Uncovering The Truth: What Happened To Bumpy Johnson's Daughter In Real Life?
The name Ellsworth "Bumpy" Johnson still echoes through the stories of organized crime, especially when one thinks of Harlem's notorious past. He was, in a way, a kingpin, a significant figure in the 1960s. So, it's almost natural for people to wonder about his family, particularly his children. What became of them after his time?
Many folks are really curious about Bumpy Johnson's daughters, Ruthie and Elease Johnson. Their lives, despite their dad's widespread fame as a Harlem mobster, were kept very much out of the public eye. This article aims to bring to light what is known about their upbringing and, too, what happened to them.
We'll look at the intriguing tale of the Johnson family, trying to uncover the stories that haven't been told and, in some respects, shed light on their lives beyond the shadow of their famous father. It's a bit of a puzzle, but we have some pieces to put together, actually.
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Table of Contents
- Bumpy Johnson: A Brief Look at the Harlem Figure
- The Woman Behind the Mobster: Mayme Hatcher Johnson
- Elease Johnson: The Known Daughter
- Ruthie Johnson: A Life Shrouded in Secrecy
- The Passing of the Johnson Daughters
- Bumpy Johnson's Enduring Legacy in Popular Culture
- Frequently Asked Questions About Bumpy Johnson's Family
- A Look Back at a Harlem Family
Bumpy Johnson: A Brief Look at the Harlem Figure
Ellsworth "Bumpy" Johnson, you know, was a name that really stood out in the many captivating stories that have come out of the world of organized crime. He was, quite simply, a notorious crime boss and kingpin in Harlem during the 1960s. His activities, which included pimping, thievery, and burglary, brought him a lot of notoriety, actually.
He was a rather unique figure among crime bosses, too, in that he remained married to a single wife throughout his long life. This detail, in a way, adds another layer to his complex story. He passed away from congestive heart failure on July 7, 1968, when he was 62 years old, still facing a federal indictment for narcotics conspiracy, as a matter of fact.
Personal Details of Ellsworth "Bumpy" Johnson
Detail | Information |
---|---|
Full Name | Ellsworth "Bumpy" Johnson |
Role | Harlem Mobster, Crime Boss, Kingpin |
Notoriety | Criminal activities: pimping, thievery, burglary |
Death Date | July 7, 1968 |
Age at Death | 62 |
Cause of Death | Congestive Heart Failure |
Spouse | Mayme Hatcher Johnson (married 1948) |
Daughters | Ruthie Johnson, Elease Johnson (also known as Elise) |
Granddaughter | Margaret Johnson |
The Woman Behind the Mobster: Mayme Hatcher Johnson
Mayme Hatcher Johnson, Bumpy's wife, was born in 1914 in North Carolina and, like, moved to New York in 1938. She found work as a waitress at Hagar's, a Washington Heights club owned by actress and singer Ethel Waters. She married Bumpy in 1948, and as the spouse of a gangster, Mayme certainly lived a life that could be described as that of a queen, really.
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Mayme was, in some respects, a significant figure in her own right. She authored a book titled "Harlem Godfather: The Rap on My Husband, Ellsworth 'Bumpy' Johnson." This book was her way of sharing the real story of her husband, trying to counter the myths and legends that had grown around him, you know. It actually inspired the story for "Godfather of Harlem."
Mayme passed away in 2009, but she left behind a very rich narrative of life alongside one of Harlem's most talked-about figures. Her perspective offers a unique look into the private side of a public criminal life, as a matter of fact.
Elease Johnson: The Known Daughter
Elease Johnson, sometimes incorrectly referred to as Elise Johnson, gained a good deal of recognition primarily because of her connection to her father, Bumpy Johnson. She was, in fact, the true daughter of Bumpy and Mayme Johnson, as far as we know. Even though she passed away in 2006, conversations about her still often come up, highlighting the complicated nature of a life shaped by her father's fame, you know.
Her Public Presence and Family Ties
Elease came into the spotlight, pretty much, due to her father's fame as a Harlem mobster. People wanted to know what happened to her, and so, her name became part of the broader discussion about the Johnson family. She was, like, a direct link to the man himself.
The "Annie Oakley of Harlem"
Interestingly, Elease was also known as the "Annie Oakley of Harlem." This nickname, in a way, suggests she had a notable reputation or a particular skill, perhaps related to marksmanship, though the provided text doesn't elaborate on the specifics. It does, however, add a bit of intrigue to her character, doesn't it?
A Daughter of Her Own
Elease, as it turns out, also had a lovely daughter. Her name is Margaret Johnson. Margaret is described as the granddaughter of Harlem gangster Bumpy Johnson and his wife, the late Mayme Johnson. Sadly, Elease left the world when her daughter, Margaret, was very young. This detail, actually, adds a touch of sadness to her story, too.
