Hulk Hogan Dies at 71: Wrestling Legend Passes Away Following Apparent Cardiac Arrest at Florida Home

Terry Gene Bollea, known to millions around the world as Hulk Hogan, has died at the age of 71. The legendary WWE Hall of Famer passed away early Thursday morning, July 24, 2025, after suffering what emergency responders described as a cardiac arrest at his home in Clearwater, Florida.

According to TMZ, paramedics were dispatched to Hogan’s residence in the early hours. Multiple police units and EMT vehicles were seen outside the property, where the former wrestler-turned-reality star was placed on a stretcher and transported to a nearby hospital. Tragically, he was later pronounced dead.

Hogan’s death has shocked the world of sports and entertainment. Just weeks prior, his wife Sky denied rumors that he had fallen into a coma or was on the verge of death. At the time, she stated publicly that his heart was strong, and he was simply recovering from a routine neck procedure.

Survived by his third wife Sky—whom he married in 2023—Hogan also leaves behind two children from his previous marriage to Linda Claridge: daughter Brooke, 37, and son Nick, 34. He also had two grandchildren.

Though rumors about Hogan’s declining health had circulated in recent months, few could have predicted such a sudden end. His appearance on Fox & Friends earlier this year raised eyebrows, with fans noting a visibly altered look—his iconic deep tan replaced by weathered skin and his typically white beard dyed unevenly, leaving parts of his goatee and hair white and others black. Some viewers even questioned whether it was truly Hogan on-screen.

Despite the speculation, Hogan remained active in the public sphere. He recently endorsed Donald Trump’s presidential campaign, making appearances at rallies and even participating in inaugural events. He was photographed in May 2025 looking upbeat alongside Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.

Hogan’s career helped transform professional wrestling from a regional attraction into a global phenomenon. Rising to fame in the 1980s, he became the face of WWE, headlining the first-ever WrestleMania in 1985 and facing legendary opponents like Andre the Giant, “Macho Man” Randy Savage, The Rock, and even Vince McMahon himself.

With his unmistakable handlebar mustache, signature bandana, and booming voice that often bellowed, “Whatcha gonna do when Hulkamania runs wild on you?”, Hogan embodied an era of wrestling that defined pop culture for a generation.

He held multiple WWE Championships and was officially inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005. But his legacy extended well beyond the squared circle. Hogan made numerous television and film appearances, most notably portraying the wrestler “Thunderlips” in Rocky III (1982), and starred in his own reality show, Hogan Knows Best, on VH1.

However, his life was not without controversy. In 2015, Hogan was expelled from WWE after a leaked recording revealed him using racist slurs during a private conversation. The audio, made public by the National Enquirer and Radar Online, showed Hogan using the n-word multiple times while discussing his daughter Brooke’s personal life. The backlash was immediate, and WWE severed ties.

Years later, Hogan offered several public apologies and eventually returned to the WWE Hall of Fame in 2018. Still, the controversy remained a stain on his reputation, with many fans and fellow wrestlers divided on whether he had truly made amends.

Despite this, Hogan continued to maintain a presence in the wrestling community and broader pop culture. He often reflected on his health challenges, revealing in a 2024 interview that he had endured over two dozen surgeries in the past ten years—including back, hip, shoulder, and knee operations. “I’ve been rebuilt,” he joked on Jake Paul’s IMPAULSIVE podcast. “But I never stopped pushing forward.”

Tributes have poured in from fans, fellow wrestlers, and public figures. Ric Flair, one of Hogan’s closest friends and longtime colleagues, shared a moving tribute on social media: “I am absolutely shocked. Hulk Hogan stood by me when I nearly died, and he’s always been a friend I could count on. No one will ever compare to the Hulkster.”

Former NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III, former MLB pitcher John Rocker, and numerous WWE stars including Charlotte Flair and others also posted heartfelt messages honoring Hogan’s legacy.

WWE released an official statement mourning his loss: “WWE is deeply saddened to learn that Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan has passed away. Hogan was one of the most recognizable figures in pop culture and was instrumental in helping WWE gain worldwide fame in the 1980s. We extend our condolences to his family, friends, and fans around the globe.”

In the last months of his life, Hogan was also facing personal turmoil. His ex-wife Linda accused him of being a “liar” and a “sex addict,” adding fuel to a public family dispute. Their daughter Brooke had reportedly distanced herself from both parents, and tensions remained high.

Regardless of the controversies, few can argue with the cultural impact Hogan had. From his iconic wrestling persona to his appearances in film, television, and beyond, Hulk Hogan helped define an entire era of entertainment.

As one fan wrote on social media, “Whether you loved him or hated him, Hulk Hogan was a titan of the industry. He was wrestling’s first mainstream superstar, and there will never be another like him.”

He leaves behind a complicated but unforgettable legacy—one marked by larger-than-life showmanship, personal failings, and a relentless commitment to staying in the spotlight until the very end.