Reginald Kray (October 24, 1933 – October 1, 2000), known as Reggie, was one half of the infamous Kray twins, alongside his identical brother Ronald (Ronnie). Active in the London underworld from the late 1950s to their arrest in 1968, the Krays became notorious figures in organized crime.
Operating from Bethnal Green, the twins led a gang known as the Firm, engaging in a variety of criminal activities including murder, armed robbery, arson, protection rackets, and illegal gambling. Their reign of power coincided with a period in the 1960s when they achieved a notable level of celebrity, frequently being seen with high-profile individuals from London society. They captured public attention through photographs by renowned photographer David Bailey and made appearances on television, which further solidified their notoriety.
Their criminal activities eventually caught up with them, leading to their arrest on May 8, 1968. Following a thorough investigation by Detective Superintendent Leonard "Nipper" Read, both brothers were convicted in 1969 and sentenced to life imprisonment. Reggie was released on compassionate grounds in August 2000, just a short time before his death from cancer on October 1, 2000. The Kray twins remain a significant part of London’s criminal history, symbolizing the intersection of crime and celebrity in the 20th century.
