Hulk Hogan Dies at 71 In a tragic turn of events which transpired on Thursday, July 24, 2025 the world of professional wrestling was shaken to its core when WWE Hall of inductee Hulk Hogan died at the age of 71 from cardiac arrest at his home in Clearwater, Florida. The sudden death of the man that took wrestling to a global stage left fans from all over the world to grieve the loss of their youth hero.
Breaking News: End of the Line for Pro Wrestling
Hulk Hogan Dies at 71 WWE is sorry to report that which is a large part of the WWE Hall of Fame, Hulk Hogan has gone. In the world of pop culture he was a main event and also it was during the 1980’s that he brought global attention to the WWE.
I am in shock upon hearing that my close friend @HulkHogan has passed. I have known since we started out in the wrestling business. — Also this is a public notice to those who may not know.
The Rise of Hulkamania: How Hulk Hogan transformed wrestling
Born in 1953 in Augusta, Georgia as Terry Gene Bollea, Hogan went global in late 1983 when he signed with the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now known for the WWE). His character as the all-American hero brought in the ‘80s boom which in turn transformed pro wrestling from a local past time into a world scale entertainment phenomenon.
The event which marked the height of what is known as “Hulkamania” was in January 23, 1984 when Hogan defeated The Iron Sheik for the WWF Championship at Madison Square Garden. That victory which began a run of 1,474 days which is the second longest in WWE Championship history. During that great era which we may term as the heyday of Hulkamania Hogan was a main eventer for the first 9 out of the first 10 WrestleMania events which he headlined, also the most memorable of which was against Andre the Giant at WrestleMania III which saw over 93,000 fans at the Pontiac Silverdome.
In 1988 at the “WWF Main Event” which featured a match between Hogan and Andre the Giant we saw the highest in home viewer numbers for the time in professional wrestling with a 15.2 Nielsen rating and 30.2 million tuning in. This large a audience at that time showed how the sport had grown into the living rooms of America and also secured Hogan’s place as a true crossover star which went beyond what was normally seen in sports entertainment.
Career Achievements and Championship Legacy
Throughout his great career which spanned decades Hulk Hogan also amass a large number of titles and awards that solid which he is still known for today. He won the WWE Championship 6 times and the WCW World Heavyweight Championship also 6 times for a total of 12 world titles. Also note that his first run as WWE Champion at over 1,400 days is also still the longest in the title’s history.
Hogan went into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005 as a single competitor and again in 2020 as part of the New World Order which made him one of only eight wrestlers to do so. Also he was the first guy to win back to back Royal Rumble matches which he did in 1990 and 1991.
Pro Wrestling Illustrated in 1983 named Hogan the most inspirational wrestler and in ’85, ’89 and ’90 they named him the most popular. Also in ’87, ’94 and ’97 he was named Pro Wrestler of the Year. The Make A Wish Foundation reports that at the top of the list for terminal ill children’s wishes was to meet Hulk Hogan.
Hollywood Career and Entertainment Success
Beyond the wrestling circle Hogan did what few could he broke into main stream entertainment, appeared in many films and TV shows which played to his larger than life persona. His film break through was in Rocky III (1982) which saw him play Thunder Lips the professional wrestler who goes head to head with Rocky Balboa in a non — professional match. The film did which at the box office and critics did not love it — giving it a 66% on Rotten Tomatoes — but it was the introduction of Hulk to Hollywood.
Hogan was in a number of action comedy films through the 80’s and 90’s which included No Holds Barred (1989), Suburban Commando (1991) and Mr. Nanny (1993). Although the critics didn’t care for them they did earn Hogan a new young fan base and proved his appeal went beyond wrestling.
In the world of entertainment he also hosted “Hogan Knows Best” which ran on VH1 from 2005 to 2007 and which followed the lives of his family. The show came to an end in 2007 which was also the year his son Nick had a serious accident in a car which put the show out of business.
