Wrestling legend Hulk Hogan dies at 71, leaving a lasting legacy

Friday 25 July 2025 - 12:50

By: Dakir Madiha

Wrestling legend Hulk Hogan dies at 71, leaving a lasting legacy

Professional wrestling icon and entertainment star Hulk Hogan has passed away at the age of 71. The Clearwater Police Department confirmed that medics responded to a cardiac arrest call at Hogan’s Florida home shortly before 10 a.m. on Thursday. He was pronounced dead at Morton Plant Hospital.

Hogan, born Terry Gene Bollea, was transported via stretcher to an ambulance, as witnessed by onlookers outside his residence, according to a TMZ report. The outlet had previously dismissed rumors of Hogan’s deteriorating health last month, attributing his hospitalization to lingering neck and back issues.

A towering figure in wrestling and pop culture

Hulk Hogan was arguably the most recognized figure in professional wrestling history. Standing at 6 feet 7 inches and weighing roughly 300 pounds, the larger-than-life showman became a global sensation with his trademark bleached blond mustache, receding long blond hair, and deep, booming voice. He famously referred to fans and rivals alike as “brother” and coined the iconic phrase, “Whatcha gonna do when Hulkamania runs wild on you?”

Hogan’s career skyrocketed when he portrayed the fictional wrestler Thunderlips in the 1982 film Rocky III, where he faced off against Sylvester Stallone’s Rocky Balboa. This role, combined with his charisma, cemented his status as a pop culture phenomenon.

World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), formerly the World Wrestling Federation, mourned Hogan’s passing in a statement. “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.”

Hogan was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005, but his career faced setbacks in 2015 when audio recordings of him making racially charged statements surfaced. Though removed from the Hall, he was reinstated in 2018 after a public apology.

Controversy, comeback, and personal struggles

Hogan’s personal life was often under scrutiny. A leaked portion of a sex tape led to a highly publicized lawsuit against Gawker in 2012, resulting in a $140 million jury award. The case caused Gawker’s bankruptcy, with Hogan eventually settling for $31 million. He later accused the outlet of leaking the tape to the National Enquirer, which published audio of him using racial slurs.

His family life was also frequently in the spotlight, including on the VH1 reality show Hogan Knows Best (2005–2007) and its spinoff Brooke Knows Best, featuring his daughter, Brooke Hogan. However, Brooke revealed in March that she had distanced herself from her parents due to the ongoing public negativity surrounding the family.

Hogan’s political affiliations also made headlines. He was a prominent speaker at the 2024 Republican National Convention, where he endorsed Donald J. Trump’s presidential campaign, telling the crowd, “We’re gonna bring America back together one real American at a time, brother.”

Tributes from the wrestling world

Hogan’s death has elicited heartfelt tributes from friends, fans, and fellow wrestlers. Longtime associate Darren Prince, who served as Hogan’s marketing agent for 25 years, described the news as “devastating,” adding, “I was blessed to know the real Terry Bollea as both a dear friend and family.”

Ric Flair, another wrestling legend, expressed his grief on social media. “I am absolutely shocked to hear about the passing of my close friend @HulkHogan! Hulk has been by my side since we started in the wrestling business. No one will ever compare to you! Rest in peace, my friend.”

Hogan is survived by his third wife, Sky Daily, and two children, Brooke and Nick Hogan, from his first marriage to Linda Hogan.

His death marks the end of an era for professional wrestling and pop culture, leaving behind a legacy that inspired millions of fans across generations.