Hells Angels Founder Sonny Barger Dead at 83: 'A Long and Good Life Filled with Adventure'

Mar. 15, 2025

Photo: Mario Magnani/Getty

Sonny Barger, founder of the Hells Angels, arguably the world’s most notorious outlaw motorcycle clubs, has died. He was 83.

“If you are reading this message, you’ll know that I’m gone. I’ve asked that this note be posted immediately after my passing,” read a post shared on his officialFacebook page.

“I’ve lived a long and good life filled with adventure. And I’ve had the privilege to be part of an amazing club. Although I’ve had a public persona for decades, i’ve mostly enjoyed special time with my club brothers, my family, and close friends,” the post continued. “Please know that I passed peacefully after a brief battle with cancer.”

His former lawyer, Fritz Clapp, confirmed Barger’s death toNBC Newsand theWashington Post, stating that his cause of death was liver cancer.

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Robert Houston/AP Photo

Barger, who was a heavy smoker for decades, was diagnosed with throat cancer in 1982 and had his vocal cords removed, according to theWashington Post. He later campaigned against smoking.

One of thecampaign adsread, “Want to be a true rebel? Don’t smoke as the rest of the world. I had throat cancer and my vocal cords were removed because of that damned cigarette. Be an angel, stop smoking.”

Born in California October, 8, 1938, Barger was a founder of the Oakland Hells Angels chapter in April 1957, according toThe New York Times. He went on to become the club’s national president and played a key role in shaping its public image. While leading the club, he served time in prison on drug charges, the newspaper reported.

He stepped back from official duties in 1998 after moving to the suburbs, but still remained a member, per theWashington Post.

AP Photo

Barger wrote a number of books, includingHell’s Angel — The Life and Times of Sonny Barger and the Hell’s Angels Motorcycle Club, which was aNew York Timesbestseller, per the newspaper.Throughout his life, he occasionally appeared on screen, making a cameo in the 1967 filmHells Angels on Wheels, which starredJack Nicholson, per theTimes. In 2010, he also appeared on the television showSons of Anarchy.

source: people.com