Who Is Ronnie Biggs? Age, Biography and Wiki
Ronnie Biggs was born on August 8, 1929, and he passed away on December 18, 2013. Known for his involvement in the Great Train Robbery of 1963, Biggs became a symbol of criminal infamy in the UK. His life story, which included a daring escape from prison and years spent in exile, is often chronicled in media, making him a fascinating figure in contemporary criminal history.
In 2025, if he were still with us, Biggs would be 95 years old. His life journey, filled with controversy and notoriety, continues to generate discussions around crime and celebrity in popular culture.
| Occupation | Autobiographer |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | August 8, 1929 |
| Age | 84 Years |
| Birth Place | Stockwell, London, England |
| Horoscope | Leo |
| Country | England |
| Date of death | 18 December, 2013 |
| Died Place | Barnet, London, England |
Popularity
Ronnie Biggs's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
While specific measurements of Ronnie Biggs are not extensively documented, it is known that he stood at approximately 5 feet 8 inches tall (173 cm) during his life. His weight fluctuated during various periods, especially during his time in hiding, where stress and lifestyle affected his physical appearance.
On 23 April 2009, the Parole Board recommended that Biggs be released on 4 July, having served a third of his 30-year sentence. However, on 1 July, Straw did not accept the Parole Board's recommendation and refused parole, stating that Biggs was 'wholly unrepentant'.
On 28 July, Biggs was readmitted to Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital with pneumonia. He had been admitted to the same hospital a month earlier, with a chest infection and a fractured hip, but returned to prison on 17 July. His son Michael said, in one of his frequent news releases: "It's the worst he's ever been.
The doctors have just told me to rush there."
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Ronnie Biggs was married to a woman named Charmian. Their relationship faced significant challenges due to his criminal activities and the resulting media attention. Following his escape and the events that unfolded, the couple and their family had a tumultuous life marked by public scrutiny. As of 2025, Biggs' legacy lives on through his children and their families, as there are no reports of a new romantic partner.
On the night of the hold up, Biggs told his wife he was off logging with Reynolds in Wiltshire. The gang then stopped the mail train in the early hours of 8 August 1963, which was Biggs's 34th birthday. Agate was unable to operate the main line diesel-electric locomotive because he had only driven shunting locomotives on the Southern Region.
Therefore, the driver of the intercepted train, Jack Mills, was coshed with an iron bar and forced to move the engine and mail carriages forward to a nearby bridge over a roadway, which had been chosen as the unloading point.
Biggs's main task had been to get Agate to move the train, and when it became obvious that the two were useless in that regard, they were banished to a waiting vehicle while the train was looted.
Net Worth and Salary
At the time of his death in 2013, Ronnie Biggs' net worth was estimated to be around £400,000. His earnings primarily came from his various ventures tied to his criminal notoriety, including media interviews, books, and television appearances. In subsequent years, his life story has continued to generate interest, and the ongoing fascination with crime and punishment suggests that additional revenue streams may have emerged through posthumous discussions and adaptations of his life story.
In April 1977, Biggs attended an informal drinks party on board the Royal Navy frigate HMS Danae (F47), which was in Rio for a courtesy visit, but he was not arrested. Though in Brazil he was safe from extradition, Biggs's status as a known criminal meant he could not work, visit bars or be away from home after 10 p.m.
To provide an income, Biggs's family hosted barbecues at his home in Rio, where tourists could meet Biggs and hear him recount his involvement in the robbery, which, in fact, was minor. Biggs was even visited by former footballer Stanley Matthews, whom Biggs afterwards invited to his apartment after hearing that he was in Rio.
"We had tea on the small balcony at the rear of his home, and one of the first things he asked was, 'How are Charlton Athletic doing?' It turned out he had supported Charlton from being a small boy and had often seen me play at The Valley." Around this time, "Ronnie Biggs" mugs, coffee cups and T-shirts also appeared throughout Rio.
Career, Business and Investments
Biggs' career was predominantly marked by crime, with his most infamous role being a participant in the Great Train Robbery. After serving a portion of his sentence, he fled to Brazil, where he lived for several decades. Upon his return to the UK and his subsequent re-imprisonment, Biggs remained a figure of public interest.
While Biggs did not have a traditional career or investment portfolio, his life in crime served as a basis for various media projects, including documentaries, films, and books. These included adaptations that showcased his story and the broader implications of his actions.
In 1963, Biggs, who needed money to fund a deposit on the purchase of a house for his family, happened to be working on the house of a train driver who was about to retire. The driver has been variously identified as "Stan Agate", or because of his age, "Old Pete" or "Pop". The train driver's real name is unknown, since he was never caught.
Biggs introduced the driver to the train robbery plot, which involved Reynolds. Biggs was given the job of arranging for Agate to move the Royal Mail train after it had been waylaid.
Social Network
During his life, Ronnie Biggs was a polarizing figure on social media. His story sparked discussions about crime, ethics, and rehabilitation. If he were active in 2025, it's likely that he would have a following on various platforms, engaged in discourse about celebrity culture and criminality. However, following his passing, discussions about him are often centered around his legacy rather than any active engagement.
When the men had unloaded 120 of the 128 mailbags from the train within Reynolds' allotted timetable, and returned to their hideout at Leatherslade Farm, various sources show that the robbery yielded the participants £2.6 million (equivalent to £0 as of 2025); Biggs's share was £147,000 (equivalent to £0 as of 2025).
With their timetable brought forward due to the police investigation closing in, Biggs returned home on the following Friday, with his stash in two canvas bags.
Education
Ronnie Biggs had a rudimentary education, as many of his peers in his era experienced. His life choices led him far from traditional academic paths, driving him into a life characterized by rebellion against societal norms. His lack of formal education did not prevent him from becoming a noteworthy figure, as his life story captivated the public and scholars alike.
After his third prison sentence, Biggs tried to go straight and trained as a carpenter. In February 1960, he married 21-year-old Charmian (Brent) Powell in Swanage, the daughter of a primary school headmaster. They had, in total, three sons together.
