Lauretta Giegerman: Biography, Family, Marriage to Frank Costello, and Life Away from the Spotlight

Lauretta Giegerman is best known as the wife of notorious American Mafia boss Frank Costello, one of the most influential figures in organized crime during the mid-20th century. Although her husband became famous for his leadership within the Luciano crime family and his powerful political connections, Lauretta Giegerman chose a life of privacy and remained largely absent from the public eye. Her quiet lifestyle has made her a subject of curiosity among historians, crime enthusiasts, and readers interested in the personal lives of famous historical figures. Unlike many spouses of high-profile individuals, Lauretta rarely spoke to the media, avoided publicity, and left behind very few personal records. As a result, much of what is known about her comes from historical biographies of Frank Costello, public records, and genealogical sources. Despite limited information, Lauretta Giegerman played an important role as the lifelong partner of one of America’s most infamous organized crime leaders. This comprehensive guide explores everything publicly known about Lauretta Giegerman, including her early life, family background, marriage, relationship with Frank Costello, personal life, and legacy.

Who Is Lauretta Giegerman?

Lauretta Giegerman, sometimes recorded as Loretta Geigerman or Loretta “Bobbie” Geigerman Costello, was an American woman who gained historical recognition through her marriage to Frank Costello.

Unlike her husband, Lauretta never sought public attention or involvement in business or politics. She maintained a private lifestyle despite being married to a man whose name frequently appeared in newspapers, courtrooms, and government investigations.

Today, historians remember Lauretta Giegerman primarily as the loyal wife who remained by Frank Costello’s side throughout his rise to power, his legal battles, and his retirement from organized crime.

Early Life of Lauretta Giegerman

Lauretta Giegerman was born on October 28, 1894, in Manhattan, New York City. She came from a German-Jewish immigrant family that had settled in New York during the late nineteenth century.

Historical genealogical records identify her parents as Jacob Giegerman and Celia Giegerman. Beyond these basic family details, very little verified information exists regarding her childhood, education, or early ambitions.

Because Lauretta lived during an era when many women outside public life were not extensively documented, historians have relatively few reliable sources describing her early years.

Family Background

The Giegerman family belonged to New York City’s growing immigrant community.

At the turn of the twentieth century, Manhattan was home to large immigrant populations from Europe, including German and Jewish families seeking better economic opportunities.

Although no extensive biographies of Lauretta’s parents have been published, genealogical records suggest she grew up in a working-class environment before meeting Frank Costello.

Marriage to Frank Costello

One of the most significant events in Lauretta Giegerman’s life was her marriage to Frank Costello.

Frank Costello, born Francesco Castiglia in Italy, immigrated to the United States as a child and eventually became one of the country’s most influential organized crime figures.

Historical sources disagree on the exact year of their marriage.

Some public records indicate they married in 1914, while several respected biographies place their wedding in 1918, shortly after Costello’s release from prison.

Regardless of the exact year, historians agree that their marriage lasted for more than five decades and remained remarkably stable despite Frank Costello’s dangerous lifestyle.

Life with Frank Costello

Being married to one of America’s most powerful mob bosses meant living under extraordinary circumstances.

Frank Costello became known as the “Prime Minister of the Underworld” because of his influence over gambling operations, politicians, labor unions, and criminal organizations throughout New York City.

Unlike many individuals connected to organized crime, Lauretta Giegerman maintained a low public profile.

She rarely appeared in the newspapers, gave no known interviews, and generally stayed out of the spotlight.

Those who wrote about Frank Costello often described Lauretta as supportive, loyal, and committed to preserving her family’s privacy.

Did Lauretta Giegerman Have a Career?

Very little verified information exists regarding Lauretta Giegerman’s professional life.

Some biographies and magazine articles have described her as a former Broadway showgirl or stage performer before her marriage.

However, historians note that this claim has not been consistently supported by primary historical records.

