| Italian magistrate Date of Birth: 18.05.1939 Country: Italy |
Giovanni Falcone was born in Palermo, Sicily, on May 18, 1939, to a wealthy family. His father was a chemical laboratory director, and his mother was a housewife. Falcone briefly attended the naval academy in Livorno before pursuing law studies at the University of Palermo. He graduated in 1964.
After graduating, Falcone began working in the judiciary. Initially handling civil cases in various cities, he shifted to criminal law in the 1970s. His early investigations involved organized crime, and by the early 1980s, he had become a leading anti-mafia prosecutor in Sicily.
Falcone made significant strides in tackling the Sicilian mafia. He successfully persuaded high-level mafiosi to break the "omertà" code of silence and cooperate with authorities. One of the first pentiti (informants) was Tommaso Buscetta, whose testimony became the foundation of the groundbreaking Maxi Trial held from 1986 to 1987. The trial resulted in the conviction of 360 out of 474 defendants.
Falcone actively collaborated with international authorities, including Rudolf Giuliani, then the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, in prosecuting mafia families such as the Gambino clan. His efforts earned him the admiration and respect of colleagues and law enforcement agencies worldwide.
On May 23, 1992, Falcone and his wife, Francesca Morvillo, were assassinated along with three police officers while traveling on a highway near Palermo. The attack was orchestrated by mafia boss Salvatore Riina ("Toto Riina") and carried out by his right-hand man, Giovanni Brusca ("The Pig").
Falcone's untimely demise sparked widespread outrage and a renewed determination to combat organized crime. The assassination led to the arrest of Riina and other mafia leaders, and the subsequent decline in the mafia's influence in Italy.
Falcone is remembered as a fearless magistrate who tirelessly dedicated his life to fighting crime and bringing justice to Sicily. His legacy as a symbol of courage and integrity continues to inspire generations to stand up against injustice.