Vito Corleone Timeline: From Sicilian Immigrant To Godfather
Vito Corleone in 1891 began life as "Vito Andolini" In Sicily's CorleoneVito's life narrative started in 1891 when he was born Vito Andolini in Corleone, Sicily. The date on Vito's gravestone in the first film, April 29, 1887, is mentioned as his birthdate in the novel. But in the second film, Vito's birthdate was changed to December 7, 1891.Childhood for Vito was filled with violence and misery. Don Ciccio, a local mafia lord, killed his father Antonio because the latter refused to give tribute. In his quest for vengeance, Paolo, Vito's brother, was also slain by Ciccio's men. Ciccio managed to get away when Vito's mother, who was terrified for his life, put a knife to his throat. Vito escaped after Ciccio's goons killed his mother.
A Local Mafia Boss Murders Vito's Family In 1901Vito was sneaked out of Sicily by friends of the Andolini family, whereupon he was placed on a ship carrying immigrants bound for America. An immigration official at Ellis Island changed his name to Vito Corleone, possibly thinking that his hometown was his surname. (Vito would subsequently adopt the last name Andolini as a way to preserve the family name.) The Abbandando family, who were residing in Little Italy on the Lower East Side of New York, took in Vito as one of their distant cousins.Vito worked at the Abbandandos' grocery business and made friends with Genco, their son. However, Vito was sacked when Don Fanucci, a local mobster, insisted that they hire his nephew. Vito's life took a drastic change at this time when he realized he would have to defend both himself and the people he loved. He began honing his talents as a crafty and resourceful crook, setting the stage for his eventual ascent to prominence.
1920: Vito Starts A Criminal Career And Kills Don FanucciWhen Vito was taught how to fence stolen clothing and do favors in exchange for allegiance by small-time crooks Peter Clemenza and Salvatore Tessio in 1920, he started a life of crime. After finding out about Vito's business, Fanucci threatened to call the police if they didn't give him a share of the profits.But Vito did not back down from a fight. He had planned to assassinate Fanucci by tracking him down and shooting him outside his residence. This act of rebellion helped Vito rise in the criminal underworld and cemented his reputation as a man not to be trifled with. After assuming control of the neighborhood, he treated the locals more fairly and with respect than Fanucci had ever done.
Vito Returns To Sicily in 1922Vito returned to Sicily in 1922, his first visit since his childhood escape. All of Don Ciccio's men who were implicated in Vito's family's killings were slain by Vito and his associate Don Tommasino. Don Ciccio was sick and old when Vito met him; Ciccio didn't know who he was.But Vito never forgot the wrongs he had been through. In a graphic act of retaliation, he went up to Ciccio, introduced himself as Antonio Andolini's son, and sliced into Ciccio's stomach. After seizing control of the town, Tommasino grew to be Vito's closest ally in the former country for many years.
The Corleone Crime Family Is Born in the Early 1930sThe Corleone crime family became one of the most influential in the US by the early 1930s because to Vito's efforts. His caporegimes were Clemenza and Tessio, and his consigliere was Genco. Vito unofficially adopted Tom Hagen, the friend of his oldest son Sonny, who would go on to become his dependable attorney.The Corleone family gained notoriety for its strength and sway but also for its unwavering allegiance and sense of honor. Strength, cunning, and empathy were all combined to create Vito's leadership style. Though he controlled with an iron grip, he also displayed a sense of justice and fairness. He was aware of the value of family and would do whatever it took to keep those he cared about safe.
Vito relocates his operations to Long Beach in 1939.Vito, also known as "Don Corleone" or "The Godfather," relocated his business to Long Beach, New York, on Long Island, sometime around 1939. Hagen assumed Genco's responsibilities after he received a cancer diagnosis. Even though Vito took great satisfaction in being a fair and rational crime boss, there were times when he supported using violence to achieve his goals (such as when he had his hired shooter, Luca Brasi, threaten to kill Johnny Fontane in order to get him out of a singing contract).Within the criminal underworld, Vito was known for his strength and brutality as a mafia boss. Although his opponents feared him, they also revered him for his brilliance and cunning. His abilities to forge coalitions, strike agreements, and maintain information control all contributed to his dominance in addition to his use of violence. Vito's ascent to prominence was evidence of his shrewdness and tenacity.
1945: Vito Survives Two Assassination Attempts While Hosting Connie's WeddingWhen the first Godfather film begins, in 1945, Vito was the host of his daughter Connie's marriage to small-time criminal Carlo Rizzi. On the day of his daughter's wedding, he complied with the Sicilian custom of bestowing favors. As a result, two college students were assaulted for having sexual relations with Amerigo Bonasera's daughter, and a severed horse's head ended up in the bed of a Hollywood movie tycoon.Vito turned down Virgil Sollozzo's invitation to invest in his heroin operation because he believed that being engaged in drug trafficking would make the judges and politicians in his pocket turn against him. After receiving the news poorly, Sollozzo dispatched hitmen to kill Vito at a fruit stand. After Vito escaped the attempted murder and was brought to the hospital, Sollozzo tried to kill him again. Vito's bodyguards were taken out by Sollozzo's hired goon Mark McCluskey, a corrupt police captain, leaving his hospital bed unattended.
1955: A heart attack kills Vito.Near the conclusion of The Godfather, on July 29, 1955, Vito passes away from a heart attack while having fun in his garden with Anthony, Michael's kid. Vito dies quietly after eluding multiple attempts at his murder.An era came to an end with Vito's passing. He represented a bygone era in which the Mafia's traditional practices were still prevalent. But for years to come, the world of organized crime will be impacted by his legacy. His narrative serves as a sobering lesson in the perils of ambition and power.