Born to John and Fannie Gotti, Gene has four brothers: deceased Gambino crime family boss John Gotti, Gambino boss (2002-2011) Peter Gotti, capo Richard Gotti, and soldier Vincent Gotti. Gene has a wife Rosalie and three children and 8 grandchildren; his family home is in Valley Stream, New York. Around 1966, Gene became an associate with the Gambino family. In 1969, Gene was convicted of theft from an interstate shipment and was sent to federal prison for three months. In 1973, Gene was convicted in state court of illegal possession of a firearm and was sentenced to 18 months in state prison.