Sonny Barger's Net Worth, Biography, Stats • Scottmax.com

Hey there! Are you ready to take your entrepreneurial dreams to the next level and achieve financial freedom? Look no further, because I’ve got something awesome to share with you – the Scott Max Newsletter.

Picture this – a newsletter that brings you expert advice, valuable insights, and actionable strategies to help you build and grow a successful business. It’s like having a trusted friend by your side, supporting you on your journey to success.

Here’s what you can expect when you become a subscriber to our exclusive newsletter:

1/ Business Analysis:

Stay ahead of the game with our in-depth business analysis. Our team of industry experts dissects trending market strategies, highlights emerging opportunities, and provides insights that can make all the difference in your entrepreneurial journey.

Sonny Barger going through business analysis

2/ Actionable Step-by-Step Guides:

Starting a business can be overwhelming, but we’ve got you covered. Our meticulously crafted guides take you through each stage, providing clear instructions and practical tips to help you navigate challenges and achieve your goals.

3/ Unlock the Path to Freedom:

We understand that the ultimate goal for many entrepreneurs is to achieve financial freedom. Our newsletter shares proven strategies and innovative approaches to help you break free from the traditional work-life constraints and build a business that aligns with your dreams.

So, friend, let’s embark on this exciting journey together. By subscribing to our newsletter, you’ll gain access to valuable insights, practical tips, and the support you need to thrive in your entrepreneurial endeavors.

Ready to take the leap?

subscribe to newsletter

1. Introduction

Sonny Barger was born Ralph Hubert Barger Jr. 1938 in Modesto, California. He founded the Oakland chapter of the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club in 1957.

Barger quickly became a prominent figure in the outlaw biker community. He helped grow the Hells Angels into a global organization.

Barger’s life was marked by controversy. He was involved in various criminal activities, including drug trafficking and conspiracy.

These led to multiple prison sentences. Despite his criminal record, Barger also became an author and actor.

Barger contributed to the cultural mythos of the Hells Angels through his writings and media appearances. He passed away on June 29, 2022, at 83.

Sonny Barger on a bike in a city streets

2. Early Life

Sonny Barger had a tough childhood. He had a tough start in life. His mother left when he was young, so he grew up in Oakland with his alcoholic father and Pentecostal grandmother.

Barger had a rocky time in school as well. He often clashed with authority at school, got into trouble frequently, and was suspended.

He usually got into trouble and was suspended. He dropped out during his sophomore year.

At 16, he tried to join the U.S. Army using a fake birth certificate, but he was discharged when they found out his actual age.

Before becoming famous, Barger worked different jobs. He was a machine operator for a while and worked as a janitor and a pipe threader.

He also joined a short-lived motorcycle club called the Oakland Panthers. This experience led him to co-found the Oakland chapter of the Hells Angels in 1957.

Barger loved motorcycles from an early age. They meant freedom and rebellion to him and fit well with his nonconformist spirit.

3. Sonny Barger and Hells Angels

Joining Motorcycle Clubs

In 1956, 18-year-old Sonny Barger joined his first motorcycle club, the Oakland Panthers, which he co-founded with fellow military veterans.

After that club disbanded, Barger and other bikers, including Don “Boots” Reeves, formed a new group.

Reeves wore a patch from a defunct Hells Angels chapter in North Sacramento, inspiring Barger and his crew to create their own Hells Angels chapter on April 1, 1957.

Founding the Oakland Chapter

While Barger is often credited as the founder of the Hells Angels, the club was established in 1948.

However, under his leadership, the Oakland chapter grew in prominence, mainly because they were unaware that other Hells Angels chapters existed.

Barger became known for his chapter’s rebellious nature and for creating the famous “Death’s Head” logo.

Leadership and Expansion

In 1958, Barger was appointed president of the Oakland chapter after meeting with other Hells Angels chapters.

He quickly expanded the club’s influence, making Oakland the headquarters of the Hells Angels.

Barger introduced new rules for the club and played a pivotal role in organizing it into a nationwide entity.

4. Rise to Prominence

National Leadership

When Otto Friedli, the founder of the original Hells Angels chapter, was imprisoned in 1958, Barger became the de facto national president.

One of his first actions was to relocate the “mother chapter” to Oakland, solidifying the chapter’s authority within the club.

Barger introduced more structure, including bylaws and rules, which helped the club grow.

Criminal Activities and Club Expansion

Barger led the club through periods of conflict, including clashes with rival clubs like the Gypsy Jokers.

