The myth of the Kray twins as sharp-suited gangsters masks a darker story of mental illness and controversy. This article examines Ronnie Kray’s paranoid schizophrenia, his marriage and children, his death, and how his mental health shaped his criminal legacy.
Born: 24 October 1933 ·
Died: 17 March 1995 ·
Known for: Organized crime, Kray twins ·
Prison sentence: Life imprisonment ·
Diagnosis: Paranoid schizophrenia ·
Brain removal: Post-mortem (1995)
Quick snapshot
- Diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia (Biography.com (biographical reference))
- Never married (Crime + Investigation (crime documentary network))
- Died in Broadmoor Hospital on 17 March 1995 (Daily Star (UK tabloid))
- Exact nature of his relationships with women (The Kray Twins Wiki (fan community reference))
- Whether he fathered any unrecognized children (The Kray Twins Wiki (fan community reference))
- Full details of why his brain was removed post-mortem (The Kray Twins Wiki (fan community reference))
- Whether he had any known children (The Kray Twins Wiki (fan community reference))
- Born 24 October 1933, Haggerston, London (Crime + Investigation)
- Criminal empire peaks in the 1960s (Biography.com)
- Convicted of murder on 8 March 1969 (Crime + Investigation)
- Died in Broadmoor 17 March 1995 (Daily Star)
- Ongoing fascination with the Krays in films and documentaries
- Continued debate over the role of mental health in their crimes
- Unresolved questions about the brain removal controversy
Seven key facts about Ronnie Kray, one pattern: his life was defined by crime, mental illness, and a mysterious post-mortem.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Ronald “Ronnie” Kray |
| Born | 24 October 1933 |
| Died | 17 March 1995 |
| Diagnosis | Paranoid schizophrenia |
| Spouse | None |
| Children | None known |
| Kray twin brother | Reggie Kray |
What was Ronnie Kray diagnosed with?
What were the symptoms of Ronnie Kray’s condition?
- Violent outbursts and unprovoked aggression
- Paranoid delusions, including belief that others were plotting against him
- Homicidal tendencies, as described by a doctor who examined him (Crime Library (true crime reference))
Ronnie Kray was formally diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia in 1958 at Long Grove Mental Hospital in Surrey, after his mental health deteriorated following the death of his aunt Rose on Christmas Day 1957 (Crime + Investigation (crime documentary network)). The diagnosis was later confirmed by multiple psychiatric assessments. According to Biography.com (biographical reference), he was described as “insane” while in prison, yet he was still held legally accountable for his crimes.
Ronnie Kray was deemed legally insane by psychiatrists, but the British legal system still convicted him of murder. The trade-off between mental health mitigation and criminal responsibility remains a central tension in his story.
Why was Ronnie Kray’s brain removed?
After his death on 17 March 1995, Ronnie Kray’s brain was removed during an autopsy at Wexham Park Hospital. A 1997 report by The Independent (UK newspaper) revealed that the brain had been taken to a laboratory in Oxford without the knowledge of his family. A lawyer acting for the Krays stated that the brain had been removed for experimentation. The Home Office later said it understood the brain was removed for medical research rather than to determine cause of death (Breaking Law (legal analysis site)).
The implication: Ronnie Kray’s mental illness was severe enough to warrant a diagnosis of paranoid schizophrenia, yet the legal system treated him as fully culpable. The post-mortem brain removal adds a layer of medical mystery that continues to fuel speculation.
Did Ronnie Kray ever marry?
Did Ronnie Kray have a child?
- Ronnie Kray never married (Biography.com (biographical reference))
- He had no known children (The Kray Twins Wiki (fan community reference))
- He had relationships with women, but no legitimate offspring have been confirmed
The implication: Ronnie Kray’s personal life was overshadowed by his criminal career and mental illness. He never established a family, leaving his legacy solely tied to the Kray twins’ notoriety.
What happened to Ronald Kray?
How did Ronnie Kray die?
- Ronnie Kray died in Broadmoor Hospital on 17 March 1995 (Daily Star (UK tabloid))
- Cause of death was a heart attack
- He spent 37 years incarcerated
After his conviction in 1969, Ronnie Kray was initially held in prison but was later transferred to Broadmoor, a high-security psychiatric hospital, due to his deteriorating mental health (Crime + Investigation (crime documentary network)). He died there at the age of 61.
Where is Ronnie Kray buried?
Ronnie Kray’s body was buried in a cemetery in London, though the exact location is not widely publicized. The controversy over his brain removal—which was buried separately—adds a macabre footnote to his final resting place. According to The Daily Star, his brain was later returned and buried with him, but the circumstances remain disputed.
The pattern: Ronnie Kray’s death, like his life, was marked by institutional control and unresolved medical mysteries. The 37 years he spent behind bars (including time in Broadmoor) reflect the state’s inability to reconcile his criminality with his illness.
Were the Kray twins Irish?
What is the Kray family background?
