What if I told you the world’s biggest jewel heist happened… right here at The Pierre Hotel in New York City?

On January 2nd 1972, The Pierre Hotel in New York was the scene of one of the largest jewel heists in history.

Rising above Fifth Avenue at 61st Street, The Pierre Hotel is one of New York City’s most iconic luxury landmarks. Opened in 1930, this French-inspired, 41-story hotel overlooks Central Park and has long been synonymous with glamour, elegance, and old-world sophistication. Over the decades, it has hosted royalty, celebrities, and dignitaries, while also making history as the site of legendary events, including the infamous 1972 Pierre heist.

*Random Mobsters, not the actual thieves. - Photo: Getty Images*

While ultra-rich guests were sleeping off New Years’ partying from the night before, tuxedo-clad mobsters gained access by pulling up to the Pierre's 61st Street entrance in a black limo, pretending to be friends of a guest.

*The looted safe deposit boxes. - Photo: AP*

They took the 19 staffers and security guards hostage while the others jacked open over 208 safe deposit boxes, making off with guests’ jewels and other valuables. Of note, the most valuable item was a $750,000 Harry Winston diamond necklace that belonged to Baroness von Langendorff.

*Although the heist wasn't part of a scheme the Corleone's cooked up, the Luchese crime family was behind it! - Photo: AP*

But here’s the twist... they never yelled, never cursed. They called everyone ‘sir’ and ‘miss,’ even avoiding handcuffing anyone who looked sick. Such polite gangsters.

Before making their getaway, the thieves handed each detained hotel employee a $20 bill, then slipped out at 6:30 a.m., just before the 7:00 shift arrived.

They walked away with about $3 million in jewels and cash. That’s the equivalent of more than $23 million today!

Although several suspects were later caught, much of the treasure was never recovered. So somewhere out there, someone’s rocking a diamond from The Pierre heist!

The Pierre’s crown jewel, is it’s legendary triplex penthouse.

The 16-room triplex spans 11,000-square-feet, has five bedrooms, four terraces, a paneled library, a wine cellar, a black Belgian marble staircase, and the hotel’s former ballroom with soaring 23-foot ceilings 43 floors above Central Park. Whoa.

The triplex last sold in 2017 for $44 million.

The Pierre Hotel Jewel Heist

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