Henry Hill Wife: The Story of Henry Hill, His Life, Family, and Karen Friedman Hill

The name Henry Hill is instantly recognizable to anyone familiar with American crime history or Martin Scorsese’s legendary 1990 film Goodfellas. Hill’s story is one of power, money, loyalty, betrayal, and the price of living in the shadows of organized crime. However, behind the gangster persona stood a woman who carried much of the burden of his life choices—Karen Friedman Hill, his wife. Their marriage, though turbulent, reveals another dimension of Henry Hill’s story, highlighting the struggles of a family caught in the whirlwind of mob life.

This article takes a detailed look at Henry Hill’s background, his career, his age and birthday, his children, his net worth, his role as an “actor” in pop culture, and most importantly, the life of his wife, Karen Friedman Hill.

Who is Henry Hill?

Henry Hill Jr. was born on June 11, 1943, in the Brownsville neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York. His father, Henry Hill Sr., was an Irish-American electrician, and his mother, Carmela Costa, was an Italian immigrant from Sicily. This mix of Irish and Italian heritage placed Henry at the edges of the Italian-dominated mafia circles of New York, but it also gave him an entry point into the underworld.

From a young age, Hill was fascinated by the mobsters who operated out of his neighborhood. By the time he was 11, he began running errands for Paul Vario, a capo in the Lucchese crime family. School didn’t suit him—he struggled with dyslexia and eventually dropped out. For Henry, the streets became both his school and his playground.

Over the years, Hill became deeply entrenched in mob operations. His crimes included hijackings, loan sharking, gambling, drug trafficking, and extortion. The peak of his notoriety came with his involvement in the Lufthansa Heist of 1978, one of the largest cash robberies in American history.

But his downfall was inevitable. In 1980, Hill was arrested for drug trafficking. Facing long prison sentences, he made the life-changing decision to become an informant, testifying against his former associates in the Lucchese family. His testimony helped convict several high-ranking mobsters.

His story was immortalized in Nicholas Pileggi’s 1985 book Wiseguy, which was later adapted into Goodfellas, where actor Ray Liotta portrayed Henry Hill. The film not only cemented Hill’s place in American pop culture but also ensured that his name would forever be linked with the darker side of the American dream.

Henry Hill “Actor” in Pop Culture

Though not a professional actor himself, Henry Hill became a “character” in one of Hollywood’s most acclaimed crime films. Goodfellas depicted his rise in the mob world, his lavish lifestyle, his marriage to Karen, and eventually, his downfall and betrayal of the mafia.

Ray Liotta’s performance as Henry Hill earned him international acclaim, and the film remains one of the greatest gangster films ever made. Lorraine Bracco portrayed Karen Friedman Hill, providing a raw and emotional view of what it was like to be married to a mobster.

Interestingly, after the film’s release, Hill himself leaned into the fame. He appeared on television shows, radio programs, and even had cameos in smaller projects. His larger-than-life story had essentially turned him into a “celebrity actor,” not by trade but by association with Hollywood’s retelling of his life.

Henry Hill’s Birthday and Age

Henry Hill was born on June 11, 1943, making him a Gemini. His life ended on June 12, 2012, just one day after his 69th birthday. He died in Los Angeles, California, due to heart failure brought on by years of smoking-related illnesses. His age, 69, marked the end of a tumultuous life lived at the extremes of both luxury and chaos.

Henry Hill’s Wife: Karen Friedman Hill

No story of Henry Hill is complete without talking about Karen Friedman Hill, his wife.

Karen was born on January 16, 1946, in New York City, and raised in the Five Towns area of Long Island. Coming from a Jewish family, she had a relatively traditional upbringing before crossing paths with the world of organized crime.

Meeting Henry Hill

Karen first met Henry in 1965 during a double date arranged by Paul Vario. Initially unimpressed with Henry’s rough manners, Karen later fell for his charm and the sense of power he exuded. Their relationship quickly blossomed, and they married later that year.

Their marriage included both a civil ceremony and a traditional Jewish wedding, symbolizing their two worlds coming together.

Life as a Mob Wife

Life with Henry was anything but ordinary. Karen enjoyed the benefits of Henry’s criminal earnings—fancy clothes, nights out, and luxury vacations—but she also had to deal with the volatility of mob life. Violence, fear, and police raids became part of her daily reality.

Karen herself admitted in interviews that she was both horrified and attracted by Henry’s lifestyle. She once famously said that the first time she held a gun for Henry, she knew she was crossing a line, but she also felt “important” in his dangerous world.

Witness Protection and Divorce

After Henry turned informant in 1980, Karen and their children entered the Witness Protection Program with him. They moved from place to place, adopting new identities, and trying to avoid retaliation from mob associates who viewed Henry as a traitor.

However, the constant moves and Henry’s inability to stay away from crime strained their marriage. In 1987, Karen filed for divorce. The divorce was finalized in 2002. Afterward, Karen lived a private life, away from the spotlight, though she occasionally surfaced in media features about the Hill family.

Henry Hill’s Children

Henry and Karen had two children together:

• Gregg Hill (son) – Later became an author. He co-wrote the book On the Run: A Mafia Childhood, where he described the chaotic life of growing up under the constant shadow of mob threats and FBI relocations.

• Gina Hill (daughter) – Also featured in Gregg’s writings, though she has largely stayed out of the public eye.

Hill also reportedly had a third child later in life with another partner after divorcing Karen. However, little is publicly known about this child compared to Gregg and Gina.

Henry Hill’s Net Worth

Determining Henry Hill’s exact net worth is complicated. At the height of his criminal career, Hill made millions from illegal activities like hijackings, extortion, and narcotics. The Lufthansa Heist alone netted the mob nearly $6 million in cash and $875,000 in jewelry.

However, much of Hill’s fortune was spent on a lavish lifestyle, squandered on drugs, alcohol, and gambling. After entering witness protection, his income shifted. He earned money from book deals (Wiseguy), film royalties from Goodfellas, interviews, and appearances.

Some estimates suggest his net worth at the time of his death was modest, likely between $500,000 and $1 million. His ex-wife Karen Friedman Hill, meanwhile, has been reported to have a net worth between $1 million and $5 million, largely from book and media rights connected to Henry’s story.

The Legacy of Henry Hill and Karen Friedman Hill

Henry Hill’s story is both a cautionary tale and a fascinating slice of American history. He lived fast, chased money, and ultimately betrayed the very system that had given him power. His wife, Karen Friedman Hill, endured decades of instability, fear, and betrayal, yet her story highlights the resilience of someone who tried to shield her children while navigating a world she never fully chose.

Together, Henry and Karen represent the two sides of mob life—the allure of wealth and power, and the devastating personal costs. Goodfellas may have dramatized their lives for Hollywood, but the real story behind the film is even more complex.

Conclusion

The tale of Henry Hill and his wife, Karen Friedman Hill, is one of crime, love, betrayal, and survival. From his birthday in June 1943 to his death at age 69, Henry lived a life filled with extremes. His children and ex-wife continue to represent the human side of a world that Hollywood often glamorizes.

For readers fascinated by mafia history, Hollywood storytelling, and the real people behind those tales, the Hills’ saga remains one of the most intriguing in modern crime lore.

This article is published for readers of Megacine, where we explore the stories behind the headlines and the people who shaped them.