Hulk Hogan, the legendary American sports and entertainment figure who catapulted professional wrestling into global stardom, has passed away at the age of 71, according to World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE).
In a statement released on Thursday, WWE expressed its grief: “WWE is saddened to learn that Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan has passed away. As one of the most recognisable icons in pop culture, Hogan was instrumental in elevating WWE’s global status during the 1980s.”
Clearwater, Florida police reported responding to a medical emergency for cardiac arrest at Hogan’s home early Thursday. He was transported to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
With his unmistakable bleach-blond hair, deep tan, and towering physique, Hogan became the face of professional wrestling in the 1980s. He helped turn what was once considered a niche form of entertainment into a billion-dollar mainstream spectacle.
One of his defining career moments came in 1987 during WrestleMania III, when he body-slammed the 7’4″ André the Giant before a packed crowd at the Pontiac Silverdome in Michigan — a moment still etched in wrestling history.
While Hogan later explored a career in Hollywood with roles in films such as Rocky III and Santa With Muscles, wrestling remained his core identity, and he returned to the ring time and again as long as his health allowed.
From Terry to Hulk
Born as Terry Gene Bollea on 11 August 1953 in Augusta, Georgia, Hogan moved with his family to the Tampa Bay area in Florida. Before wrestling, he played bass guitar in local rock bands but found his calling in the thriving Florida wrestling circuit of the 1970s.
Much of Hogan’s career was wrapped in the theatrical flair typical of wrestling — with blurred lines between reality and showmanship.
The nickname “Hulk” came from his resemblance to the comic book character portrayed on television, and he reportedly paid royalties to Marvel Comics for the use of the name. The “Hogan” surname was given by wrestling promoter Vincent J. McMahon, who sought Irish representation in his roster.
Hogan’s mainstream breakthrough came with his appearance as “Thunderlips” in Rocky III, towering over Sylvester Stallone. Shortly after, he returned to the WWF, now under Vincent K. McMahon’s leadership, and won the world title in 1984 by defeating The Iron Sheik — a reign that lasted four years.
He quickly became a household name, appearing on the cover of Sports Illustrated and teaming up with pop culture icons like Mr. T. WWF’s dominance in professional wrestling, bolstered by the success of its WrestleMania events, was largely credited to Hogan’s star power.
The Villain Turn and Later Years
In the mid-1990s, Hogan joined rival promotion WCW, trading in his signature yellow attire for black and adopting the role of “Hollywood Hogan,” leader of the notorious New World Order (nWo). The villainous turn revived his career and drew in a new generation of fans.
He eventually returned to WWE and headlined WrestleMania once again in 2002, squaring off against Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. “I’m in better shape than him,” Hogan had joked in an interview with Reuters at the time, just shy of his 50th birthday. The Rock won the bout, but the match remains iconic.
Hogan was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame twice and often likened himself to baseball legend Babe Ruth for his influence on wrestling.
In 2015, he was suspended by WWE following the release of a secretly recorded tape where he used a racial slur. He was reinstated in 2018.
Hogan was married three times and had two children. His family life was featured in the reality show Hogan Knows Best, which aired from 2005 to 2007 and included his then-wife Linda and their children.
Tributes to Hogan, often affectionately called “The Hulkster,” flooded social media. Vince McMahon, his longtime business partner and the former executive chairman of TKO Group, which absorbed WWE in 2023, wrote, “He was a trailblazer… He leaves us with one of his favourite mottos: ‘Train, take your vitamins, and say your prayers.’ Today, we pray for him.”
