Henry Hill Net Worth At Death And His Life After Crime

Henry Hill’s life was anything but ordinary. Once a key figure in the Lucchese crime family, he made millions through illegal activities before turning FBI informant and entering witness protection. His story became legendary through Goodfellas, but his later years were filled with financial struggles and legal troubles.

Many wonder how much of his fortune remained after his criminal empire collapsed. Despite once living a life of luxury, Henry Hill net worth at death was shockingly low. From crime riches to financial ruin, let’s explore how he made and lost his money and what remained in his final years.

Who Was Henry Hill?

Henry Hill was a notorious American mobster who became famous for his involvement in organized crime and later for becoming an FBI informant. Born on June 11, 1943, in Brooklyn, New York, he was drawn to the mafia lifestyle from a young age. Growing up in a working-class neighborhood, he admired the power and wealth of the local mobsters, which led him to begin working for the Lucchese crime family as a teenager.

Hill’s early tasks were small—running errands and assisting with various illegal operations—but his loyalty and street smarts quickly earned him the trust of higher-ranking members. He became deeply involved in loan sharking, extortion, hijacking, and illegal gambling, building a reputation as a reliable associate within the mafia. His involvement in major criminal operations, such as the Air France robbery in 1967 and the Lufthansa heist in 1978, further cemented his status within the underworld. These crimes brought in millions of dollars, making Hill a wealthy man—at least for a time.

Despite his success in the criminal world, Hill’s downfall began with his involvement in drug trafficking. The Lucchese family had strict rules against selling drugs, but Hill secretly built a profitable narcotics business. However, his actions eventually caught the attention of both law enforcement and his own mafia associates.

In 1980, after being arrested on drug charges, he faced the threat of being murdered by the mafia. To save himself and his family, he agreed to become an FBI informant, testifying against his former associates in exchange for protection. This decision changed the course of his life, marking the beginning of his financial and personal struggles.

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How Henry Hill Made and Lost His Money

Henry Hill’s wealth came from various criminal activities, but his financial downfall was just as dramatic. Here’s how he built his fortune and why he lost nearly everything.

Illegal Activities That Made Him Rich

During his time with the Lucchese crime family, Hill participated in a range of highly profitable criminal enterprises. These activities brought in millions of dollars, though much of it was spent as quickly as it was earned.

Hijacking and Robbery: Hill was involved in hijacking shipments from JFK Airport, stealing expensive cargo such as electronics, cigarettes, and jewelry. The Air France robbery in 1967 alone netted around $420,000—a huge sum at the time.
The Lufthansa Heist: One of the most infamous robberies in U.S. history, this $6 million theft in 1978 was orchestrated by Hill’s associates. Though he played a role in laundering the money, much of it was lost as key players were killed by the mafia to cover up the crime.
Gambling and Loan Sharking: Hill controlled numerous illegal gambling operations, lending money at high interest rates and using intimidation to collect debts. These businesses generated steady income, allowing him to live lavishly.
Drug Trafficking: Despite mafia rules, Hill ran a highly lucrative drug trade, smuggling and distributing cocaine, heroin, and marijuana. However, this operation led to his downfall, as the FBI eventually caught him selling narcotics.

Why He Lost His Wealth

Despite making millions, Hill’s lifestyle and circumstances led to financial ruin. His spending habits, legal troubles, and betrayal of the mafia all played a role in his financial collapse.

Lavish Spending: Hill lived a high-rolling lifestyle, spending money on expensive cars, designer clothes, fine dining, and luxury vacations. He threw extravagant parties and gambled excessively, rarely saving for the future.
Mafia Retaliation: After testifying against the Lucchese family, Hill’s former associates cut him off from all financial support. Any assets linked to the mafia were either seized or lost, leaving him with little to fall back on.
Witness Protection and Identity Changes: Under the Witness Protection Program, Hill and his family were relocated multiple times. Although the government provided financial support initially, he struggled to adjust to a low-profile lifestyle and couldn’t sustain a steady income.
Legal Troubles and Relapses: Even after leaving the mafia, Hill frequently got into trouble with the law, including drug-related arrests and parole violations. His inability to stay out of legal trouble prevented him from rebuilding his finances.

By the time of his death, much of his once-large fortune had disappeared, leaving him with only a fraction of what he had made in his criminal days.

Henry Hill’s Life After Crime and Final Years

After testifying against the mafia, Henry Hill entered the Witness Protection Program in 1980, relocating under a new identity. However, adjusting to a normal life proved nearly impossible for someone accustomed to power, luxury, and criminal activity. His struggles with addiction, financial mismanagement, and his inability to stay out of trouble defined his later years.

Attempts to Rebuild His Life

Though Hill could no longer rely on organized crime for money, he found other ways to make a living. His story became legendary, inspiring books, interviews, and film adaptations.

The Goodfellas Connection: In 1986, journalist Nicholas Pileggi wrote Wiseguy, a book detailing Hill’s life in the mafia. This book became the basis for Martin Scorsese’s 1990 film Goodfellas, where Ray Liotta portrayed Hill. The film’s success made Hill a well-known figure, leading to media appearances and opportunities to profit from his past.
Book Deals and TV Appearances: Hill capitalized on his notoriety by publishing books about his experiences, including The Wiseguy Cookbook, featuring mafia-inspired recipes. He also appeared on crime documentaries and talk shows, discussing his life in the mob.
Artwork and Memorabilia Sales: In his later years, Hill sold paintings, autographed items, and memorabilia related to his criminal past. His artwork, often themed around mafia history, gained some popularity among collectors.

Continued Struggles with Crime and Addiction

Despite these efforts, Hill never fully escaped his past. He struggled with alcohol and drug addiction, leading to multiple arrests and probation violations. His unpredictable behavior and inability to maintain steady employment kept him financially unstable.

In 2005, he was arrested for public intoxication and disorderly conduct.
In 2009, he was arrested for failing a drug test while on probation.
He continued selling mafia-related merchandise, but these ventures didn’t generate much money.

Henry Hill’s Net Worth at Death

After a life of crime, wealth, and ultimate downfall, Henry Hill’s net worth at death was estimated to be less than $30,000. Far from the millions he once had, he spent his final years in financial distress, relying on small business ventures and media appearances for income.

He died on June 12, 2012, at the age of 69 from complications related to heart disease. While he had outlived many of his former associates and survived decades after betraying the mafia, he left behind little in terms of financial success.

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