By the 1960s, under Barger’s leadership, the Oakland chapter had established a narcotics distribution network.

Barger implemented rules around drug use and sales within the club, trying to maintain order while expanding their illegal activities.

International Expansion

In 1961, Barger established the first Hells Angels chapter outside of the U.S., in New Zealand. This began the club’s global presence, with chapters expanding internationally under Barger’s guidance.

Patriotism and Anti-War Stance

Barger and Hells Angels, primarily veterans, viewed themselves as patriotic. They opposed anti-Vietnam War protests. In 1965, Barger led an attack on demonstrators.

Counterculture and Expansion

After backlash, counterculture figures met with Angels. Barger copyrighted the club’s name in 1966. He advised on biker films and expanded chapters.

Drug Trade

Angels began selling PCP in 1967, later dominating methamphetamine production. Barger recruited chemists and expanded operations.

Criminal Activities

By the late 1960s, Angels dealt in drugs, weapons, and explosives. They negotiated with law enforcement. Barger faced addiction and drug distribution charges.

Altamont Free Concert

Barger and the Hells Angels provided security at the Altamont Free Concert, resulting in violence and the fatal stabbing of a concertgoer, Meredith Hunter, by an Angel, marking a dark moment in rock history.

“Gangster Era” RICO Trial

Barger faced charges under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act 1979. He was accused of various crimes, including drug trafficking and violence, but was acquitted of the most severe charges.

War Against the Outlaws

Barger led the Hells Angels in a violent turf war against the rival Outlaws Motorcycle Club, resulting in numerous violent clashes and deaths over control of territory and drug trade.

Operation Cacus

A federal investigation targeting Barger and the Oakland Hells Angels led to multiple arrests, including Barger. He was convicted of conspiracy to transport explosives with intent to kill, serving four years in prison.

5. Notable Work

Books

Sonny Barger wrote several books. His most famous is “Hell’s Angel: The Life and Times of Sonny Barger and the Hell’s Angels Motorcycle Club.”

This memoir gives readers a peek into his life and the Hells Angels world.

He also wrote “Ridin’ High, Livin’ Free: Hell-Raising Motorcycle Stories” and “Freedom: Credos from the Road.” These books explore freedom and biker life.

Sonny Barger reading a book he wrote in his house at night

Film and Television

Barger appeared in the 1970 documentary “Gimme Shelter.” This film covered the infamous Altamont Free Concert. He also played in the TV show “Sons of Anarchy.”

He played Lenny “The Pimp” Janowitz. This role strengthened his connection to biker culture in popular media.

Impact

Barger helped shape the public’s view of biker culture through his books and media appearances. His works gave an insider’s perspective on the Hells Angels.

They also explored themes of freedom and rebellion that many found fascinating.

6. Net Worth

When Sonny Barger died in June 2022, his estimated net worth was $500,000. This might surprise some people. It’s not a huge amount for such a famous figure.

Sonny Barger's net worth, money background

Sources of Wealth

Barger’s wealth came from different sources. He was an author and wrote several books. These books likely brought in a good chunk of money. He also acted in some films and TV shows. This added to his income.

7. Personal Life

Sonny Barger was married four times. His first wife, Elsie Mae George, died tragically in 1967. He then married Sharon Gruhlke in 1973, but they later divorced.

His third marriage to Beth Noel Black also ended in divorce in 2003. Later in life, Barger married Zorana Katzakian. He had one adopted daughter.

Sonny Barger in his wedding, wearing wedding suit, his bride in the background

Physical Characteristics and Personality

Sonny Barger had a rugged look that fit the outlaw biker image.

He often had a long beard and tattoos. He wore leather jackets and biker gear. He also had a gravelly voice due to throat cancer surgery in the early 1980s.

Barger was charismatic and authoritative. These traits helped him become a leader in the Hells Angels as he was fiercely independent and loyal to his club.

Barger had a no-nonsense attitude that earned respect from friends and foes alike. Despite his criminal activities, he valued brotherhood within the biker community.

8. Influence on Pwhatre

Sonny Barger significantly influenced pop culture through his association with the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club and his portrayal in various media. Here are some key ways in which he contributed to pop culture:

Cultural Icon: Barger symbolized the rebellious, free-spirited biker lifestyle. His image and persona have influenced fashion, music, and lifestyle, embodying the ethos of individualism and nonconformity.
Media and Literature: Barger was featured in Hunter S. Thompson’s book “Hell’s Angels: The Strange and Terrible Saga of the Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs,” which helped popularize the club’s image in the 1960s. His books, such as “Hell’s Angel: The Life and Times of Sonny Barger and the Hell’s Angels Motorcycle Club,” further cemented his status as a cultural figure.
Film and Television: Barger appeared in films like “Hells Angels on Wheels” and the documentary “Gimme Shelter,” which chronicled the Altamont Free Concert. He also played in the television series “Sons of Anarchy,” which drew inspiration from the outlaw biker culture.

