Vito Genovese was an influential Italian-American mobster who became a prominent figure in the Genovese crime family. Born on November 21, 1897, in Villabate, Sicily, he immigrated to the United States in the early 1900s. Genovese rose to power during the mid-20th century, known for his involvement in various criminal activities, including drug trafficking and extortion. In the 1950s, Genovese became the boss of the Genovese crime family, one of the Five Families of the American Mafia. His leadership was marked by violence and power struggles, leading to numerous arrests and convictions. Genovese died on February 14, 1969, while serving a prison sentence.