Key Facts
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Identity | Widow of Gambino boss Francesco “Franky Boy” Cali |
| Family Ties | Member of the Inzerillo clan, a prominent Sicilian Mafia family |
| Mafia Role | Facilitated links between the Sicilian Cosa Nostra and Gambino families |
| Residence | Staten Island, New York |
| Public Presence | Maintained a private life since her husband’s 2019 assassination |
Early Life and Sicilian Roots
Rosaria Inzerrilo was born into Palermo’s powerful Inzerillo Mafia clan. Her childhood was formed by privilege and danger due to a legacy of power and strife. Early on, she saw how organized crime affected family loyalty and survival.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Birthplace | Palermo, Sicily |
| Family Status | Wealthy and aristocratic within Cosa Nostra |
| Childhood Role | Daughter of Pietro Inzerillo, Sicilian Mafia member |
Inzerillo Clan and Second Mafia War
The Corleonesi-led Second Mafia War targeted the Inzerillo family in the early 1980s. Many surviving fled when uncles Totuccio and Santo were killed. This immigration forged new US alliances.
| Event | Year | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Second Mafia War | 1981 | Salvatore Riina’s purge decimated rival clans, including Inzerillos |
| Exile to the U.S. | 1983 | Family members resettled in New York and forged new ties |
| Reconciliation Efforts | 2000s | Allowed select Inzerillos to return to Sicily under escort |
Strategic Marriage to Francesco Cali
Rosaria’s marriage to Francesco “Franky Boy” Cali was a deliberate Old World-New World mafia connection. Their union improved transatlantic trade and communication. It also elevated Cali as Gambino family boss.
| Spouse | Marriage Year | Alliance Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Francesco Cali | 1990s | Solidify Franco‐Sicilian Mafia partnership |
| Family Connection | Inzerillo–Gambino | Reinforced trust between two powerful Mafia networks |
Role as Mafia Liaison
Rosaria supported her husband’s career as Sicilian Mafia “ambassador” in America through familial and personal relationships. She discreetly relayed messages and negotiations. Her experience validated international commercial ventures.
| Liaison Activity | Description |
|---|---|
| Communication Channel | Transmitted information between Palermo and New York |
| Financial Coordination | Oversaw discreet transactions tied to international ventures |
| Social Networking | Facilitated introductions to key Sicilian and American figures |
Life in Staten Island
The couple picked Staten Island for its balance of suburban solitude and New York City accessibility. Before marriage, Rosaria oversaw her father’s Bensonhurst restaurant and handled domestic matters. Their modest two-story home contrasted with Mafia stereotypes.
| Residence | Business Involvement | Lifestyle Characteristic |
|---|---|---|
| Colonial‐style home | Nino’s restaurant, Bensonhurst | Low-profile and discreet |
The Assassination of Francesco Cali
On March 13, 2019, Francesco Cali was fatally murdered outside his Staten Island home after family dinner. Law enforcement was horrified by the first high-profile Mafia leader assassination in decades. The attack was later linked to a non-Mafia culprit with conspiratorial intentions.
| Date | Location | Details |
|---|---|---|
| March 13, 2019 | Staten Island, NY | Cali was fatally shot moments after returning home |
Recent Privacy and Current Status
Rosaria Inzerrilo has shunned media and public records after her husband’s death. No verified reports or appearances have been reported as of April 21, 2025. Her silence reflects a deliberate withdrawal from public life.
| Last Known Event | Investigation Status | Public Appearances |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 Assassination | Case closed with unrelated suspect | None since 2019 |
FAQ
Who is Rosaria Inzerrilo?
She is a Sicilian Inzerillo Mafia member and widow of Gambino criminal family head Francesco “Franky Boy” Cali.
What is the Inzerillo family?
A prominent Palermo Mafia clan that battled the Second Mafia War and reestablished ties in the U.S.
What did Rosaria do for the Mafia?
She developed international relationships through family connections and covert communication.
When was Francesco Cali killed?
On March 13, 2019, he was killed outside his Staten Island home.
Did Rosaria own businesses?
She managed her father’s restaurant in Bensonhurst, New York, before marriage.
Where did Rosaria’s family live?
They lived in a two-story Colonial-style home in Staten Island, New York.
Does Rosaria Inzerrilo have children?
Public documents show she and Francesco Cali had children, but their identities are unknown.
Has Rosaria faced legal charges?
No judicial processes or charges have been filed against her.
Why is she poorly documented?
Her family’s secrecy and her own solitude have limited public exposure.
Anyone else from the Inzerillo clan detained recently?
In 2019, partnership between Italy and the U.S. operations led to Palermo arrests, but Rosaria was blameless.
The significance of her marriage to Cali?
Mafia cooperation between Sicily and New York was strengthened by a strategic alliance.
Any public records of her since 2019?
Since her husband’s murder, no public appearances or documents have been found.
