Net Worth Ranker
What Is Sammy “The Bull” Gravano’s Net Worth?
Salvatore “Sammy the Bull” Gravano, an Italian-American former mobster, boasts a net worth of approximately $500,000 as of 2025. This financial standing reflects a life interwoven with organized crime, government cooperation, and subsequent ventures into media and business.
Early Life and Introduction to Mob Life
Born on March 12, 1945, in Brooklyn, New York, to Sicilian immigrant parents Giorlando “Gerry” and Caterina “Kay” Gravano, Sammy’s early life was marked by challenges. Suffering from dyslexia and facing bullying in school, he found solace and recognition on the streets. At 13, he joined the Rampers street gang. A pivotal moment occurred when he confronted thieves who had stolen his bicycle, impressing onlookers with his tenacity. One of the men watching noted that he “fought like a bull,” which earned him his notorious nickname. In 1964, Gravano was drafted into the Army and served at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, as a mess hall cook. He rose to the rank of corporal during his two-year service before receiving an honorable discharge.
Despite his father’s attempts to steer him away, Gravano entered organized crime at the age of 23. He initially became associated with the Colombo crime family. Gravano’s early criminal activities included armed robbery, larceny, and hijacking. He quickly garnered favor with the family boss, Joe Colombo. Gravano committed his first murder in 1970, killing Joseph Colucci for having an affair with the wife of a fellow associate. This act cemented his position within the criminal underworld.
Rise Through the Gambino Family
After his time as a Colombo associate, Gravano shifted his allegiance to the Brooklyn faction of the Gambino family. He played a significant role in the conspiracy to execute Paul Castellano, the head of the Gambino family. Gravano’s direct involvement in Castellano’s murder led John Gotti to promote him to underboss. He held this position until he agreed to become a government witness against Gotti. Gravano’s decision to cooperate with the prosecution marked a significant turning point, making him the highest-ranking member of organized crime in New York City to break his oath and collaborate with the government.
In 1991, Gravano turned state’s evidence and testified against Gotti. His testimony was crucial in securing the convictions of Gotti and Frank Locascio, both of whom received life sentences without parole. Gravano himself was sentenced to five years in prison, but having already served four years, his sentence was commuted to less than a year. This leniency was a direct result of his cooperation and the invaluable testimony he provided.
Life After Witness Protection and Return to Crime
Released from prison in 1994, Gravano entered the US Witness Protection Program. Under the alias Jimmy Moran, he was relocated to Tempe, Arizona, and started a swimming pool installation company. However, he struggled to adhere to the program’s restrictions and left in 1995. Gravano moved to Scottsdale, Arizona, and underwent plastic surgery to alter his appearance. During this period, he began granting high-profile interviews, offering insights into his life and experiences within the mafia.
In 1997, Gravano co-authored the book “Underboss” with Peter Maas. The book detailed his life in the mafia and his role in bringing down John Gotti. “Underboss” became a bestseller, generating significant revenue for Gravano. However, it also led to legal challenges. Family members filed multi-million dollar lawsuits, and New York State took legal action to seize Gravano’s profits from the book. The exact earnings from “Underboss” remain confidential, but estimates suggest Gravano received hundreds of thousands of dollars in royalties and advances.
Despite his attempts at a legitimate life, Gravano returned to criminal activities in the late 1990s. He partnered with a local youth gang called the Devil Dogs and established an ecstasy trafficking ring in New York City. At its peak, the ring was selling over 30,000 tablets per week, generating approximately $500,000 in gross revenue each week. In February 2000, Gravano was arrested along with nearly 40 other members of the ring, including his wife and daughter, on federal and state drug charges. He pleaded guilty to both charges in the summer of 2001.
Sentencing, Imprisonment, and Later Life
On September 7, 2002, Gravano was sentenced to 20 years in prison. He served his sentence in solitary confinement at ADX Florence, a maximum-security federal prison. In addition to his prison sentence, Gravano was ordered to pay $805,713 as reimbursement for court costs and the investigation. This financial penalty further reduced his net worth and added to his legal troubles.
In 2003, Gravano was indicted for ordering the 1980 murder of detective Peter Calabro by Richard Kuklinski. At the time, he denied any involvement in Calabro’s death and rejected a plea deal that would have spared him additional jail time if he confessed to the crime. However, all charges against Gravano were dropped in 2006 after Kuklinski’s death. This legal victory prevented further erosion of his assets and spared him additional prison time.
In August 2015, Gravano requested early release from prison, but his request was denied due to his “long-standing reputation for extreme violence.” Initially scheduled for release in March 2019, he was eventually released early in September 2017. Upon his release, Gravano entered a world vastly different from the one he had left behind. He embraced social media, launching a YouTube channel and a podcast titled “Our Thing” in December 2020. As of today, he has amassed a significant following on social media platforms, with over 56,000 followers on Instagram. These ventures have contributed to his income, although the exact figures are not publicly available.
Personal Life Details
Gravano married Debra Scitbetta in 1971. She later became actively involved in his drug ring and was also indicted on related charges. During his mob career, Sammy was ordered to arrange the murder of his brother-in-law, Nicholas Scibetta. The couple divorced in 1996. Sammy and Debra had two children together. Their daughter, Karen Gravano, appeared in the VH1 series “Mob Wives” in 2011. She released a book in 2013 titled “Mob Daughter: The Mafia, Sammy ‘The Bull’ Gravano, and Me.” The success of Karen Gravano’s book and television appearances likely contributed to the family’s overall income, but the specific financial benefits for Sammy Gravano are not publicly documented.
In 2002, Sammy was diagnosed with Grave’s disease, a thyroid disorder that causes fatigue, weight loss, and hair loss. The medical expenses associated with his condition may have impacted his financial resources. Sammy Gravano’s financial journey has been characterized by periods of wealth accumulation through criminal activities, followed by significant losses due to legal penalties, forfeitures, and imprisonment. His current net worth of $500,000 reflects the culmination of these factors and his more recent endeavors in media and entertainment.
