Pro Wrestling Legend Hulk Hogan Dies at 71 After Sudden Cardiac Arrest

Pro Wrestling Legend Hulk Hogan Dies at 71 After Sudden Cardiac Arrest

Clearwater, FL — July 24, 2025 — Hulk Hogan, born Terry Gene Bollea, the iconic wrestling superstar who helped propel professional wrestling into mainstream pop‑culture stardom, has died. Police and medical officials confirmed that Hogan passed away at age 71 following a sudden cardiac arrest at his Clearwater, Florida home in the early morning hours of July 24, 2025.

According to the Clearwater Fire and Police Departments, emergency crews arrived on the scene at approximately 9:51 a.m. and administered CPR for more than 30 minutes, but Hogan was pronounced dead at Morton Plant Hospital shortly thereafter. Authorities reported no signs of foul play and characterized the investigation as routine.

WWE issued a statement expressing deep sorrow over the passing of Hogan, calling him “one of pop culture’s most recognizable figures” and praising his pivotal role in expanding WWE’s global reach during the 1980s. Wrestling legends from across generations, including Ric Flair, John Cena, The Undertaker, Triple H, and Vince McMahon, paid tribute to Hogan as a mentor, competitor, and friend.

Born in Augusta, Georgia, in August 1953, Hogan achieved Hollywood status through his flamboyant appearance—complete with bleach‑blond horseshoe mustache, ripped yellow-and-red ring gear, and the catch‑phrase “What’cha gonna do when Hulkamania runs wild on you?” . He became a cultural phenomenon, headlining eight of the first nine WrestleManias and famously body‑slamming André the Giant at WrestleMania III in 1987—a moment etched in wrestling lore.

His journey wasn’t without controversy. Hogan faced significant backlash for a leaked sex tape and previously used racially offensive language, which led to a temporary removal from the WWE Hall of Fame in 2015. In 2016, he won a landmark privacy lawsuit against Gawker Media—a case that significantly impacted celebrity privacy law .

In his later years, Hogan remained politically visible, notably appearing at the 2024 Republican National Convention to deliver a pro‑Trump speech that sparked major media attention. He also co‑founded Real American Freestyle, an unscripted wrestling venture with Eric Bischoff, serving as its commissioner until his death. The league’s inaugural event was planned for August 30, 2025, in Cleveland, Ohio.

Hogan had struggled with serious health issues in recent years. Multiple cervical spine surgeries had reportedly left him with limited sensation in his legs, and he was seen using a cane on several public occasions. Still, both Hogan and his wife Sky Daily publicly minimized speculation about his health in the days leading up to his death .

At the time of his passing, Hulk Hogan left behind his wife Sky, whom he married in 2023, and his two children, Brooke and Nick. His legacy spans decades of wrestling dominance, pop‑culture crossover, and larger‑than‑life personality that made him one of the most enduring figures in sports entertainment.

Hogan’s sudden death marks the end of a storied era—his contributions stretched far beyond the squared circle, influencing generations of entertainers and wrestlers alike. For fans across the globe, the world has lost a legend, but the energy of “Hulkamania” will echo on.