**Notorious Mercenary Simon Mann Dies at 72 After a Life of High-Stakes Adventures**

**Simon Mann, a former British Army officer and infamous mercenary, passed away on May 8, 2025, due to a heart attack while exercising. His life was marked by military daring, controversial plots, and eventual downfall.**

Simon Mann, the British mercenary whose life was steeped in tales of military escapades and notorious plots, has died at the age of 72. The former Special Air Service (SAS) officer gained notoriety after his failed attempt to stage a coup against the government of Equatorial Guinea in 2004, an event that became infamously known as the Wonga Coup.

Mann's journey into the realm of mercenary work followed a distinguished military background and an education at Eton. His exploits culminated in a grand scheme that aimed to topple the authoritarian regime of Equatorial Guinea. However, the operation unraveled dramatically when he was captured by Zimbabwean secret police at an airport hangar, where he found himself surrounded by armed officers. In his memoir, "Cry Havoc," Mann recalled the moment with a sense of despair, reflecting on the chaotic outcome of an endeavor that had promised wealth and fame.

The details surrounding the Wonga Coup captured both public interest and media attention in the UK, where Mann's story became emblematic of the risks and rewards associated with such ambitious undertakings. His plea for a monetary "splodge of wonga" while incarcerated further fueled the sensational narrative.

Simon Mann passed away on May 8, 2025, while exercising at his home in London. According to Aleksandra Binkowska, CEO of Hydrogen Utopia, the energy company that had engaged Mann, he suffered a heart attack while on a rowing machine. His life will be remembered as a tapestry of intrigue, ambition, and the complexities of a mercenary career that led him down a perilous path.