Gotti's rise to power and his subsequent reign as boss of the Gambino family were marked by a series of dramatic and violent events, which were often reported in the media. He became a household name and a symbol of the power and corruption of organized crime.

In 1992, Gotti was arrested and charged with murder, racketeering, and other crimes. He was convicted in 1993 and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. He died in prison on June 10, 2002, at the age of 61.