Because reliable documentation is limited, it is generally considered a commonly reported story rather than an established historical fact.

Following her marriage, Lauretta devoted much of her attention to managing her household and supporting her husband.

Living Through Organized Crime History

Lauretta Giegerman witnessed one of the most fascinating periods in American criminal history.

During Frank Costello’s career, organized crime evolved dramatically through:

• The Prohibition Era
• Illegal gambling operations
• Political corruption
• National crime syndicates
• Federal investigations
• Senate hearings

Although Frank Costello frequently dealt with law enforcement and appeared before investigative committees, Lauretta herself was never known to have participated in criminal activities.

She largely stayed out of her husband’s business affairs.

The 1957 Assassination Attempt

One of the most dramatic moments in Lauretta Giegerman’s life occurred in May 1957.

Frank Costello survived an assassination attempt outside his Manhattan apartment after being shot in the head by gunman Vincent Gigante.

Remarkably, Costello survived with relatively minor injuries.

Following the shooting, Lauretta accompanied her husband during his medical treatment and briefly appeared in newspaper photographs leaving the hospital.

These photographs remain among the few publicly available images of Lauretta Giegerman.

The assassination attempt ultimately influenced Frank Costello’s decision to step away from active organized crime leadership.

Did Lauretta Giegerman Have Children?

Historical records consistently indicate that Lauretta Giegerman and Frank Costello never had children.

Unlike many prominent crime families whose descendants continued family businesses or appeared publicly, the Costellos left no direct heirs.

The absence of children contributed to Lauretta’s private legacy, as few family members remained in the public eye following Frank Costello’s death.

Relationship with Frank Costello

Many historians describe Lauretta and Frank Costello’s marriage as unusually stable.

Despite:

• criminal investigations,
• political scandals,
• assassination attempts,
• imprisonment,
• constant media attention,

their relationship endured for decades.

Frank Costello reportedly valued his private life and often separated family matters from his criminal activities.

Although little is known about their day-to-day relationship, their long marriage suggests a strong personal bond.

Public Image

Unlike wives of many famous public figures, Lauretta Giegerman avoided publicity whenever possible.

She was known for:

• avoiding interviews,
• staying away from public events,
• protecting her privacy,
• keeping family matters confidential.

As a result, very few photographs and public statements involving Lauretta exist today.

Later Years

After Frank Costello gradually retired from organized crime during the late 1950s, the couple lived a quieter life.

Frank continued to attract public attention for his historical importance, while Lauretta remained almost completely out of view.

Following Frank Costello’s death on February 18, 1973, little verified information about Lauretta’s later years became publicly available.

This lack of documentation reflects the private lifestyle she maintained throughout her life.

Interesting Facts About Lauretta Giegerman

• Lauretta Giegerman is also known as Loretta Geigerman and Loretta Costello.
• She remained married to Frank Costello for more than five decades.
• The couple never had children.
• She rarely appeared in newspapers despite her husband’s notoriety.
• Some accounts describe her as a former showgirl, though this remains unconfirmed.
• She accompanied Frank Costello following the 1957 assassination attempt.
• She is remembered primarily through biographies documenting Frank Costello’s life.

Why Is Lauretta Giegerman Still Searched Today?

Interest in Lauretta Giegerman continues because historians and readers remain fascinated by the families of famous organized crime figures.

Popular television series, documentaries, podcasts, and books about the American Mafia have introduced new generations to Frank Costello’s story.

As readers learn about Costello’s influence in organized crime, many naturally become curious about the woman who spent most of her life by his side, yet remained almost invisible to the public.

Her story provides an interesting contrast to her husband’s highly public criminal career.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Lauretta Giegerman remains one of the lesser-known figures connected to the history of organized crime in the United States. While her husband, Frank Costello, became a legendary Mafia boss whose activities shaped the American underworld, Lauretta chose a completely different path. She valued privacy over publicity, stayed away from criminal investigations, and avoided the spotlight throughout her life.

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