Vito Genovese was born in Rosiglino, Italy on 2th November, 1897. He arrived in the United States in 1913 and by the late 1920s was a leading member of the Lucky Luciano gang. About to be arrested for murder, Genovese returned to Italy in 1937 where he soon became a close friend of Benito Mussolini.

After the Second World War, Genovese was brought back to the United States and charged with murder. However, the main witness against him, Peter La Tempa, was murdered while in protective custody and the authorities were forced to release him. After arranging the murder of several gang leaders, including Albert Anastasia in 1957, Genovese established himself as the most important criminal boss in the New York area.

In 1958 Genovese was arrested by the police and charged with smuggling and distributing drugs. The following year he was found guilty and sentenced to 15 years imprisonment.

Vito Genovese died of a heart attack in the Springfield prison hospital, on 14th February, 1969.