Clearwater, Florida – July 24, 2025 — Wrestling icon Hulk Hogan, one of the most recognizable and influential figures in professional wrestling history, has died at the age of 71. The WWE Hall of Famer passed away at his home in Clearwater, Florida, following a reported cardiac arrest.
Born Terry Gene Bollea on August 11, 1953, Hogan rose to global fame in the 1980s as the face of the World Wrestling Federation (now WWE), spearheading what became known as “Hulkamania.” With his distinctive blond mustache, muscular physique, and trademark catchphrases, Hogan helped transform professional wrestling from a regional attraction into a global entertainment spectacle.
Hogan first gained major recognition after defeating The Iron Sheik in 1984 to win his first WWF Championship. He went on to headline the first nine WrestleMania events, including the historic WrestleMania III in 1987, where he body-slammed André the Giant before a record crowd of over 93,000 fans.
In 1994, Hogan joined World Championship Wrestling (WCW), where he reinvented himself as the villainous “Hollywood Hogan” and co-founded the New World Order (nWo), a faction that played a central role in the Monday Night Wars era of professional wrestling.
Hogan returned to WWE in the early 2000s, adding to his legacy with a final run that included a WWE Undisputed Championship win in 2002. He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame twice—once as an individual in 2005 and again in 2020 as a member of the nWo.
Outside of wrestling, Hogan appeared in a number of television shows and films, including Rocky III, No Holds Barred, and Mr. Nanny. He also starred in the reality TV series Hogan Knows Best, which aired on VH1 from 2005 to 2007.
His life, however, was not without controversy. In 2015, Hogan was temporarily removed from WWE programming following the release of a tape containing racist remarks, for which he later apologized. He was reinstated into the Hall of Fame in 2018. Hogan was also at the center of a highly publicized legal battle with Gawker Media over the release of a sex tape, which resulted in a multi-million-dollar settlement in his favor.
In recent years, Hogan had suffered from a number of health issues, undergoing several surgeries, including back and heart procedures. According to reports, he was found unresponsive in his home on the morning of July 24, and was later pronounced dead at Morton Plant Hospital. Authorities confirmed no foul play was involved.
Tributes from across the wrestling and entertainment industries poured in following the news of his passing. Fellow wrestling legend Ric Flair described him as “an incredible friend and performer,” while WWE released a statement calling him “one of the most iconic figures in sports entertainment history.”
Hogan is survived by his wife, Sky Daily, and his two children, Nick and Brooke.
His death marks the end of a storied era in professional wrestling. Hogan’s contributions to the sport helped shape its modern identity, and his cultural influence extended far beyond the ring.
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