CLEARWATER, Fla. — WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan, whose real name was Terry Gene Bollea, passed away at the age of 71 on Thursday, July 24, 2025, after suffering a cardiac arrest at his home in Clearwater, Florida, authorities confirmed. The iconic professional wrestler, known for his larger-than-life persona and the “Hulkamania” phenomenon that transformed wrestling into a global entertainment powerhouse, was pronounced dead at Morton Plant Hospital at 11:17 a.m., according to Clearwater Police Maj. Nate Burnside.Emergency services responded to a 911 call at 9:51 a.m. from Hogan’s residence in the 1000 block of Eldorado Avenue on Clearwater Beach, where operators reported a cardiac arrest. First responders, including Clearwater Fire & Rescue and police, treated Hogan at the scene before transporting him to the hospital. Despite efforts to revive him, he could not be saved. Burnside stated that the death is under standard investigation, with no signs of foul play or suspicious activity.
Hogan’s manager, Chris Volo, confirmed to NBC Los Angeles that the wrestling legend was surrounded by loved ones at the time of his death. His family issued a statement expressing their grief: “It is with a heavy heart and deep sadness that we confirm we have lost a legend. Our beloved Terry Bollea, known worldwide as Hulk Hogan, passed away today surrounded by his loved ones.”
The news comes just weeks after Hogan’s wife, Sky Daily, publicly denied rumors of a severe health crisis, including claims that he was in a coma. Hogan had undergone a neck fusion procedure in May 2025 and was reportedly recovering from a serious heart surgery in June. A source told Us Weekly last month that he was “doing well” post-surgery, though he had been managing complications.
Hogan, born on August 11, 1953, in Augusta, Georgia, and raised in Tampa, Florida, rose to fame in the 1980s with the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE). His charismatic persona, signature bandana, and catchphrases like “Whatcha gonna do when Hulkamania runs wild on you?” made him a pop culture icon. He headlined the inaugural WrestleMania in 1985 and won the WWF Heavyweight Championship six times, with a combined reign of 2,184 days, second only to Bruno Sammartino. His legendary matches, including the iconic body slam of André the Giant at WrestleMania III in 1987, cemented his legacy.
In 1994, Hogan joined World Championship Wrestling (WCW), reinventing himself as the villainous “Hollywood” Hulk Hogan and leading the New World Order (nWo), a storyline that fueled the “Monday Night Wars” and elevated WCW’s “Monday Night Nitro” over WWE’s “Raw” for 83 weeks. He won six additional heavyweight titles in WCW and returned to WWE in 2002, capturing his final championship that year. His 2002 WrestleMania X8 match against Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson remains one of wrestling’s most iconic bouts. Hogan was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005 and again in 2020 as part of the nWo.
Beyond wrestling, Hogan starred in films like Rocky III (1982) as Thunderlips and led the reality show Hogan Knows Best (2005–2007) with his family. His larger-than-life presence extended to endorsements, including his Real American Beer brand launched in 2024. However, his career was not without controversy. In 2015, Hogan was temporarily removed from the WWE Hall of Fame after racist remarks surfaced in a leaked sex tape, leading to a $140 million lawsuit against Gawker Media, which he won in 2016, bankrupting the outlet.
Hogan’s recent public appearances included a spirited speech at the 2024 Republican National Convention, where he endorsed Donald Trump, calling him his “hero” and tearing off his shirt to reveal a Trump-Vance tank top. President Trump mourned Hogan’s passing on Truth Social, writing, “Hulk Hogan was MAGA all the way — Strong, tough, smart, but with the biggest heart.” Vice President JD Vance and Donald Trump Jr. also paid tribute, with Vance calling him a “great American icon” and Trump Jr. labeling him a “legend.”
Wrestling peers expressed profound grief. Ric Flair, a longtime friend, wrote on X, “I am absolutely shocked to hear about the passing of my close friend @HulkHogan
! … He was always there for me even when I didn’t ask for him to be.” Charlotte Flair shared a memory of Hogan’s support during her father’s near-fatal illness, while WCW legend Sting called him “THE GREATEST OF ALL.” Former WWE chairman Vince McMahon described Hogan as “the greatest WWE Superstar of ALL TIME.”
Hogan is survived by his wife, Sky Daily, whom he married in 2023, and his children, Brooke and Nick, from his first marriage to Linda Hogan. The wrestling world and fans worldwide mourn the loss of a transformative figure whose legacy will endure.
WWE issued a statement: “WWE is saddened to learn WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan has passed away. 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.”
