he remarried twice. In contrast to his father, Albert led a lawful life.

Albert Francis died aged 85 in 2004 in Florida. He was buried in California.

Real mother?
In her 2010 book about her notorious uncle, Al Capone's niece Deirdre Capone claimed Albert was not the son of Mae Capone née Coughlin. His biological mother had actually died during child birth due to complications from syphilis she had contracted from Capone. As a devout Catholic, Capone's mother, Theresa, wanted Sonny to have a mother. She asked 20-year-old church-going Coughlin, who was unable to have children of her own, to marry her son and raise her grandson. Couglin agreed and became Albert's devoted mother.