The nWo Era and Career Renaissance
After leaving WWE in 1993 Hulk went to rival promotion World Championship Wrestling where he had a great career revival. In 1996 he shocked the wrestling audience by turning heel and at the same time took on the “Hollywood” Hulk Hogan character as the head of the nWo stable which also included Kevin Nash and Scott Hall.
This career change showed that Hogan’s incredible adaptability as a performer and also enabled WCW to go head to head with WWE during the “Monday Night Wars” of the 1990s. The nWo story was a hit for WCW’s main show Monday Nitro, which saw 83 straight weeks of out doing WWE’s Monday Night Raw. Also during this time Hogan put on three heads of the main event at Starrcade which saw the 1997 edition of that event become the most successful pay per view in WCW’s history.
Recent Health Struggles and Final Days
In past few months we have seen reports of Hogan’s declining health which broke out after his surgery in May 2025. Also at this time his wife Sky Daily reported that he was not in a coma as he recovers from the issue which his health was put through, also she reported that his heart is strong. But also reports from within Hogan’s inner circle report that he has been struggling health wise which is a result of years of tough taking in his wrestling career.
I’ve had 10 back surgeries, also both knees and both hips replaced, also we did the shoulder work it was all there. For years Hogan’s health was reported to be poor, also it was in the past 10 years that the heart issues became more frequent.
Social Media Reactions and Tributes
RIP to the great Hulk Hogan who called FL-13 home. May he go on, but the memory of Hulkamania will live forever.
Hulk Hogan was a very large figure in the States, in fact he was the first one that I looked up to as a child. I had that chance at a meet and greet to finally see him up close. I was going to buy him a drink that day which we planned to do the next time out. That time will have to be in that other place, my friend! Goodbye.
Wrestling fans filled social media with tributes and at the same time that many put forth the popular “death comes in 3s” theory which played out with Hogan’s passing soon after other celebrity deaths. Also on Instagram fans were sharing their favorite wrestling moments and outpourings of grief for the loss of their childhood hero.
Lasting Legacy and Cultural Impact
Huge success outside the wrestling ring and the movie theater which is where you see the extent of Hulk Hogan’s reach into American popular culture. He put forth catch phrases like “Whatcha gonna do when Hulkamania runs wild on you? and “Train hard, say your prayers, and eat your vitamins” which became a part of the American language and also did that which his career was all about.
Hogan’s which is what made him great as a performer did the job of connecting with audiences of all demographics. From inspiring health conscious kids to putting out content that adult fans could get into with his larger than life persona he had a unique charm which went beyond what we typically see in entertainment. What is also amazing is the impact he had on professional wrestling which in turn grew from a small time sport into a multi billion dollar global industry.
Terry Bollea’s turn into Hulk Hogan is what may be put forth as the most successful character development in pro wrestling. In all areas of today’s professional wrestling we see his influence, from the personification of larger than life characters to the inking of deals with main stream media and the celebrity which that brings.
Despite past issues over the years which included a 2015 scandal which saw him leave WWE for a time, Hogan still was a main event draw and an influential man within the business. What he did for entertainment and in raising the bar for professional wrestling is a legacy which is hard to deny and which will go on to inspire the next generation of performers and fans.
Hulk will forever be a part of the memories of those he touched.
FAQ Section: Here is what you should know about Hulk Hogan.
What did Hulk Hogan die from?
Hulk Hogan passed away from cardiac arrest on 7/24/2025 at is home in Clearwater, Florida. Emergency personnel went to his home that early Thursday morning on a 911 report of a “cardiac arrest”. Even with the medical professionals’ best efforts the 71 year old wrestling star didn’t pull through and was declared dead at Morton Plant Hospital.
His death followed a long health struggle which included a neck fusion procedure he had in May 2025. Also over the years leading up to his death Hogan had put through some 25-26 surgeries which also included 10 back surgeries, knee and hip replacements and a variety of other procedures related to his decades as a wrestler.
Is Hulk Hogan still alive 2025?