9. Controversies

Criminal Activities and Legal Troubles

Barger had many run-ins with the law. His first arrest was in 1963 for marijuana possession. Over time, he faced charges of assault, drug trafficking, and conspiracy to murder. In 1973, he got four years in prison for heroin and gun charges.

Conspiracy Against Rival Gangs

In the late 1980s, Barger was convicted of planning to blow up a rival gang’s clubhouse. He spent almost four years in prison for this. It showed how violent the rivalry between biker gangs could be.

Leadership and Gender Policies

Barger made the Hells Angels men-only in 1964. He said women couldn’t defend themselves against rival bikers. This policy made the club look very male-dominated.

Public Image vs. Reality

Barger often downplayed the Hells Angels’ criminal activities in public. He portrayed the club as just motorcycle fans unfairly targeted by police. This created a complex public image of him and the club.

Domestic Violence

In 2003, Barger was arrested for domestic violence against his then-wife, Beth Noel. This incident led to their divorce and damaged his public image.

Trial and Imprisonment

Barger faced severe legal troubles due to his Hells Angels involvement. In 1973, he got four years for heroin and gun possession. He still led the club from prison.

In 1988, he was convicted of planning to use explosives against a rival gang. This led to a 57-month sentence in Arizona. While in prison, Barger took up running and turned down interviews.

10. Release and Later Years

Barger left prison in 1992. He stepped back from leading the Hells Angels but remained essential to the club. He focused on writing books, including his bestselling autobiography. Barger also appeared on TV, like in “Sons of Anarchy.”

11. Death

Sonny Barger died on June 29, 2022, at 83. He had liver cancer. Before dying, he wrote a message thanking people for his adventurous life.

His funeral at Stockton 99 Speedway drew thousands, especially people from many motorcycle clubs, who came to honor him, and the event had speeches, a slideshow, and performances. It celebrated Barger as an icon of outlaw biker culture.

12. Lesser Known Facts About Sonny Barger

Here are some lesser-known facts about Sonny Barger:

Support for the Vietnam War

1965, Barger and the Hells Angels made headlines by disrupting anti-war protests in Berkeley, California. He even sent a letter to President Lyndon Johnson offering to volunteer Hells Angels members for combat duty in Vietnam.

Limited Motorcycle Ownership

Barger owned only 10 to 12 bikes despite his lifelong association with motorcycles. This is relatively rare for someone so deeply embedded in motorcycle culture.

Personal Philosophy

Barger lived by a simple philosophy: “I treat everyone exactly the way I want to be treated. If they treat me good, I treat them better. If they treat me bad, I treat ’em worse”.

Assassination Attempts

Due to his high-profile status and involvement with the Hells Angels, Barger faced numerous assassination attempts throughout his life, primarily from rival gangs and individuals seeking notoriety.

13. Conclusion

Sonny Barger lived a life full of ups and downs. He was the face of the Hells Angels for many years.

This made him famous but also landed him in a lot of trouble. Barger spent time in jail and faced many dangers.

He also wrote books, appeared on TV shows, and helped shape people’s thoughts about bikers and freedom on the road.

Sonny Barger's portrait, dark purple background

Some people admired him, while others thought he was dangerous.

When Barger died in 2022, he left behind a complicated story, and people still argue about whether he was a hero or a villain.

Ultimately, Barger’s life shows us that freedom can be expensive. When he died, Sonny Barger’s net worth was about $500,000.

Sonny Barger's portrait, dark violet background

References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sonny_Barger

https://allthatsinteresting.com/sonny-barger

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0054554/trivia

https://facts.net/history/people/40-facts-about-sonny-barger

https://www.washingtonpost.com/obituaries/2022/06/30/sonny-barger-hells-angels-dead

https://allthatsinteresting.com/sonny-barger

https://hellsangelsrichmond.com/news/view/11343/RALPH_SONNY_BARGER__AN_OUTLAWS_TALE_OF_HARLEYS_HIGHWAYS_-_HELL https://meaww.com/how-did-sonny-barger-die-founder-of-the-most-notorious-outlaw-club-hells-angels-was-kicked-out-of-us-army