Veronica Capone: Al Capone’s Granddaughter Who Built Her Own Legacy Capone
Veronica Capone Frances “Ronnie” Capone Peterson was born on January 9, 1943, in Miami Beach, Florida, as the first child of Albert Francis “Sonny” Capone and Diana Ruth Casey. She was Al Capone’s eldest granddaughter. Her grandfather died in 1947 when she was only four years old.
Unlike the criminal empire that made her grandfather infamous, Veronica chose a different path. She worked for over 20 years in administrative and managerial roles in the semiconductor field, most notably at Fairchild in Mountain View. She married Gordon Peterson in 1976 and shared over three decades of marriage with him until her death on November 17, 2007, from complications of Acute Myelogenous Leukemia.
Veronica spent most of her adult life in California’s Bay Area. She raised three children—Rod, DeVon, and LeeRae Bacon—in Sunnyvale with her first husband, Bob Bacon. Later, as Peterson’s wife, she became stepmother to two more children: Eric and Cassie Peterson.
Quick Facts About Veronica Capone
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Birth Date | January 9, 1943 |
| Birth Place | Miami Beach, Florida |
| Death Date | November 17, 2007 |
| Age at Death | 64 years |
| Parents | Albert Francis “Sonny” Capone, Diana Ruth Casey |
| Siblings | Patricia (Diane), Barbara, Teresa |
| Marriages | Bob Bacon (first husband), Gordon Peterson (1976-2007) |
| Children | 3 biological, 2 stepchildren |
| Career | Semiconductor industry administrator |
Growing Up as Al Capone’s Granddaughter
Veronica’s childhood in Miami Beach was far removed from Chicago’s gang violence. Her father purchased a home in Miami Shores, where all four daughters were born and raised. Sonny Capone worked as an accountant, deliberately distancing himself from his father’s criminal activities.
Despite their parents’ efforts, the sisters faced uncomfortable questions and hurtful remarks about their family history. Their father taught them to handle these situations with dignity, explaining that people who made such comments were often simply uninformed rather than intentionally cruel.
Veronica attended St. Mary’s Catholic School and graduated from Notre Dame Academy. In 1960, the family moved to Palo Alto, California, when her mother relocated due to marital difficulties. This move marked a turning point, placing even more distance between the Capone daughters and their grandfather’s Chicago legacy.
The Reality of Carrying the Capone Name
The weight of the Capone surname followed Veronica Capone throughout her life. Her father understood this burden. In 1966, Albert Francis Capone legally changed his name to Albert Francis Brown because he was “just sick and tired of fighting the name”.
Veronica took a different approach. Rather than abandon her heritage, she lived quietly under her married name while maintaining ties to her family history. This balance allowed her to build her own identity without completely rejecting where she came from.
Veronica’s Professional Life and Personal Interests
For more than two decades, Veronica built a career in California’s semiconductor industry, working in various administrative and managerial capacities. Her time at Fairchild Semiconductor in Mountain View coincided with Silicon Valley’s transformation into a technology hub.
Her professional success demonstrated that the Capone name didn’t define her capabilities. She carved out a career based on her own skills and work ethic.
A Life Rich in Experiences
Veronica was an avid traveler who explored many parts of the world, with particular fondness for Africa, which she visited multiple times. Her interests encompassed food, arts, film, ballet, music, and literature.
She loved debate and was at her best when embroiled in political arguments, yet she remained respectful of differing opinions, and all arguments ended with laughter. Friends remembered her as “the cleanest fighter in the world”—someone who could disagree vehemently while maintaining consideration for others’ feelings.
Shortly before her diagnosis, she had traveled to Africa for the second time with her stepmother, Amie. This adventurous spirit stayed with her throughout her life.
Family Relationships and the Capone Sisters
The four Capone sisters—Veronica, Patricia (who goes by Diane), Barbara, and Teresa—maintained close bonds throughout their lives. Diane revealed in 2021 that Veronica had died “some years ago,” calling it “just devastating”.
Each sister handled their family legacy differently. Diane became the most public figure, writing books about their grandfather. Veronica chose a quieter path but supported her sisters’ efforts to share a more complete picture of their family.
Memories of “Papa”
To the granddaughters, Al Capone was simply “Papa”—not the feared gangster the public knew. Diane recalled being 3 years old when her grandfather died, remembering him lifting her onto his bed to kiss him goodbye and hearing him say, “I love you, baby girl”.
Diane remembered her grandfather playing leapfrog with them and pointing out figurines and flowers in his garden. These personal memories contrasted sharply with public perceptions of the notorious gangster.
The 2021 Estate Auction: Sharing the Family Story
Years after Veronica’s death, her sisters organized a significant event. In October 2021, Al Capone’s three surviving granddaughters auctioned off 174 items from their grandfather’s estate. The auction, titled “A Century of Notoriety: The Estate of Al Capone,” took place in Sacramento, California.
The decision to auction came because the sisters were getting older and wanted to share the stories behind the items rather than have them go to people who wouldn’t know their significance. California wildfires threatening Diane’s Auburn home also motivated the decision, as a fire would put the collection at risk.
