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Who Was Bugsy Siegel?
Bugsy Siegel, a notorious figure in organized crime, rose to power through bootlegging, gambling, and violent tactics, eventually playing a significant role in shaping the early Las Vegas gambling scene. He is most famously known for founding the Flamingo Hotel and Casino, marking the beginning of what would become a legendary gambling empire in the Las Vegas desert. Siegel’s life came to a sudden end in 1947 when he was shot and killed at his girlfriend Virginia Hill’s home at the age of 41.
Early Life
Born Benjamin Siegel on February 28, 1906, in Brooklyn, New York, he was the son of Jewish immigrants. Siegel grew up in a tough neighborhood in Williamsburg, where crime was rampant, with Irish and Italian gangs dominating the area. Even as a teenager, Siegel displayed a penchant for criminal activity, extorting pushcart vendors in New York City’s Lower East Side. In 1918, he forged a lifelong partnership with fellow criminal Meyer Lansky, and together they formed the Bugs-Meyer Gang. This group became known for its ruthlessness and was associated with Murder, Inc., a notorious organization of contract killers.
Criminal Activity
Throughout the 1920s, as Charles “Lucky” Luciano and other Mafia leaders worked to establish a national crime syndicate, Siegel quickly gained prominence within these circles. His aggressive and unpredictable behavior earned him the nickname “Bugsy.” Siegel was integral to many of the syndicate’s operations, including his involvement in the assassination of Sicilian mob boss Joe “the Boss” Masseria in 1931, a pivotal moment in New York’s organized crime history.
In 1937, Siegel moved his criminal enterprises to the West Coast, where he expanded his operations to include bootlegging, gambling, and offshore gambling ships. He also gained control over prostitution, narcotics, and bookmaking rackets in the region. Despite his deep involvement in crime, Siegel maintained a luxurious lifestyle in Beverly Hills, where he purchased an opulent estate and became a fixture in Hollywood’s elite social scene, mingling with movie stars and industry moguls.
Siegel’s blend of criminal ambition and glamour made him a larger-than-life figure in American crime history.
Las Vegas and the Flamingo Hotel: The Story of Bugsy Siegel
In the late 1930s, Benjamin “Bugsy” Siegel began a relationship with actress Virginia Hill. The couple became known for their striking appearance, as well as their notoriously volatile temperaments. In 1945, Siegel and Hill moved to Las Vegas, where Siegel pursued his vision of transforming the Nevada desert into a gambling hub. Backed by funding from the Eastern crime syndicate, he oversaw the construction of the Flamingo Hotel and Casino.
Originally planned with a budget of $1.5 million, the project quickly spiraled out of control as costs soared beyond $6 million. It was later revealed that much of the financial overrun was due to Siegel’s mismanagement and embezzlement. This enraged Meyer Lansky, a key figure in the crime syndicate and a longtime associate of Siegel.
The Tragic End
On the night of June 20, 1947, Siegel was assassinated in Beverly Hills. While visiting Virginia Hill’s home, a barrage of bullets was fired through her living room window, killing him instantly. At the same time, associates of Lansky entered the Flamingo Hotel in Las Vegas and took control of the operation. While Lansky denied involvement in Siegel’s murder, it is widely believed that the hit was ordered by the syndicate as punishment for his financial indiscretions.
Family Life: Wife and Daughters
Siegel married his childhood sweetheart, Esta Krakower, in January 1929, and the couple had two daughters, Millicent (who passed away in 2017) and Barbara. However, Siegel’s infidelity led to the couple’s divorce in 1946. Following the split, Esta moved with their daughters back to New York, leaving Beverly Hills behind.
Siegel’s Legacy in Film
Bugsy Siegel’s life has been the subject of several films. Most notably, the 1991 film Bugsy, starring Warren Beatty, brought Siegel’s story to the big screen and earned critical acclaim. That same year, the crime drama Mobsters, featuring Richard Grieco, also depicted Siegel’s rise in the world of organized crime.
Siegel’s vision for Las Vegas left a lasting impact, with the Flamingo Hotel standing as a symbol of the city’s transformation into a global gambling and entertainment destination.