The wrestling world is immersed in sorrow following the loss of one of its most illustrious legends. Hulk Hogan, whose real name was Terry Gene Bollea, passed away peacefully at his home in Clearwater, Florida, on the morning of July 24th, as confirmed to E! News by officials. The wrestling icon was 71 years old.
According to a 911 call obtained by the outlet, emergency services were dispatched to Hogan's residence in response to a "cardiac arrest." Clearwater police stated in a communication to E! News that Hogan was transported to Mortan Plant Hospital, where he was pronounced deceased. His managers also subsequently affirmed the heartbreaking news to E! News.
"We are absolutely devastated," they said in a poignant statement. "He was not only an extraordinary individual but also a beloved friend."
The former professional wrestler was a pillar in his community and etched his name in history by winning six WWE championships throughout his storied career. Upon learning of Hogan's demise, the WWE issued a tribute in honor of one of their most renowned alumni.
"The WWE is deeply saddened to learn that WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan has passed away," read the statement shared on [a specific date] July 24th. "As one of pop culture's most recognizable figures, Hogan played a pivotal role in propelling the WWE to global fame in the 1980s. The WWE extends its heartfelt condolences to Hogan's family, friends, and legions of fans."
Just over a month prior to his untimely passing, Hogan's representative quashed rumors suggesting that he was "on his deathbed," reassuring E! News in June that there was "no cause for alarm." The representative clarified that while Hogan, known for his role in the reality show "Hogan Knows Best," had "issues with his back," he had undergone successful neck surgery.
Battling health issues was nothing new for Hogan, who officially retired from wrestling in 2012. He had been open about his struggles, revealing that he had undergone more than 25 surgeries due to the physical demands of his WWE career.
"I've undergone around 25 surgeries in the past decade. Ten of them were for my back," he told Jake Paul on the IMPAULSIVE podcast in September 2024. "I've had ten back surgeries, both knees and both hips replaced, shoulders—pretty much everything."
Hogan's wrestling journey, which commenced in 1977, saw him embrace the moniker "The Real American" and become synonymous with his signature yellow and red attire, as well as his iconic leg drop move, which he later lamented for the damage it inflicted on his hips and knees.
The beloved 71-year-old was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005 by Sylvester Stallone. Throughout his reign as a wrestling superstar, Hogan was supported by his ex-wife Linda Hogan, with whom he shared two children: Brooke Hogan, 37, and Nick Hogan, 34. In 2005, the family starred in their fleeting reality series "Hogan Knows Best," which provided a glimpse into Hogan's life both in and out of the WWE. However, the series came to an end a year after Linda filed for divorce in 2007, following 24 years of marriage.
While the Hogans once shared their lives with viewers, in recent years their relationships became strained, with Brooke revealing earlier this year that she was estranged from both her parents.
"Having no contact with my mom has nothing to do with my dad, and vice versa," the 37-year-old penned in an Instagram post on March 27th. "I desperately wanted to see the good in them, to protect, help, and start anew, only to be disrespected repeatedly. I yearned for a normal family, but it never materialized."
As Hogan embarked on a new chapter, he found love again, tying the knot with Sky Daily in 2023 and launching Real American Beer a year later. The couple frequently shared joyous moments from their life with Sky's three children and made a public appearance last year to support Donald Trump at the Republican National Convention, where Hogan delivered a speech.
During his public engagements, Hogan often reminisced about the "terrible" safety conditions in early professional wrestling. Despite this, the Georgia native felt that he couldn't have ended up in a better place in life.
"It was something I stumbled into quite by accident," he confessed on the IMPAULSIVE podcast last year. "I was a huge fan." And while he acknowledged that he could have taken better care of his body in another profession, Hogan added, "It was all good, man. No regrets."