- The Kray twins were of Irish descent through their mother, Violet Lee (The Kray Twins Wiki (fan community reference))
- They were born in London’s East End
- Their father, Charles Kray, also had Irish roots
Despite their Irish heritage, the Krays were deeply tied to London’s East End. Their mother, Violet, was a strong influence, and Ronnie was known to be particularly close to her. The family’s Irish background was a source of pride, but they identified as Londoners first and foremost.
The trade-off: The Kray twins’ Irish heritage gave them a sense of identity, but it was their East End upbringing that shaped their criminal careers. The myth of the Irish gangster often overshadows the reality of their London roots.
Who was more violent, Ronnie or Reggie Kray?
What was their reputation for violence?
Comparing the two brothers shows clear differences.
| Aspect | Ronnie Kray | Reggie Kray |
|---|---|---|
| Violence style | Volatile, prone to unprovoked outbursts | Calculated, cold-blooded |
| Mental health | Diagnosed paranoid schizophrenia | Possible paranoia, depression (unconfirmed) |
| Public perception | Pathologically violent | Controlled but equally feared |
- Ronnie was considered more volatile and prone to unprovoked violence (Crime + Investigation (crime documentary network))
- Reggie was more calculated but also capable of extreme violence
- Ronnie’s paranoid schizophrenia contributed to his unpredictability
According to Biography.com, Ronnie Kray was described as “insane” and his violent outbursts were often attributed to his mental illness. In contrast, Reggie Kray was seen as the more controlled brother, though he was equally feared. A 2023 report by The Sun (UK tabloid) noted that Reggie showed paranoia and depression in prison, suggesting that mental health issues may have affected both twins.
The distinction between Ronnie’s diagnosed schizophrenia and Reggie’s possible paranoia shapes how the public remembers each brother. Ronnie’s violence is often pathological, while Reggie’s is seen as calculated—but both men were products of the same environment and genetics.
The pattern: While Ronnie’s mental illness provides a clear explanation for his violence, Reggie’s role complicates the narrative. The Kray twins were a partnership of two very different types of danger.
Timeline of Ronnie Kray’s life
- : Ronnie and Reggie Kray born in Haggerston, London. (Crime + Investigation)
- : The twins become involved in organized crime, building the Firm. (Biography.com)
- : Height of their criminal empire; become celebrities but also commit murders. (Crime + Investigation)
- : Convicted of murder; sentenced to life imprisonment. (Crime + Investigation)
- : Ronnie Kray dies of a heart attack in Broadmoor Hospital. (Daily Star)
The pattern: Ronnie Kray’s life followed a trajectory from local gangster to national celebrity to institutionalized patient. The timeline shows how his criminal peak coincided with the 1960s, a decade of social change that the Krays both exploited and symbolized.
What we know and what remains unclear
Confirmed facts
- Ronnie Kray was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia (Biography.com)
- He never married (Biography.com)
- He died in Broadmoor Hospital on 17 March 1995 (Daily Star)
- His brain was removed post-mortem without family consent (The Independent)
Uncertainties
- Exact details of his romantic relationships
- Whether he fathered any unrecognized children
- Full explanation of why his brain was removed and where it ended up
- Whether his mental health fully accounted for his violent behavior
- Whether he had any known children (The Kray Twins Wiki)
Key quotes on Ronnie Kray’s mental state
“He is homicidal and shows signs of advanced paranoid schizophrenia.”
— Doctor’s assessment of Ronnie Kray, as reported by Crime Library (true crime reference)
“Ronnie Kray was later described as having been diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia and labeled insane while in prison.”
— Biography.com (biographical reference)
For the British public, the story of Ronnie Kray is a cautionary tale about the intersection of mental illness and criminal justice. The system failed to treat his paranoid schizophrenia effectively, and the post-mortem controversy only deepened the mistrust. The lesson is clear: understanding a criminal’s mind requires more than a diagnosis—it demands transparency and accountability.
Related reading
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- Muhammad Ali: Parkinson’s, Legacy, and the Tyson Debate
Frequently asked questions
What was Ronnie Kray’s IQ?
There is no verified public record of Ronnie Kray’s IQ score.
Did Ronnie Kray have any friends in prison?
He reportedly had a small circle of associates but remained largely isolated, especially in Broadmoor.
How long was Ronnie Kray in prison?
He was incarcerated for 37 years, from 1969 until his death in 1995.
What was the Kray twins’ criminal empire?
They ran a gang called “The Firm” involved in murder, arson, extortion, and protection rackets in London’s East End.
Why were the Kray twins feared?
Their reputation for extreme violence, Ronnie’s unpredictable outbursts, and their connections with politicians and entertainers made them feared and untouchable for years.
How did Ronnie Kray treat his mother?
He was reportedly very close to his mother Violet and was known to be protective of her.
What is the film ‘Legend’ about?
The 2015 film Legend stars Tom Hardy as both Kray twins and depicts their rise and fall in the 1960s.
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Craig Newton is Senior Reporter at ScopePress.uk, covering breaking technology news and consumer tech stories across the UK.