Two-time WWE Hall of Famer and former world champion Hulk Hogan, whose real name was Terry Gene Bollea, died Thursday at the age of 71, according to Clearwater, Florida, police and World Wrestling Entertainment.
“WWE is saddened to learn WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan has passed away,” the company said. “One of pop culture’s most recognizable figures, Hogan helped WWE achieve global recognition in the 1980s.
WWE extends its condolences to Hogan’s family, friends, and fans.”Emergency services were dispatched to Hogan’s Clearwater, Florida residence early Thursday morning after a call described a “cardiac arrest” incident. The Clearwater Police Department and Fire Department responded to a call for cardiac arrest just before 10 a.m. and took Hogan to Morton Plant Hospital, where he was pronounced dead, police said.
According to Media24flashnews Team USA Witnesses reported that several police and EMT vehicles was at the scene, and Hogan was seen being taken from the home on a stretcher and loaded into an ambulance. Hogan was “experiencing a serious medical-related issue” and there are no signs of foul play or suspicious activity, Clearwater Police Department Maj. Nate Burnside said during a press briefing on Thursday. His death remains under investigation, Burnside said.
Just weeks earlier, Hogan’s wife, Sky, had publicly dismissed online rumors suggesting the WWE star was in a coma, asserting that his heart was “strong” and that he was recovering well from recent surgeries.
Born Terry Bollea, Hulk Hogan was instrumental in turning professional wrestling into a global spectacle. Before his rise to fame, wrestling had a more niche following. With his charisma, larger-than-life persona, and family-friendly appeal, Hogan became the face of the WWE in the 1980s and drew in millions of fans – adults and children alike.
In 1996, Hogan famously reinvented himself by switching from fan favorite to villain, forming the legendary New World Order (NWO) faction and adopting the moniker “Hollywood Hogan.” The move reinvigorated his career and propelled wrestling to new heights.
Hogan was first inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005. However, he was removed in 2015 following the leak of a secretly recorded tape in which he made racist remarks. He later sued the now-defunct media outlet Gawker over the footage and won a high-profile legal battle. WWE reinstated him in 2020 with a second Hall of Fame induction — this time as a member of the NWO.
Beyond the ring, Hogan made a notable mark in Hollywood. His acting career began in 1982 with a memorable role as Thunderlips in Rocky III. He went on to star in movies such as No Holds Barred, Suburban Commando, and Mr. Nanny. He also found reality TV fame in the 2000s with Hogan Knows Best, a VH1 series that followed the lives of his family — wife Linda and their children, Nick and Brooke.
Hulk Hogan’s legacy, both as a wrestling pioneer and pop culture icon, leaves an indelible mark on the world of sports entertainment.
He took the stage at the Republican National Convention in July 2024 to endorse President Donald Trump, a longtime friend. He ripped his shirt off in famous fashion and revealed a Trump-Vance 2024 T-shirt below.
“I’ve known that man for over 35 years, and he’s always been the biggest patriot, and he still is,” Hogan said. “He’s always told you exactly what he thought, and he still does, brother. No matter the odds, he always finds a way to win.
“In a statement on the death of his “great friend,” Trump said Hogan’s “electric speech” was one of the highlights at the RNC.
“Hulk Hogan was MAGA all the way — Strong, tough, smart, but with the biggest heart,” Trump said. “He entertained fans from all over the World, and the cultural impact he had was massive.
“Hogan was married three times, first to Linda Bollea from 1993 to 2009. The former couple had two children, Brooke and Nick.
Hogan married Jennifer McDaniel in 2010 but they filed for divorce in October 2021 after 11 years of marriage.
Hogan announced his engagement to yoga instructor Sky Daily in July 2023 and the two married in September 2023.
Hogan is survived by his two children and wife Sky Daily.
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