Stuff They Don't Want You To Know CLASSIC: Marm Mandelbaum, the Queen of Thieves
Dec 3, 2024
Holly Frey, co-host of the award-winning podcast Stuff You Missed in History Class, joins to discuss the sensational life of Marm Mandelbaum, America's first female mob boss. They explore her transformation from a struggling German immigrant into a savvy criminal mastermind during the Panic of 1857. The conversation highlights her duality as a nurturing mother and a skilled negotiator, revealing her unique pickpocketing school and her audacious escapes. Frey shares insights into how Mandelbaum blurred the lines between crime and legitimacy.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Marm Mandelbaum's Difficult Journey
- Marm Mandelbaum, born in Prussia, immigrated to New York in 1850 with her family.
- Their journey was difficult, especially for Marm, who was nearly six feet tall and endured cramped steerage conditions.
Marm's Turn to Crime
- The Mandelbaums initially struggled in New York's Little Germany, facing discrimination and poverty.
- Marm turned to crime to survive and support her family, becoming a successful fence.
From Peddler to Fence
- Marm started as a street peddler, selling low-demand items like broken watches and scraps of fabric.
- She realized there was more money in moving stolen goods than stealing, leading her to become a fence.