Michael Franzese
Michael Franzese (Michael Grillo) was born on May 27th, 1951 and is currently 74 years old. Michael Franzese was born in Brooklyn, New York, USA.
Michael Franzese was once a made man in the Colombo crime family. He is also the son of a former Mafia boss, Sonny Franzese.
Given his family background, Franzese learned about the Mafia from an early age. By the time he was in his twenties, he had been initiated into the organization and quickly began rising through its ranks.
At the height of Michael’s criminal career, he was making approximately $5 to $8 million every week. Running all manner of schemes, he lived a dangerous life and yet managed to survive just about everything from a Mafia death sentence, jury appearances, racketeering trials, and multiple indictments.
Despite the many risks and his still being very young for a Mafia man, he decided to quit the Mafia after meeting Camille Garcia, his future wife. Her presence and faith would inspire hope and a new perspective on life.
He would make history as the only high-ranking member ever to leave the organization without losing his life. Nonetheless, Michael Franzese was charged and imprisoned for his crimes. Afterward, he used his experiences to teach lessons to others in similar circumstances.
Franzes now dedicates his life to motivation, mentorship, and education. Through online programming, podcasts, and media content, he highlights the importance of making the right choices and the dangers of crime to church audiences, corporate leaders, at-risk youth, and athletes, inspiring societal change.
In 1991, Michael Franzese published his debut work,
Quitting the Mob, in which he chronicles his life inside organized crime and the many risks he took to walk away.
As a high-ranking member of the Colombo crime family, he tells of running schemes such as gasoline bootlegging that earned him millions every week. But he survived death sentences, racketeering trials, and jury appearances to become the man that he is today.
Franzese also showed how meeting his wife would be the greatest motivation to leave behind a life of crime.
About 18 years later, in 2009, he published
The Good, the Bad, and the Forgiven, which details his journey from being a high-ranking member of the Colombo crime family to seeking redemption through faith and personal growth.
He tells of his life in organized crime, where he faced all manner of dangers, even as he earned millions from schemes. Franzese also shares about his desire for a better life, family, and faith, which led him away from the Mob.
He provides lessons on embracing forgiveness, overcoming past mistakes, and making wise choices, demonstrating how personal growth can lead to societal betterment and individual redemption.
Changing tune, Michael Franzese published
Mafia Democracy, in which he examined the abuse of power and corruption in government systems.
Drawing from his life in the Mafia, he compares the influence and tactics of mobsters to those used by government officials who exploit loopholes, manipulate laws, and prioritize personal gain over justice.
He also examines how such behaviour erodes trust in institutions, undermines democracy, and impacts citizens. Through firsthand insights and vivid examples, he warns of the dangers of limitless power, showing how it can be abused in the real world, just as it is in the Mafia.
Related Authors
Fans of Michael Franzese also enjoy these authors:
- Stephen King, author of The Dark Tower Series.
- J.K. Rowling, author of the Harry Potter Series.
- Harlan Coben, author of the Myron Bolitar Series.
- Linwood Barclay, author of the Promise Falls Series.
- Michael Connelly, author of the Harry Bosch Series.
Michael Franzese: F.A.Q
When was Michael Franzese Born? How old is Michael Franzese?
Michael Franzese was born on May 27th, 1951. Michael Franzese is currently 74 years old.
Where was Michael Franzese Born?
Michael Franzese was born in Brooklyn, New York, USA and is American.
What was the first book Michael Franzese wrote?
The first book written by Michael Franzese was Quitting the Mob, published in 1991.
What was the most recent book Michael Franzese wrote?
Their most recently released work was The Treasure of Cabal Island (a short story) on July 26th, 2023.
Are there upcoming new books by Michael Franzese?
Michael Franzese does not have any upcoming books with a set publication date within the next few months at this time.
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How many books has Michael Franzese written?
Michael Franzese has written 7 books. All of their books are Non-Fiction Books.