Founding member of Hells Angels, Sonny Barger, has died at the age of 83 following a brief battle with cancer.

The biker, author and California outlaw died surrounded by his wife, Zorana, and his “loved ones”.

In a Facebook post, published after his death, 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.”

Born Ralph Hubert Barger, he wrote in his autobiography that the Hells Angels were a small club in San Francisco before he joined.

The Sons of Anarchy actor went on to create the Oakland Hells Angels in California – now the club’s most significant charter – and is often acknowledged for building it into a worldwide group.

“I’ve lived a long and good life filled with adventure. And I’ve had the privilege to be part of an amazing club,” his Facebook post continued.

“Although I’ve had a public persona for decades, I’ve mostly enjoyed special time with my club brothers, my family, and close friends.”

Warner Bros admits it was ‘wholly wrong’ to block Sky News questions in JK Rowling censorship row

Travis Barker’s daughter Alabama shares message following Blink-182 drummer’s admission to hospital

R Kelly sentenced to 30 years in prison – as survivors confront him over ‘despicable’ abuse

He ended the note by saying: “Keep your head up high, stay loyal, remain free, and always value honour.”

Inside the UK biker feud between the Hells Angels and Outlaws

From prison to an anti-smoking campaigner

Hells Angels has been accused of being a criminal organisation by a number of authorities but Mr Barger has defended the group on numerous occasions, including during one of its biggest controversies when a fan at the Altamont Free Concert in 1969 was fatally stabbed by a member.

He has also been in trouble with the law. In 1972, he and three others were acquitted of murdering a Texas drug dealer and setting a home on fire.

He was later imprisoned for possession of narcotics and possession of a weapon by a convicted felon.

In the early 1980s, Barger was diagnosed with throat cancer and had his vocal chords removed.

Following his diagnosis, he started publicly advocating against smoking using the message: “Want to be a rebel? Don’t smoke as the rest of the world.”

He went on to write six books, his autobiography Hell’s Angel, Ridin’ High Livin’ Free, Dead In 5 Heartbeats, 6 Chambers 1 Bullet, Freedom and his guide to motorcycling Let’s Ride.

Related posts:

UK aid to superpower China hit a record £70 million in 2019 Kremlin critic Navalny appears in public for first time since hunger strike Lukashenko tells Putin opponents trying to ‘destabilise’ Belarus amid outcry over plane diversion Swiss motorcycle racer, 19, dies after crash at Italian GP Armed robbers ‘strap people on car roofs’ as human shields as they raid several banks in Brazil ‘They want to kill us’: Afghan interpreter who worked with British troops in hiding after visa rejected Maxwell’s sex-trafficking trial could answer key questions on Epstein but unlikely to solve all mysteries Johnson accused of making ‘mockery’ of UK-French relations as Paris urges PM to ‘take responsibility’ for migrant crisis US daily COVID cases set ‘world record’ as Biden doubles order for Pfizer pill State of emergency declared in Kazakhstan’s capital as protests intensify British embassy security guard suspected of being Russian spy extradited from Germany to UK Baby’s clothes left strewn across road after fleeing family caught up in Russian fire