Forty years after one of television's most anticipated broadcasts, the mystery of Al Capone's missing fortune remains unsolved, according to author William Elliott Hazelgrove. His new book, Capone's Vault, reexamines the legendary 1986 television event that captivated over 30 million viewers and suggests the gangster's wealth may still be hidden.
On April 21, 1986, journalist Geraldo Rivera opened a sealed vault beneath Chicago's Lexington Hotel during the nationally syndicated special The Mystery of Al Capone's Vaults. The broadcast remains the highest-rated syndicated television event ever aired. When the vault was finally opened live on television, viewers discovered it appeared largely empty rather than containing the rumored treasure.
According to Hazelgrove, the empty vault did not solve the mystery of Al Capone's missing fortune. "The vault was only one lead in a much larger mystery," Hazelgrove says. "Capone generated enormous amounts of cash during Prohibition, and much of that money was never accounted for. The empty vault actually deepened the legend rather than ending it."
Hazelgrove's book examines the dramatic events behind the famous television special, including the planning of the broadcast, the intense public anticipation, and the aftermath of one of the most talked-about moments in television history. Based on extensive research and interviews with the producers of the program as well as Geraldo Rivera, the book explores how the broadcast helped usher in the era of modern reality television.
Four decades later, the legend of Capone's hidden fortune still fascinates Chicagoans and historians alike. Stories of buried cash, secret hiding places, and lost mob money have circulated for decades, keeping the mystery alive long after the famous vault was opened. The anniversary raises questions about historical mysteries and how media events shape public perception of history.
William Elliott Hazelgrove is the National Bestselling author of Capone's Vault, a book that investigates the story behind the famous 1986 television event and the legend of Al Capone's missing fortune. Hazelgrove interviewed the producers of the broadcast as well as Geraldo Rivera while researching the book. The author will be discussing the anniversary and the story behind the broadcast in upcoming media appearances, including interviews with WGN-TV, Moody Radio, and the history podcast History Unplugged.
The enduring fascination with Capone's fortune highlights how historical mysteries capture public imagination and how media events can transform local legends into national phenomena. The story continues to resonate because it combines elements of true crime, historical mystery, and media history, reminding us that some historical questions remain unanswered despite technological advances and investigative efforts.
