Professional wrestling superstar Hulk Hogan, born Terry Gene Bollea, has passed away at 71, following an apparent cardiac arrest at his home in Clearwater, Florida, TMZ reports. Emergency medics arrived on Thursday morning after a 911 call, and Hogan was reportedly stretchered into an ambulance before being pronounced dead—marking the end of an era for one of the most famous names in sports entertainment.
WWE officially mourned his loss via a post on X, stating: “WWE is saddened to learn WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan has passed away. One of pop culture’s most recognizable figures, Hogan helped WWE achieve global recognition in the 1980s.” The organization extended heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and fans worldwide.
Hogan’s impact on professional wrestling cannot be overstated. His dramatic body slam of André the Giant at WrestleMania III in 1987 remains one of the most iconic moments in sporting history, transforming wrestling into mainstream, family-friendly entertainment and helping WWF become a billion-dollar enterprise.
Alongside his wrestling fame, Hogan pursued a Hollywood career. He appeared in Rocky III as Thunderlips and starred in Santa With Muscles, before returning to the ring whenever possible. In 2024, he made headlines with a spirited endorsement of Donald Trump at the Republican National Convention, ripping his shirt to reveal a Trump-themed tank top and rallying the crowd with “Let Trumpamania run wild, brother!”
That same year, President Trump paid tribute, calling Hogan a “great friend” whose “cultural impact…was massive.”
Born on August 11, 1953, in Augusta, Georgia, Hogan later moved to Florida, where he shifted from playing bass in rock bands to entering professional wrestling in the 1970s. A blend of charisma and muscle — including his signature “24‑inch pythons” — helped him rise under Vince J. McMahon’s WWF.
He adopted the “Hulk” identity inspired by comic-book heroes and played the rival “Hollywood” Hogan character in WCW’s New World Order—reviving his career in the late 1990s. His return to WWF culminated in a highly anticipated match against Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson at WrestleMania 2002, further solidifying his status in wrestling lore. Respectively inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame twice, Hogan referred to himself as the “Babe Ruth of wrestling.”
Hogan’s life, however, was not without controversy. In 2015, he received a temporary WWE suspension after a leaked recording revealed him using a racial slur. Despite public backlash, he was reinstated in 2018. Beyond wrestling, he also starred in the reality show Hogan Knows Best alongside his family.
Hulk Hogan dies leaves behind a colossal legacy sports icon, entertainer, and cultural phenomenon. Tributes are pouring in from around the world as fans and peers alike celebrate a life that helped transform professional wrestling forever.
