Simon Mann, the notorious British mercenary and former SAS officer, has passed away at the age of 72 from a heart attack. His legacy is intertwined with military coups and the tumultuous politics of Equatorial Guinea, most notably his failed attempt to oust the dictator in a plot that captivated international attention.
The Intriguing Legacy of Simon Mann: Mercenary and Coup Architect
The Intriguing Legacy of Simon Mann: Mercenary and Coup Architect
British mercenary Simon Mann, known for his coup attempts and checkered past, dies at 72, leaving behind a controversial legacy.
Simon Mann, a figure who carved out a notorious niche in the world of military mercenaries, has died at the age of 72. The former British Army officer and Special Air Service (SAS) member became infamous for his attempts to orchestrate regime changes in several African nations. His life was marked by a dramatic coup gone awry in Equatorial Guinea in 2004, where he found himself apprehended in an airport hangar by Zimbabwean secret police, a moment that signified both the end of his ambitions and the start of his media notoriety.
Mann, educated at Eton and known for his privilege, wrote extensively about his life, including in his memoir "Cry Havoc," published in 2011, where he described his failed coup as “the whole [expletive] shambles.” This phrase became synonymous with the incident, often nicknamed the "Wonga Coup," a reference to his plea for money sent to his wife while behind bars in Zimbabwe.
He passed away on May 8, his life cut short by a heart attack while using a rowing machine at his London home, according to Aleksandra Binkowska, CEO of Hydrogen Utopia, the energy firm that had employed him. Despite his checkered past, Mann's story continues to evoke a mix of astonishment and intrigue as one of the most notorious mercenaries of his era. His death not only leaves a questionable legacy behind but also raises questions about the nature of mercenary work and political intervention in turbulent regions.
