Professional wrestling legend Hulk Hogan, whose real name was Terry Gene Bollea, died at age 71 on Thursday morning after reportedly suffering a cardiac arrest at his Clearwater, Florida, home.
Emergency responders were dispatched to Hogan’s residence just before 10 a.m. following a 911 call about a “cardiac arrest,” TMZ Sports reported. Multiple police vehicles and EMTs were observed outside the home, and Hogan was transported by stretcher into an ambulance.
Hogan had been recovering from neck surgery performed in May, and his wife, Sky Daily, recently denied rumors that he was in a coma, stating his heart was “strong.” Speculation about his health had intensified in recent weeks, including unfounded “deathbed” rumors.
Born in Augusta, Georgia, in 1953, Hogan rose to fame in the 1980s and 1990s, becoming a central figure in the global popularity of professional wrestling.
Joining the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE) in 1979, he adopted the name Hulk Hogan and won the WWF heavyweight title in 1984, launching “Hulkamania” and cementing his status as a cultural icon.
He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005 and again in 2020 as part of the New World Order wrestling group.
“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,” WWE posted on its X account.
Beyond the ring, Hogan transitioned into Hollywood, starring in films like Rocky III (1982) as Thunderlips, No Holds Barred (1989) as Rip, Suburban Commando (1991), and Mr. Nanny (1993). While often critically panned, these roles solidified his appeal among younger audiences. He also starred in the action series Thunder in Paradise (1994) and the reality show Hogan Knows Best (2005-2007), which followed his family life and introduced his children, Brooke and Nick, to a wider audience.
Last summer, Hogan gave a memorable high-octane speech at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee to rally support for Donald Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign.
Hogan is survived by his wife, Sky Daily, whom he married in September 2023, and his children, Brooke, born in 1988, and Nick, born in 1990, from his marriage (1983-2009) to Linda Claridge. He also leaves behind stepchildren from Daily’s prior relationships and his first grandchildren, twins born to Brooke in January 2025. His brother, Allan Bollea, died in 1986.