Sonny Barger Cause of Death: Famed Hells Angels Leader's Last Letter Unveiled

By Alexandria Reeves

Sonny Barger, the famed founder of the Hells Angels, has died. He was 83.

The members of the motorcycle club and Barger's fans were left shocked after a post on his official Facebook page confirmed his death. The post in question was personally written by Barger before his passing.

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. I've lived a long and good life filled with adventure. And I've had the privilege to be part of an amazing club," he said.

For the last time, he expressed how happy he was because of the time he spent with his club brothers, family, and close friends.

Barger assured his fans that he died peacefully after his battle with cancer.

He was surrounded by his wife, Zorana, and his loved ones when he took his last breath.

He did not reveal what type of cancer he was exactly diagnosed with. But his former lawyer, Fritz Clapp, shared a separate statement with NBC News and The Washington Post. He revealed that he endured liver cancer for years.

The American Cancer Society explains that liver cancer starts in a person's largest internal organ. There are different types and forms of the dreaded disease, but all of which share similar symptoms, including jaundice, dark urine, nausea, weakness, bruising, and unexpected weight loss, to name a few.

For Barger's part, he was known as a heavy smoker for decades, leading him to suffer from another type of cancer.

Sonny Barger Endured Another Type of Cancer

Aside from liver cancer, Barger was also diagnosed with throat cancer in 1982.

At that time, he had his vocal cords removed. His health issue led him to campaign against smoking.

In one of his projects, he said, "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."

Barger famously became the founder of the Oakland Hells Angels chapter in April 1957. He also became the club's national president and continued leading the club while serving his prison time due to drug charges.

In 1998, he let go of his position in the club but remained a member.

Barger also highlighted his career as an author, helming books like "Hell's Angel - The Life and Times of Sonny Barger and the Hell's Angels Motorcycle Club."