Mann's life was marked by ambition and controversy, creating a legacy that captivated media attention.
Simon Mann, Notorious Mercenary Behind a Failed Coup, Passes Away at 72
Simon Mann, Notorious Mercenary Behind a Failed Coup, Passes Away at 72
The British ex-SAS officer was famed for his military exploits and infamous for his role in the Wonga Coup.
Simon Mann, the infamous British mercenary and former Special Air Service (SAS) officer, has died at the age of 72. He passed away from a heart attack on May 8 while using a rowing machine at his home in London, according to Aleksandra Binkowska, CEO of Hydrogen Utopia, the energy firm he was associated with.
Mann's notoriety stemmed from his bold, often reckless pursuits, including a failed coup attempt in Equatorial Guinea in 2004. The plot, which aimed to overthrow the country’s leader, unraveled when Mann and his associates were captured by the Zimbabwean secret police at an airport hangar, leading him to describe the incident as a "whole [expletive] shambles" in his memoir, "Cry Havoc," published in 2011.
Born into a privileged British background, Mann attended Eton and served in the Scots Guards before becoming a mercenary. His career was characterized by high-profile military engagements and significant financial rewards, which he detailed in various interviews over the years.
The media dubbed his venture into Equatorial Guinea the "Wonga Coup," inspired by Mann's desperate appeals for money during his incarceration. His life of intrigue, along with its tragic downfalls, captured the fascination of both respectable and sensationalist news outlets alike.
Mann’s death marks the end of an era for one of Britain's most noticed mercenaries, whose adventures often blurred the line between ambition and recklessness.