Items sold included:
- Al Capone’s favorite Colt .45 semiautomatic pistol (starting bid: $50,000)
- A diamond-encrusted money clip
- Platinum and diamond pocket watch
- Personal letters from Alcatraz
- Family photographs
- Home furnishings and china
Diane emphasized that while the world knew him as “Scarface” and “Public Enemy Number One,” she knew him as “Papa” and wanted people to know he was not all bad.
Veronica’s Battle with Leukemia
In June 2007, Veronica received a diagnosis of Acute Myelogenous Leukemia and fought the disease for five months. She spent almost three months at Mercy San Juan Hospital undergoing chemotherapy, then enrolled in a clinical trial at Stanford Hospital.
She said she might not survive the clinical trial, but maybe the information gained would help someone else. This selfless perspective defined her character even in her final months.
After the clinical trial proved unsuccessful, she returned home and eventually entered Auburn Faith Hospital in Auburn, California, where she died on November 17, 2007. She died as she had lived—with grace, beauty, and courage, surrounded by loved ones.
Understanding Al Capone’s Family Tree
To understand Veronica’s place in history, you need to know the family structure:
Al Capone’s Immediate Family:
- Wife: Mae Josephine Coughlin Capone (married 1918, died 1986)
- Son: Albert Francis “Sonny” Capone (1918-2004)
- Daughters-in-law: Diana Ruth Casey (first wife), plus two subsequent wives
Sonny Capone’s Four Daughters:
- Veronica Frances Capone (1943-2007) – eldest
- Patricia “Diane” Capone (born 1944) – author, the most public of the sisters
- Barbara Capone (birth year unclear)
- Teresa “Terri” Capone (birth year unclear)
Sonny and Diana divorced in July 1964, and Sonny remarried twice. He died on July 8, 2004, in Auburn Lake Trails, California.
How Veronica Differed from Other Capone Descendants
Each of Al Capone’s granddaughters handled their legacy differently. Diane wrote books and gave interviews. Barbara and Teresa maintained lower profiles. Veronica chose her own path.
She lived under her married names—first as Veronica Bacon, then as Veronica Peterson. This provided some anonymity while raising her family. She worked a regular job in an industry completely unrelated to her grandfather’s world. She built friendships based on who she was, not whose granddaughter she happened to be.
Yet she didn’t completely reject her heritage. She supported her sisters when they decided to share their stories. She participated in family decisions about their grandfather’s estate. She found a middle ground between total rejection and public exploitation of the Capone name.
The Legacy Veronica Left Behind
Veronica is survived by her husband of 31 years, Gordon Peterson, her three sisters, her stepmother, America Francis, her five stepchildren, nine grandchildren, three nephews, and one niece. She also left behind countless friends across the world.
Her life demonstrated that family history doesn’t have to define personal destiny. Born into America’s most infamous crime family, she built a life characterized by work, family, intellectual curiosity, and compassion.
Rather than being defined by her family name, she created her own identity through meaningful relationships, diverse interests, and contributions to others. She volunteered her time, drove disabled veterans to medical appointments, and supported charitable causes, including a village school in Kenya.
Lessons from Veronica’s Life
Veronica Capone’s story offers several takeaways:
- Identity is a choice. Despite being born into notoriety, she built her own reputation based on her actions and character.
- Privacy has value. In an age increasingly focused on public visibility, she demonstrated that living well doesn’t require living publicly.
- Family complexity is normal. She maintained relationships with her sisters while each chose different levels of public engagement with their heritage.
- Grace under pressure matters. From handling childhood questions about her grandfather to facing terminal illness, she maintained dignity and consideration for others.
Final Thoughts
Veronica Frances “Ronnie” Capone Peterson lived 64 years that proved family history doesn’t determine individual character. Born as Al Capone’s first grandchild, she could have exploited that connection or hidden from it entirely. Instead, she chose a third path—acknowledging her heritage while building a life defined by her own values and choices.
She is remembered not primarily as “Al Capone’s granddaughter” but for her vibrant personality, zest for life, and compassion for others. Her career in technology, her volunteer work, her travels, and her love of intellectual debate all contributed to a legacy entirely separate from her grandfather’s criminal empire.
She died as she lived—with grace, beauty, and courage. That epitaph tells you everything you need to know about who Veronica Capone really was.
FAQs
What was Veronica Capone’s relationship to Al Capone?
Veronica was Al Capone’s eldest granddaughter, born to his only son, Albert Francis “Sonny” Capone.
When did Veronica Capone die?
She died on November 17, 2007, at age 64 from complications of Acute Myelogenous Leukemia.
How many children did Veronica Capone have?
She had three biological children with her first husband, Bob Bacon—Rod, DeVon, and LeeRae. She later became stepmother to five children through her marriages.
Where did Veronica Capone live?
She lived most of her adult life in California’s Bay Area, particularly Sunnyvale, before moving to Auburn upon Gordon Peterson’s retirement in 1990.
Did Veronica Capone ever meet Al Capone?
Yes. She was born in 1943, and Al Capone died in 1947, so she knew him during her early childhood, though she was only four when he passed.