Lauretta Giegerman is best remembered as the wife of notorious American crime figure Frank Costello. Although her husband spent decades in the public eye because of his alleged organized crime connections, Lauretta maintained an exceptionally private life. Very little verified information exists about her, making her one of the lesser-known spouses connected to twentieth-century American crime history.
Early Life and Family
According to publicly available records, Lauretta Giegerman was born on October 28, 1894, in Manhattan, New York. She was the daughter of Jacob H. Geigerman and Cecelia (Celia) Josephs, who were Jewish immigrants from Germany. She grew up in New York City during a period of rapid immigration and economic change.
Unlike many public figures of her era, few verified records describe her childhood, education, or personal interests. Most historical references focus on her marriage rather than her early years.
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Career Before Marriage
Before marrying Frank Costello, Lauretta reportedly worked as a Broadway and vaudeville performer. Historical accounts state that she was known by the nickname “Bobby.” Despite this early connection to the entertainment world, she stepped away from public performance after her marriage.
Because surviving records are limited, little additional verified information is available about her professional career.
Marriage to Frank Costello
Lauretta married Frank Costello, born Francesco Castiglia, in the 1910s. While some historical records differ on the exact marriage year, many sources report that the couple married in 1918, whereas other archival records mention 1914. Regardless of the exact date, they remained together for decades.
Their marriage lasted until Frank Costello’s death on February 18, 1973, making it one of the longest marriages associated with a prominent organized crime figure. The couple had no children.
Life Away from Public Attention
Throughout Frank Costello’s rise to national prominence, Lauretta deliberately stayed away from the spotlight. She rarely gave interviews and avoided public appearances whenever possible.
Even during congressional investigations and intense media coverage surrounding her husband, Lauretta remained largely absent from newspapers except during significant events involving Frank.
The 1957 Shooting
One of the few times Lauretta appeared prominently in news reports was on May 3, 1957, after Frank Costello survived an assassination attempt outside their apartment building in Manhattan.
She accompanied her husband to Roosevelt Hospital following the shooting and was photographed leaving with him after doctors determined that his injuries were not life-threatening. The event became one of the defining moments in Frank Costello’s later life.
Later Years
After Frank Costello retired from much of his public life, Lauretta continued to live quietly. Following his death on February 18, 1973, she largely disappeared from public records.
Unlike many relatives of famous crime figures, she never sought publicity or published memoirs. Historians know relatively little about her later years because reliable public documentation is scarce.
Legacy
Today, Lauretta Giegerman remains an intriguing historical figure because of her lifelong commitment to privacy. Most biographies of Frank Costello mention her only briefly, emphasizing her loyalty and the remarkable length of their marriage.
Although she was connected to one of America’s most famous organized crime figures, no verified evidence suggests that she played any role in her husband’s criminal activities. Her story is instead remembered as that of a woman who chose to remain outside the public spotlight despite living beside one of the most recognizable names in twentieth-century American history.
Conclusion
Lauretta Giegerman occupies a unique place in American history. Born on October 28, 1894, she spent much of her life away from public attention despite being married to Frank Costello for decades. Verified information about her remains limited, but historical records consistently portray her as a private individual who supported her husband while avoiding publicity. Because few reliable records exist, many aspects of her life remain undocumented, making accuracy and reliance on verified sources especially important.
FAQs
1. Who was Lauretta Giegerman?
Lauretta Giegerman was the wife of American organized crime figure Frank Costello.
2. When was Lauretta Giegerman born?
She was born on October 28, 1894, in Manhattan, New York.
3. Did Lauretta Giegerman have children?
Verified historical sources indicate that she and Frank Costello did not have children.
4. What was Lauretta Giegerman known for?
She is primarily known as the longtime wife of Frank Costello and for maintaining a private life despite her husband’s public notoriety.
5. When did Frank Costello die?
Frank Costello died on February 18, 1973.
