Terry Gene Bollea, known worldwide as Hulk Hogan, has died at the age of 71, according to TMZ Sports. On Thursday morning, emergency services and local authorities responded to his residence in Clearwater, Florida, following reports of a cardiac arrest. The WWE icon was rushed to the hospital on a stretcher, as multiple police units and ambulances surrounded the area.
In recent weeks, Hogan’s health had been the subject of speculation. In mid-June, rumors surfaced suggesting he was in critical condition following neck surgery performed in May. However, sources close to the former wrestler insisted at the time that his life was not in danger. His wife, Sky Hogan, also publicly denied claims that he was in a coma, affirming that he was recovering steadily with a “strong heart.”
Hogan was more than a wrestling star—he was a transformative figure who helped turn professional wrestling into a global phenomenon. With his magnetic personality and theatrical flair, he broke away from the sport’s niche appeal and helped make it a family-friendly spectacle. In 1996, he reinvented himself by forming the New World Order (NWO) and adopting the persona of “Hollywood Hulk Hogan,” a move that elevated both his career and professional wrestling to new heights of international popularity.
He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005, but was removed in 2015 after a private conversation containing racist remarks was leaked without his consent. The controversy led to a lawsuit against the media outlet Gawker, which he won. In 2020, he was reinstated into the Hall of Fame, this time as a member of the influential NWO faction.
Hogan’s fame extended well beyond the wrestling ring. He made his big-screen debut in 1982 with Rocky III, playing the charismatic Thunderlips. He later starred in films such as No Holds Barred, Suburban Commando, and Mr. Nanny, and found a new fan base with the hit VH1 reality show Hogan Knows Best, where he shared his off-stage life alongside his wife Linda and their children, Nick and Brooke.
Over the years, Hogan battled the physical toll of his wrestling career. In an interview with the show Object-ified, he admitted that “there’s not a single original part” left in his body due to numerous surgeries.
This past May, he launched Real American Freestyle, an amateur wrestling league that was set to host its inaugural event on August 30 via Fox Nation. His last major public appearance was at the 2024 Republican National Convention, where he received a standing ovation with his trademark showmanship.
Hogan’s death marks the end of an era. His legacy goes far beyond the wrestling world—he left an indelible mark on pop culture, film, television, and the hearts of millions who followed his more than four-decade journey at the center of the spotlight.
