Two-time WWE Hall of Famer and former world champion Hulk Hogan, whose real name was Terry Gene Bollea, has passed away at the age of 71. His family confirmed the heartbreaking news on Thursday.
His family said in a statement on Instagram. “May we all take solace in the wonderful memories he left behind for the millions of fans worldwide
Hogan died in Clearwater, Florida, after police and fire departments responded to a cardiac arrest call just before 10 a.m. on Thursday. He was taken to Morton Plant Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Clearwater Police Department Major Nate Burnside stated that Hogan was experiencing a serious medical-related issue, with no signs of foul play or suspicious activity. His death remains under investigation.
He was born on August 11, 1953, in Augusta, Georgia, USA, Hogan began his professional wrestling career in 1977 with Championship Wrestling from Florida. He later joined WWE (then WWF) in the 1980s, becoming a global superstar and one of pop culture’s most recognisable figures.
Hogan was widely credited for turning wrestling from a regional attraction into a mainstream phenomenon. Known for his signature moves, including the leg drop and his powerful 24-inch biceps – which he called his “pythons” – Hogan was a hero to millions of children, encouraging them to “train, say your prayers, and eat your vitamins.”
Here Are Some Iconic Images of Hulk Hogan Performing His Signature Moves
His famous catchphrase “Whatcha gonna do when Hulkamania runs wild on you?” became iconic, and his character “The Hulkster” dominated wrestling events throughout the 80s and early 90s. Hogan headlined the first WrestleMania on March 31, 1985, alongside Mr. T, defeating Paul Orndorff and Roddy Piper. In total, he appeared in ten WrestleMania matches and featured in the main event eight times.
However, his career was not without controversy. In 1994, during a federal investigation into WWE’s steroid distribution, Hogan testified that he had used anabolic steroids but denied receiving them from WWE Executive Chairman Vince McMahon, who was ultimately acquitted. Later, in 2012, Hogan sued Gawker after they published a sex tape involving him and a friend’s then-wife, winning a $140 million judgment, which was settled for $31 million.
In 2015, Hogan faced backlash after a 2007 recording emerged of him using racial slurs. WWE fired him and temporarily removed him from the Hall of Fame. Hogan publicly apologised, stating, “I’m not a racist, but I never should have said what I said. It was wrong. I’m embarrassed by it.”
Hulk Hogan during his public apology interview on Good Morning America in August 2015
Despite these incidents, Hogan remained a beloved figure in the wrestling world. He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005 as an individual and again in 2020 as a member of the NWO. In 2018, WWE reinstated him, and he co-hosted WrestleMania 37 with Titus O’Neil in 2021.
Outside the ring, Hogan’s personal life included three marriages. He married Linda Bollea in 1993 and had two children, Brooke and Nick. They divorced in 2009. Hogan married Jennifer McDaniel in 2010, but they divorced in 2021 after 11 years of marriage. In July 2023, he announced his engagement to yoga instructor Sky Daily, and they married in September of that year.
Hogan remained active in public life. In July 2024, he took the stage at the Republican National Convention to endorse his longtime friend, Donald Trump, for re-election, dramatically ripping his shirt to reveal a “Trump-Vance 2024” T-shirt underneath. “I’ve known that man for over 35 years, and he’s always been the biggest patriot, and he still is,” Hogan said. “No matter the odds, he always finds a way to win.”
Trump called Hogan’s death a loss of a “great friend,” adding, “Hulk Hogan was MAGA all the way – strong, tough, smart, but with the biggest heart.”
Vince McMahon described Hogan as the “greatest WWE Superstar of ALL TIME”, saying, “He was a trailblazer, the first performer who transitioned from being a wrestling star into a global phenomenon. His grit and unbridled thirst for success were unparalleled – and made him the consummate performer.”
As fans mourn the passing of “The Immortal One,” his legacy continues to inspire new generations of wrestlers and wrestling fans worldwide. Hulk Hogan truly changed the face of wrestling forever.
