Giuseppe Lucchese was born on September 2, 1958, in Palermo, Sicily, in the tough Brancaccio neighborhood—a district long dominated by Mafia power. From a young age, he was drawn into the world of organized crime, rising quickly through Mafia ranks. As a young man, he became close to prominent mobsters such as Giuseppe “Pino” Greco and was mentored in the art of Mafia violence and omertà (code of silence). Lucchese was known for his cold, piercing stare, earning him the nickname "Occhi di ghiaccio" ("Eyes of Ice"). By the early 1980s, he had gained a reputation as a reliable and ruthless killer, becoming one of the most trusted hitmen of the Corleonesi clan, led by Salvatore "Totò" Riina.

Lucchese’s early criminal life was defined by loyalty to the Corleonesi, a willingness to follow orders without question, and an ability to carry out violent acts with chilling efficiency. He became part of a new generation of mafiosi who saw violence not just as a tool, but as a path to power within the criminal underworld of Sicily.

Giuseppe Lucchese’s notoriety grew during the Second Mafia War (1981–1984), a brutal conflict in which the Corleonesi sought to eliminate all rivals and seize total control of the Sicilian Mafia. Lucchese served as a key assassin, taking part in some of the most infamous Mafia killings of the era. He was accused of involvement in the murders of rival bosses Stefano Bontade and Salvatore Inzerillo, both symbols of the old Mafia order that Riina wanted to destroy. Lucchese was also linked to the high-profile assassinations of Carabinieri General Carlo Alberto Dalla Chiesa and politician Pio La Torre, both of whom were killed in 1982 in targeted attacks meant to send a message to the Italian state.

Within the Corleonesi’s inner circle, Lucchese was a trusted lieutenant to Pino Greco. In September 1985, he and Vincenzo Puccio betrayed and murdered Greco on Riina’s orders, a move that eliminated a rival and secured their own positions. Puccio became boss, and Lucchese was appointed his right-hand man (substitute capo). This period saw continued violence as Lucchese maintained his reputation as a fearsome enforcer, reportedly involved in up to 50 murders.

After the murder of Puccio in prison on May 11, 1989, Lucchese rose further, becoming capo mandamento (district boss) of the Ciaculli-Brancaccio Mafia families. His power, however, was short-lived. On April 1, 1990, Lucchese was arrested in Palermo. He was tried and convicted in absentia during the Maxi Trial in 1987, receiving a life sentence for multiple murders, including those of Dalla Chiesa and La Torre. Lucchese’s criminal career ended behind bars, where he remains imprisoned for life.