Albert Francis Capone, better known as Sonny, was born on April 12, 1918, in Miami, Florida. He was the son of the infamous mob boss, Al Capone. Sonny's early childhood was overshadowed by his father's criminal activities, but despite this, he was encouraged to pursue a career outside of the mob. At a young age, Sonny inherited his father's syphilis, which eventually led to him needing surgery that left him deaf.
Sonny attended the University of Notre Dame before transferring to the University of Miami, where he completed his bachelor's degree. During his time at college, he befriended Desi Arnaz, who would later become famous for co-creating the hit television show, I Love Lucy, with Lucille Ball.
Despite efforts to distance himself from his father's criminal lifestyle, Sonny found himself in trouble with the law in 1965. He was arrested for stealing two bottles of aspirin and a pack of batteries from a store. This incident was a far cry from the organized crime activities that his father was involved in, but it still tarnished Sonny's reputation.
Sonny was beloved by his father, who spared no expense when it came to his son's health. When Sonny contracted a mastoid infection that required surgery, Al Capone offered a physician $100,000 to perform the procedure. However, the doctor refused to accept more than the standard $1,000 fee. Despite his father's criminal background, Sonny always had a close relationship with him.
Albert Francis Capone, or Sonny as he was known, lived a life of privilege and hardship due to his infamous family name. He struggled with health issues from a young age, but he managed to overcome them and pursue a higher education. Despite his run-in with the law later in life, Sonny will always be remembered as the son of one of America's most notorious mobsters, Al Capone.