Ruthie Johnson: A Life Shrouded in Secrecy
Ruthie Johnson, another of Bumpy Johnson's daughters, presents a very different story from Elease. Her life trajectory, after her upbringing amidst the notoriety of the underworld, remains, in a way, veiled in obscurity. The puzzle of Ruthie's journey after her early years lacks definitive answers, which is quite intriguing, really.
The Puzzle of Her Journey
Historical records offer very limited insights into Ruthie's life, leaving her fate open to a lot of conjecture and speculation. She was born into a life that, you know, involved crime and violence, but what she did with that life is largely unknown. This contrasts sharply with the bits of information we have about Elease, making Ruthie's story even more mysterious. It's almost as if she truly disappeared from public view.
The Passing of the Johnson Daughters
A rather poignant detail about Bumpy Johnson's daughters, Ruthie and Elease, is that they both passed away in the same year, 2006. This event, in a way, brought an end to Bumpy's straight lineage almost forty years after he himself died in 1968. It's a rather significant point in the family's history, marking, like, the close of a chapter. One of them, reportedly, passed away in a particular manner, but the specifics aren't detailed in the provided text, leaving a bit of a question mark there.
Despite their father's prominence in the criminal world, both Ruthie and Elease maintained very private lifestyles. This desire for privacy seems to have extended even to the details surrounding their deaths, as there isn't much public information available, which is actually quite common for people connected to such figures who prefer to stay out of the spotlight.
Bumpy Johnson's Enduring Legacy in Popular Culture
Bumpy Johnson's name continues to resonate long after his death, not just through his family but also through various portrayals in popular culture. His legendary name, in some respects, lives on, especially with his daughter and granddaughter being mentioned alongside him. This enduring interest is quite something, really.
For instance, in the 1999 film "Life," the singer Rick James played a Harlem gangster named Spanky Johnson, who was loosely inspired by Bumpy Johnson. Then, in the 2007 film "American Gangster," Johnson was portrayed by Clarence Williams III. He was also featured in the third episode of the first season of the 2018 Netflix documentary series "Drug Lords," which just goes to show how much interest there is in his story.
The television series "Godfather of Harlem," too, is inspired by the life of Harlem mob boss Bumpy Johnson. This show features major historical figures like Malcolm X and Muhammad Ali, further cementing Bumpy's place in popular consciousness. It's based on Mayme Johnson's book, which is pretty cool, you know, as it brings her perspective to a wider audience.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bumpy Johnson's Family
People often have questions about Bumpy Johnson's family, especially his daughters, given his famous life. Here are a few common inquiries, as a matter of fact.
Q1: Did Bumpy Johnson have more than one daughter?
Yes, Bumpy Johnson had two daughters, Ruthie and Elease Johnson. The information available suggests that Elease was the true daughter of Bumpy and Mayme Johnson, while Ruthie's background remains less clear, though she is consistently referred to as his daughter. Both are part of the family's story, actually.
Q2: When did Bumpy Johnson's daughters pass away?
Both of Bumpy Johnson's daughters, Ruthie and Elease, passed away in the same year, 2006. This event occurred nearly forty years after their father's death in 1968, and it effectively marked the end of Bumpy's direct lineage, which is quite a significant point in their family history, too.
Q3: What is known about Bumpy Johnson's granddaughter?
Bumpy Johnson had a granddaughter named Margaret Johnson, who was the daughter of Elease Johnson. Margaret is described as the granddaughter of Bumpy and his wife, Mayme Johnson. Elease, sadly, left the world when Margaret was very young, which means Margaret's connection to her famous grandparents is through her mother, Elease.
A Look Back at a Harlem Family
The lives of Bumpy Johnson's daughters, Ruthie and Elease, offer a rather unique glimpse into the private side of a family touched by the very public world of organized crime. Despite their father's notoriety, they chose to live quietly, and so, much about their personal journeys remains, in a way, veiled. Their passing in 2006 marked a quiet end to a direct family line that had, like, captivated the public's imagination for decades.
The enduring interest in Bumpy Johnson's story, often fueled by films and television series, continues to spark curiosity about his family. It's a reminder that behind every famous figure, there are personal lives and family histories that often remain just out of reach, as a matter of fact. To learn more about Mayme Johnson's book, which provides unique insights into their lives, you can check out resources online. You can also explore more about Harlem's history on our site, and if you're curious about other figures from that era, you might find more stories on this page .
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Meet Bumpy Johnson’s Daughter Elise - Profvalue Blog

Meet Bumpy Johnson’s Daughter Elise - Profvalue Blog

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