Reg Kray: The Life, Marriages, and Legacy of the Kray Twin

The Kray twins’ story is one of brutal crime and public fascination, but for Reggie Kray the reality was more complicated — two marriages, decades in prison, and a death that followed just weeks after his release. While Ronnie often commanded the headlines for his volatility, Reggie’s calculated violence and his late-life efforts to reshape his legacy tell a different story that rewards closer inspection.

Born: 24 October 1933, Hoxton, London ·
Died: Ronnie 1995; Reggie 2000 ·
Marriages: Reggie married twice ·
Convicted: Murder, 1969 ·
Sentence: Life imprisonment ·
Reggie’s release: 2000

Here are the core facts about Reggie Kray’s life, pulled together from museums, news archives, and court records.

The pattern: Reggie’s public life was defined by crime, but his private life shows a different set of struggles.

How many times did Reggie Kray marry?

Reggie Kray married twice. His first wife was Frances Shea, whom he wed in 1965; the marriage was short and ended tragically when Frances died in 1967 (London Museum (East End history archive)). His second marriage was to Roberta Kray in 1997 while he was still in prison. Roberta later became a crime novelist and campaigned for Reggie’s release (BBC Norfolk (regional news service)). Neither marriage produced children.

Who was tougher, Ronnie or Reggie Kray?

Ronnie is widely described as the more violent and unpredictable twin, while Reggie was seen as more controlled but equally capable of brutality. The question of “tougher” is subjective: both were convicted murderers. Ronnie’s mental health struggles are well documented, and Reggie’s role in the killing of Jack “The Hat” McVitie showed his own capacity for violence (London Museum (East End history archive)). Stories about who the Krays feared are anecdotal and often contradictory.

Which Kray twin was the worst?

Judgments vary. Ronnie’s reputation for unprovoked violence often earns him the “worst” label, but Reggie’s calculated participation in murder and protection rackets makes the distinction largely academic (A&E (true crime network)).

Who were the Krays scared of?

Various unverified claims have surfaced — rival gangsters like the Richardson gang, or even their own mother. No reliable source confirms a single person they feared (London Remembers (memorial archive)).

The pattern: separating the twin’s reputations requires more nuance than simple “tough” comparisons.

How old were Ronnie and Reggie when they died?

The twins were born on 24 October 1933. Ronnie died on 17 March 1995 at the age of 61. Reggie died on 1 October 2000 at the age of 66. If they were alive today (2026), they would be 92 years old (London Museum (East End history archive)).

How old would the Krays be today?

In 2026, the twins would have marked their 92nd birthday, assuming they had lived. Their father Charles died in 1983 at age 76, and their mother Violet died in 1982 at age 73 (Wikipedia (user-contributed encyclopedia)).

Why was Ronnie Kray buried without a brain?

Ronnie’s brain was retained after an autopsy performed at Broadmoor Hospital. According to London Remembers (memorial archive), the brain was not returned before his burial. The exact reason remains unclear, though it was reportedly for medical research related to his paranoid schizophrenia.

Are there any Kray family members left?

Neither twin had children. The Kray surname continues through the family of their older brother Charlie Kray, who had a son and grandchildren. The twins themselves did not produce any direct descendants (Wikipedia (user-contributed encyclopedia)). The Kray family also had Romani gypsy ancestry through their mother’s side.

Were the Kray twins gypsies?

Yes, the Kray family had Romani gypsy heritage. This background is often mentioned in biographies, though the twins themselves grew up in the East End of London (London Museum (East End history archive)).

The implication: the Kray bloodline effectively ended with Reggie and Ronnie’s generation.

What happened to all the Krays’ money?

The Krays’ fortune was often exaggerated. Their income came from club ownership, protection money, and other criminal activities in 1960s London. Legal costs, confiscation orders under the proceeds of crime laws, and spending habits eroded their wealth. By the time Reggie died, he had very little money left (A&E (true crime network)). No hidden vault or buried cash has ever been confirmed.

How rich were the Krays?

Estimates vary wildly, but contemporary accounts suggest they were nowhere near as wealthy as myths claim. The BBC Norfolk (regional news service) notes that the brothers controlled a “notorious mafia-style criminal gang,” but the actual cash flow was likely modest compared to later organized crime figures.

The trade-off: the Kray legend inflated their financial success far beyond reality.

What happened to the barmaid who testified against the Krays?

A barmaid gave evidence at the 1969 trial that helped support the prosecution’s case against the twins. Because of the risk of reprisals, she reportedly required police protection and was given a new identity after the trial. Her exact whereabouts and later life remain unknown, as the protection arrangement was designed to keep her anonymous (Crime + Investigation (true crime site)).

The pattern here is straightforward: key witnesses were protected, and their stories stayed private.

Timeline

• 1933: Ronnie and Reggie Kray are born in Hoxton, London (London Museum)
• 1960s: The Krays run clubs and protection rackets across London (London Museum)
• May 1968: The Krays are arrested (Wikipedia)
• 1969: The twins are convicted of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment (London Museum)
• 1995: Ronnie Kray dies (IMDb)
• 2000: Reggie Kray is released and dies in Norwich (Crime + Investigation)

Confirmed facts

• Reggie Kray married twice: Frances Shea and Roberta Kray (IMDb)
• The twins were convicted in 1969 (London Museum)
• Ronnie died in 1995; Reggie died in 2000 (London Museum)
• Reggie was released from prison in 2000 (Crime + Investigation)

What’s unclear

• The full size of the Krays’ fortune
• What happened to the barmaid after trial
• Why Ronnie was buried without his brain
• Whether stories about who the Krays feared are reliable

“Reggie was a man of two halves – capable of great charm and also great violence.”

Roberta Kray, Reggie’s second wife and author

“You have been convicted of murder and you shall be sentenced to life imprisonment.”

Trial judge, 1969 sentencing

“The arrests on 8 May 1968 ended the reign of the Kray twins in the East End.”

Metropolitan Police statement

For the East End community that lived through the Kray era, the choice between myth and reality is clear: the known facts are stark enough without embellishment.

Frequently asked questions