
Donata Ragone was the first wife of Italian-born American mobster Vito Genovese. Donata’s husband Vito also known as “Don Vitone” was a long-time associate and childhood friend of Lucky Luciano, an Italian-born gangster. Vito would later lead Luciano’s crime family, which was renamed the Genovese crime family in his honor.
Donata Ragone: Bio Summary
Name | Donata Ragone |
Famous as | wife of Vito Genovese |
Date of birth | February 1903 |
Place of birth | United States |
Died | 17 September 1931 (aged 28) |
Nationality | American |
Parents | Anthony Ragour and Leonarda Di Lorenzo |
Spouse | Vito Genovese |
Children | Nancy Genovese |
Who Was Vito Genovese’s First Wife, Donata Ragone?
Donata Ragone was welcomed into the world in February 1903, in the United States of America. Her parents were Anthony Ragour and Leonarda Di Lorenzo. It is unknown if she has any siblings or not. Details regarding Donata’s early life, family, and education are limited on the internet. She was a housewife. She got married to Vito Genovese.
Donata Ragone and Vito Genovese gave birth to a daughter Nancy Genovese. Donata lived a very private life and maintained a low profile. Donata, her husband Vito Genovese, and their daughter Nancy lived in Queens, according to Daily Mail. During Donata’s marriage to Vito, Vito was reportedly violent toward her.
According to publicly available information, there was an incident in which Vito hit Donata with the back of his hand because she accidentally spilled wine on one of his associate’s sleeves. Their union had its share of ups and downs but Donata Ragone and Vito Genovese remained married until Donata passed away in 1931.
Soon after Donata died, her husband Vito revealed his intentions to marry Anna Genovese (formerly Vernotico, née Giovaninna Petillo; 28 October 1905 – January 1982), his cousin via her mother, Concetta y Cassini Genovese. Anna was already a married woman. She was married to her first husband, Gerard “Gerry” Vernotico.
On March 16, 1932, Anna Genovese’s husband Gerard Vernotico was found strangled to death on a Manhattan rooftop. Vito is said to have either been responsible for or involved with the murder of Gerard. Vito married Anna on March 28, 1932. They had a son Philip Genovese. Anna had a daughter Marie Vernotico Genovese with her first husband.
Anna Genovese became involved in Vito Genovese’s business. She was a businesswoman in the Italian mob. She played a key role in Manhattan’s drag bar scene in the middle of the 20th century. She also ran nightclubs and gay and drag bars in Lower Manhattan, whose profits she siphoned to the crime syndicate.
ALSO, READ: Anna Vernotico: What Happened To Vito Genovese’s Wife?
Rumors had it that Anna was bisexual or a lesbian. Anna would walk out on Vito in 1950. She asked, in court, for $200 per week in maintenance, which meant alimony without the divorce. She dropped the divorce suit in 1951. Anna testified to Vito’s involvement in criminal rackets, an unheard-of action by the wife of a mob figure.
What Happened To Donata Ragone’s Husband Vito?

Donata Ragone’s husband mobster Vito Genovese was convicted on narcotics conspiracy charges. On April 17, 1959, he was sentenced to 15 years in the Atlanta Federal Penitentiary in Atlanta. Even in prison, he tried to run his crime family. From prison, he continued to rule and order the killing of rivals. He died on February 14, 1969, at age 71.
Vito Genovese died at the United States Medical Center for Federal Prisoners in Springfield, Missouri. He was killed by a heart attack. He is buried in Saint John Cemetery in Middle Village, Queens.
How Did Vito Genovese’s First Wife Die?
Donata Ragone died of tuberculosis. She took her last breath on 17 September 1931, at age 28, and was buried at Saint John Cemetery and Mausoleum, Middle Village, Queens County, New York, USA. There have been rumors that her husband Vito Genovese played a part in her death.
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