Wrestling legend Hulk Hogan, born Terry Bollea, has died at the age of 71. WWE confirmed the news Thursday morning, calling him “one of pop culture’s most recognizable figures” and a cornerstone of its 1980s rise to global dominance.
Paramedics were reportedly dispatched to Hogan’s Clearwater home after a cardiac arrest call. He was transported by stretcher to a local hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
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Life and Legacy of the Man Behind Hulkamania
Hogan’s legacy is inseparable from the golden era of professional wrestling. With his trademark handlebar mustache, bandana, and larger-than-life persona, Hogan became the face of the then-World Wrestling Federation (WWF) during its meteoric rise in the 1980s. His “Hulkamania” character and high-profile matches—including the iconic WrestleMania III showdown against Andre the Giant in 1987—helped launch WWE into mainstream popularity.
Born in Augusta, Georgia in 1953, Hogan began his wrestling career in the late ’70s before catapulting into superstardom under Vince McMahon’s WWF. Beyond the ring, he became a media personality, actor, and reality TV star, starring in shows like Hogan Knows Best and appearing in films such as Suburban Commando and Rocky III.
Outside of his career, Hogan’s personal life remained in the public eye. He had two children, Brooke and Nick, with his first wife Linda, whom he divorced in 2007. He later married Jennifer McDaniel in 2010 and divorced in 2022, before marrying Sky Daily in 2023.
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In 2024, Hogan made headlines for appearing at the Republican National Convention in support of Donald Trump. His final WWE appearance came earlier this year on Raw’s Netflix debut.
Tributes from fans and colleagues have flooded social media since the news broke. WWE wrote in a statement, “Hogan helped WWE achieve global recognition in the 1980s. WWE extends its condolences to Hogan’s family, friends, and fans.”
