Willie Mosconi was one of the greatest pool players of all time. He was a master of straight pool, a game that requires precision, strategy, and concentration.
He won 19 world championships and set many records in the sport.
In this article, you will know Willie Mosconi‘s net worth, salary, career earnings, contract, stats, wife, career overview, and more.
Willie Mosconi’s Biography
| Full Name | William Joseph Mosconi |
| Born | June 27, 1913 |
| Birthplace | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Nationality | American |
| Age | 80 (at the time of death) |
| Height | 5 ft 8 in (173 cm) |
| Current Tour | N/A (retired) |
| Major Title | World Straight Pool Championship (19 times) |
| Net Worth | Unknown (estimated to be several hundred thousand dollars) |
| Highest Ranking | No. 1 (1941-1950, 1951-1957) |
| Relationship | Married (once) |
| Wife | Flora Marchini (1933-1993) |
| Instagram ID | N/A |
| Twitter ID | N/A |
Willie Mosconi was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on June 27, 1913. He was the son of Joseph Mosconi, an Italian immigrant who owned a pool hall.
He learned to play pool at a young age and soon showed a remarkable talent for the game.
Mosconi was married to Flora Marchini, a former Miss Philadelphia. They had two children: William Jr. and Gloria.
Mosconi died on September 17, 1993, in Haddon Heights, New Jersey. He was 80 years old.
Early Life
Mosconi grew up in a poor neighborhood in Philadelphia. His father ran a pool hall that was frequented by gamblers and hustlers.
Mosconi was fascinated by the game and spent hours practicing on the tables. He also studied books on pool and geometry to improve his knowledge and skills.
He entered his first tournament at 13 and won $50. He then decided to pursue pool as a career and dropped out of school.
He traveled around the country to play against local champions and challenge matches. He earned the nickname “The Kid” for his youth and ability.
Professional Career
Mosconi’s career spanned from 1928 to 1966. He won his first world championship in 1941, defeating Andrew Ponzi in New York City.
He defended his title for eight consecutive years until he lost it to Irving Crane in 1950.
He regained his title in 1951 and held it for another eight years until he retired from competitive pool in 1957.
He won his last world championship in 1957, defeating Luther Lassiter in Chicago. During his career, Mosconi set many records.
He made the highest run of balls in straight pool history with 526 balls in 1954. He also made the highest average score per inning with 150 balls in 1956.
Mosconi also wrote several books on the pool, such as Willie Mosconi on Pocket Billiards (1954), Winning Pocket Billiards (1965), and The Break Shot (1979).
Wife
Mosconi married Flora Marchini, a former Miss Philadelphia.
Willie Mosconi’s Net Worth Details
Willie Mosconi’s net worth is estimated to be $1 million as of 2025.
Mosconi also earned a lot of money from his pool tournaments, exhibitions, endorsements, and movie appearances. At the peak of his career, he reportedly made $25,000 per year.
Career Stats
| Year | Event | Result |
| 1941 | World Straight Pool Championship | Winner |
| 1942 | World Straight Pool Championship | Winner |
| 1950 | World Straight Pool Championship | Runner-up |
| 1951 | World Straight Pool Championship | Winner |
| 1952 | World Straight Pool Championship | Winner |
| 1953 | World Straight Pool Championship | Winner |
| 1954 | World Straight Pool Championship | Winner |
| 1955 | World Straight Pool Championship | Winner |
| 1956 | World Straight Pool Championship | Winner |
| 1957 | World Straight Pool Championship | Winner |
FAQs
1. Who was Willie Mosconi?
Willie Mosconi, born on June 27, 1913, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was an American professional pool player widely regarded as one of the greatest players in history. Nicknamed “Mr. Pocket Billiards,” he won the World Straight Pool Championship 19 times between 1941 and 1957 and set numerous records.
2. What is Willie Mosconi’s most famous record?
Willie Mosconi holds the world record for pocketing 526 consecutive balls in straight pool during an exhibition match in Springfield, Ohio, in 1954. This achievement remained unbeaten for over six decades and is considered one of the most remarkable feats in billiards history.
3. How did Willie Mosconi start playing pool?
Mosconi grew up above his father’s pool hall but was initially discouraged from playing. He practiced using a broomstick and potatoes as balls. By age six, he was competing in exhibition matches, showcasing his natural talent and earning recognition as a prodigy.
4. What championships did Willie Mosconi win?
Mosconi won the World Straight Pool Championship 15 times consecutively. He also won additional national and invitational tournaments throughout his career, solidifying his dominance in the sport.
5. Did Willie Mosconi contribute to popularizing billiards?
Yes, Mosconi played a significant role in elevating billiards’ reputation by disassociating it from its association with hustlers and smoky pool halls. He worked as a technical advisor for films like The Hustler and wrote books promoting the game as a reputable sport.
