Thursday 30 June 2022 11:03 AM Hells Angels founding member Sonny Barger dies aged 83 from cancer trends now Hells Angels founding member Sonny Barger dies aged 83 from cancer: Married biker said 'I've had the privilege to be part of an amazing club' in message posted to Facebook after he died Sonny Barger has died after a cancer battle surrounded by wife and loves ones The Oakland, California, biker helped start the Hells Angels group in the 1950s He had many run-ins with the law but beat murder and racketeering charges By Jack Newman For Mailonline Published: 10:57 BST, 30 June 2022 | Updated: 10:57 BST, 30 June 2022 Viewcomments Sonny Barger, the founding member of the Hells Angels motorcycling club, has died aged 83 after a battle with cancer. The California outlaw, who was involved in drugs and protection rackets, died surrounded by his wife Zorana and other loved ones. A post shared on his Facebook page after his death included a farewell message from the biker to his legions of fans after 65 years as a member of the club. Sonny Barger, the founding member of the Hells Angels motorcycling club, has died aged 83 after a battle with cancer The California outlaw, who was involved in drugs and protection rackets, died surrounded by his wife Zorana and other loved ones The post read: '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. 'Although I've had a public persona for decades, I've mostly enjoyed special time with my club brothers, my family, and close friends. '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. 'Keep your head up high, stay loyal, remain free, and always value honor.' Barger moved to Oakland, California, as a child and enlisted in the army as a teenager but soon became interested in motorcycle clubs. A post shared on his Facebook page after his death included a farewell message from the biker to his legions of fans after 65 years as a member of the club He says in one of his autobiographies that the Hells Angels were a small club in San Francisco which had fizzled out when he and other bikers decided to pick up the name, starting the Oakland Hells Angels, the club's most significant charter. He became the club's national president and helped grow it to the international organization it is today. But he had frequent run-ins with the law, spending several stretches in prison but also avoided longer sentences after beating a number of serious charges in court. In 1972, Barger and three others were acquitted of murder after a Texas drug dealer was killed in Oakland and a residence was set on fire. He was also let off for racketeering charges in a split verdict while nine others were convicted. In his book Hell's Angel, Barger claims he was sentenced to 30 years' in jail but served just five and had addictions to 'bikes, booze, girls and good times'. After a rival gang stole Barger's Harley Davidson, he hunted down the person responsible, before beating him senseless and breaking his fingers one by one with a hammer. Share or comment on this article: All rights reserved for this news site (dailymail) and under his responsibility