Robert Wilson Hodges, the colorful Memphis figure widely known as “Prince Mongo,” has died at the age of 89. Hodges passed away on August 10, 2026, leaving family, friends, admirers, and generations of people familiar with his unforgettable public persona reflecting on a life that was anything but ordinary.
Born on December 17, 1936, in Norfolk, Virginia, Robert Hodges lived nearly nine decades and became known for his distinctive personality, unconventional character, humor, and larger-than-life presence.
Over the years, the name “Prince Mongo” became inseparable from Hodges’ public identity. For many people in Memphis, the name represented far more than a nickname. It became a defining part of the man himself and a symbol of the individuality and eccentricity that made him so memorable.
Hodges was never someone who appeared interested in blending into the crowd. His willingness to embrace his own identity and live according to his own unconventional style helped turn him into a recognizable Memphis personality.
His colorful character and unmistakable presence earned him admirers and made him a figure people remembered long after encountering him. Whether through his humor, public appearances, or distinctive personality, “Prince Mongo” created an impression that remained with those who crossed his path.
But beyond the public persona was Robert Wilson Hodges, a man whose life was also defined by personal relationships. To his family, friends, and those who knew him away from the spotlight, he was more than the eccentric character known to the public.
Those closest to Robert will remember their own personal moments with him — conversations, laughter, shared experiences, and the memories created over the many decades of his life.
His passing marks the end of an extraordinary chapter for a man who spent nearly 90 years embracing individuality and leaving his own unmistakable mark on the community around him.
As Memphis remembers Robert Wilson Hodges, the legacy of “Prince Mongo” will remain part of the city’s colorful history. His name, personality, and unconventional approach to life ensured that he would not easily be forgotten.
For family, friends, and admirers, the days ahead will bring reflection on a remarkable life and the memories of a man who, in his own unmistakable way, made the world around him a little less ordinary.
