Legendary wrestling icon Hulk Hogan (born Terry Gene Bollea) has died at the age of 71. Emergency services responded to a cardiac arrest call at his Clearwater, Florida residence on July 24, 2025. Despite over 30 minutes of CPR, Hogan was pronounced dead at Morton Plant Hospital shortly thereafter.
Hogan pioneered the “Hulkamania” era, becoming WWE’s most recognizable face during the 1980s. He headlined WrestleMania eight times, won at least six WWE championships, and helped elevate professional wrestling into a global entertainment phenomenon.
Apart from wrestling, Hulk Hogan was also an actor. He starred in films like Rocky III, No Holds Barred, Suburban Commando, and TV shows including Hogan Knows Best and Baywatch.
In the mid-1990s, Hogan rebranded himself as Hollywood Hogan, co-founding the New World Order (nWo) faction in WCW, further boosting his fame and influence. He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame twice—first in 2005 and again in 2020—after being temporarily removed following a scandal over leaked racist remarks.
In later years, Hogan remained active including co‑founding the freestyle wrestling promotion Real American Freestyle, where he served as commissioner until his death.
Tributes have poured in from across the worlds of wrestling and entertainment. WWE issued a heartfelt statement mourning the loss, and executives and peers—including Vince McMahon, Ric Flair, The Undertaker, John Cena, and Sylvester Stallone—hailed Hogan as one of the greatest figures in wrestling history. Former President Donald Trump, a longtime ally, called him “MAGA all the way”—a reflection of Hogan’s political activism during the 2024 Republican National Convention.
Hogan is survived by his wife Sky Daily, and his children Brooke and Nick. His sudden passing, following health concerns including a neck surgery in May 2025, has left a profound impact on fans and colleagues alike.
