For many, Sonny Barger was the face of the famous Hells Angels motorcycle club. Barger, whose real name was not Sonny but Ralph Hubert Barger, was a founding member of the Hells Angels group in Oakland, California. He founded the class in 1957 when he was just 19 years old. It was one of the motorcycle club’s first seasons.

A year after the formation of the Auckland branch, Barger was promoted to national president, making the Auckland branch the club’s main branch.

On his Facebook page, a pre-written post by Barger was posted on June 29, 2022. The post announced that Barger had died of cancer. Barger wrote, “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.” He added, “Please know that I passed peacefully after a brief battle with cancer. But also know that in the end, I was surrounded by what really matters: My wife, Zorana, as well as my loved ones.” He was 83 years old.

Over 35,000 people have commented on Barger’s post since it was posted expressing their condolences and wishing Barger to “rest easy” and “ride in peace.”

Barger’s life has been featured in multiple books including his own autobiography, “Hell’s Angel: The Life and Times of Sonny Barger and the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club.” He has also appeared in multiple documentaries and in the TV series, “Sons of Anarchy.”

Barger’s life was at times violent. He was arrested multiple times for multiple charges including murder charges. More recently, he suffered from multiple types of cancer. In 1983 he had his vocal cords removed due to throat cancer. In 2012, he had his prostate removed due to prostate cancer.

Watch the video below to learn more about Barger’s life including a personal experience one reporter had with Sonny when she was just a baby.

Barger leaves behind his wife, Zorana. The couple had been married since 2005.

[Image credit: Wikipedia]

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