This week, the name Mangione has unexpectedly surfaced in connection with a tragic crime in New York City, as 26-year-old Luigi Mangione faces charges for the murder of Brian Thompson. However, for many in Baltimore, particularly within its vibrant Italian community, the Mangione name has long been synonymous with influence, prosperity, and deep-rooted philanthropy.
Giovanna Aquia Blatterman, a 77-year-old Sicilian immigrant who has witnessed three generations of Mangiones, describes them as one of the most, if not the most, “respected” Italian families in the Baltimore area. She recalls the family as “generous” and “self-made,” and remembers Luigi from a brief encounter years ago as intelligent, approachable, and personable. The recent allegations have left her reflecting on a stark contrast, “Something has occurred with him,” she pondered, “He’s two different people.” Echoing a sentiment of fairness and the American justice system, she insists on his innocence until proven guilty.
The Mangione Family’s Baltimore Heritage
Little Italy, a downtown Baltimore neighborhood where Ms. Blatterman operates an Italian restaurant, has been a cornerstone for Italian immigrants since the 19th and 20th centuries. The area proudly displays its heritage with Italian flags and even fire hydrants painted in the colors of the Italian flag. It was within this close-knit community that Nicholas Mangione Sr. was born in 1925. His early life was humble, growing up in a single-room apartment with basic amenities, as reported by the Baltimore Sun.
Nicholas Mangione Sr.’s journey took him to the South Pacific during World War II, serving in the Navy. Upon returning to Baltimore, he embarked on a series of successful business ventures. Local media accounts depict him as a forceful and determined figure in the business world.
Reuters Close up photo of Luigi Mangione in an orange prison jumpsuit. Police are around him and his facial expression is serious.
In a 1995 article titled ‘Fiery builder has softer side’, Nicholas Mangione Sr. recounted his 1978 acquisition of Turf Valley resort, located west of Baltimore. He remembered facing skepticism and assumptions about his funding sources, stating, “People thought I needed money from the mafia to buy this place. They asked me what family I belonged to. I told them, ‘I belong to the Mangione Family. The Mangione family of Baltimore County.'”
The Mangione family’s history hasn’t been without controversy. In 1988, Turf Valley faced a racism scandal involving Nicholas Mangione Sr.’s nephew, then the resort’s manager, who was recorded using a racial slur. Despite this incident, within Baltimore’s Italian community, loyalty to the Mangione family patriarch and his memory remains strong. Mary Ann Campanella, an 83-year-old lifelong resident of Little Italy, remembers him as an “excellent man,” recalling his generosity and willingness to help those in need.
Nicholas Mangione Sr., who passed away in 2008, built a large family, with ten children and 37 grandchildren, including Luigi Mangione. The family had long since expanded beyond Little Italy, establishing themselves in the wider Baltimore area.
Luigi Mangione’s Upbringing and the Stark Contrast
At the time of his arrest, police reported that Luigi Mangione possessed a handwritten document expressing “ill will” towards corporate elites, reportedly including the phrase “these parasites had it coming,” as cited by US media. In contrast to his grandfather’s humble beginnings, Luigi Mangione was raised in a privileged environment. He attended the Gilman School, a prestigious all-boys private school in a Baltimore suburb, where annual tuition fees can reach nearly $38,000.
The Gilman School’s sprawling campus, visible from a Baltimore roadside, features a grand 1920s red-brick building and extensive sports facilities. One family acquaintance likened it to Eton, the renowned English boarding school known for educating the British aristocracy and royal family members. The trajectory of Luigi Mangione, from a promising young graduate to an alleged fugitive arrested in Pennsylvania, has left many questioning what transpired.
The Mangione family network extends far beyond Little Italy, encompassing numerous relatives. However, in the wake of Luigi Mangione’s arrest, the family has largely maintained silence. A brief statement expressing shock and devastation was released through Republican state lawmaker and cousin Nino Mangione. Requests for interviews with family members have been met with polite refusals. One family member stated simply, “Everything that needs to be said has been.”
Dylan Segelbaum, a journalist with the Baltimore Banner, notes the Mangione family’s significant business holdings, including country clubs, golf courses, and assisted living facilities. “The Mangione family is prominent in the Baltimore area,” he affirmed.
The Enduring Mangione Legacy in Baltimore
A woman wearing a blue sweater is stiing smiling in a colorful restaurant with a bar behind her with blue and pink lights over it. She is wearing a coloured scarf and there is a painting of red and yellow flowers behind her as well.
Giovanna Aquia Blatterman
The Mangione family’s presence is deeply ingrained in Baltimore. A plaque at the Family Center of the Greater Baltimore Medical Center acknowledges a donation from Nicholas and Mary Mangione. Mr. Segelbaum highlighted the family’s substantial philanthropy, noting their donations exceeding $1 million to the hospital.
Despite their wealth and influence, Ms. Blatterman emphasizes that the Mangiones have remained grounded and unpretentious. She recalled cutting hair for Luigi Mangione’s grandmother, Mary Mangione, whom she affectionately calls “Miss Mary,” in the early 1970s. Prior to the Covid pandemic, she enjoyed playing bocce with Mangione family members, including Luigi’s parents, Louis and Kathleen Mangione. She mentioned Kathleen’s travel agency specializing in trips to Italy.
While expressing sympathy for the family of Brian Thompson, the 50-year-old health executive who tragically died on December 4th, Ms. Blatterman also conveyed her concern for the Mangione family. “I can’t imagine what the family’s going through,” she said. “I’m sorry about Mr. Thompson, they’re going through hell, too – but so is this family going through hell.”