No in 2025 Hulk Hogan is gone. In July 25, 2025 at the age of 71 the wrestling legend died. That which brought an end to his life was reported by TMZ Sports and later confirmed by many other news sources and also by WWE and his family. His manager Chris Volo also reported the news.
Just a few weeks before his death reports were of his health which included speculations that he was in a coma or on life support, but also that he had had heart issues which he was recovering from. Also his wife Sky Daily reported that his heart was doing “strong” and that he was indeed recovering from recent surgeries.
Hulk Hogan net worth
In July 2025 at the time of his death, reports had it that Hulk Hogan’s net worth was $15 million as per Celebrity Net Worth. That number saw a large drop from what was his peak which at one time hit as high as $79 million during his wrestling career.
For many reasons which played out over the years his net worth diminished. From his contentious divorce with first wife Linda Bollea which he came out of with financial1 damage he gave up 70% of what had been the couples’ liquid assets, paid out $3 million for property settlements and also let go 40% of his business interests. Also he has paid in full $26 million to his two ex wives and for a number of years has been paying out $1.5 million per year in alimony.
In 2016 Hogan’s fortune grew greatly from his victory in suit against Gawker Media which saw a $31M settlement after taxes. His wealth was a result of many things which included his great wrestling career, roles in films such as Rocky III and Suburban Commando, business in restaurants and merchandise, endorsement deals, and his reality TV show “Hogan Knows Best.
How old is Hulk Hogan?
Hulk Hogan at the time of his death on July 24, 2025 was 71. Born Terry Gene Bollea on August 11, 1953 in Georgia, he died a few weeks before what would have been his 72nd birthday.
Through 71 years of life which saw it out in the professional wrestling world, Hogan became a figure that was known by all, his career lasting over four decades from 1977 to 2012. Also it was his age which along with the physicality of the sport and multiple surgeries that had been taking their toll on him in the recent years.
Hulk Hogan height
Huge at 6’7′ (201 cm) that’s what the tag line was during Hulk Hogan’s wrestling career. But what the legend says is that he did lose over 3 inches to multiple surgeries and the physical toll of his career.
I was 6’7” tall, but after having knee, neck and back surgeries I am now 6’4.
During his peak Hogan weighed in at over 300 pounds and had what became known as his 24 inch “pythons” biceps. His large scale presence was a key to his success in the ring and in turn helped to develop his larger than life personality which in turn captured global audiences.
Is The Ultimate Warrior dead?
Yes, The Ultimate Warrior passed away on April 8, 2014 at age 54. Born James Brian Hellwig he legally changed his name to “Warrior” in 1993. The Ultimate Warrior had a heart attack while walking with his wife to their car outside a hotel in Scottsdale, Arizona which left him dead at the nearby hospital.
His passing was especially hard to bear which was so shorty after he was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame on April 5, 2014, appeared at WrestleMania XXX the next day on April 6, and made what out to be his last appearance on Monday Night Raw on the 8th. The cause of death was reported as cardiovascular disease which was determined by the Maricopa County Medical Examiner’s Office.
The Ultimate Warrior was a huge star in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s which saw him defeat Hulk Hogan at WrestleMania VI in 1990 to win the WWE Championship. He left behind wife Dana and 2 daughters.
Hulk Hogan real name
Hulk Hogan’s real name is Terry Gene Bollea. He was born on August 11, 1953 in Augusta, Georgia and went on to use that name even as he became world famous in the wrestling circuit under the persona of “Hulk Hogan.
Unlike many a wrestler that has gone through the process of legally changing the name which they are known by in the ring to the legal one, Terry Bollea did not go so far as to change his actual birth name to that of Hulk Hogan. Throughout his career legal papers, real estate files and other records continued to show his birth name Terry Gene Bollea. That is to say that at time of his divorce and in the Gawker lawsuit settlement his real name was still that of Terry Gene Bollea.
In the ring as Hulk Hogan that’s what he was known for the name was made just for his wrestling career. “Hulk” from the Marvel Comics character and “Hogan” which gave it that Irish appeal to fans. But in personal and business aspects out of the ring life, he was still Terry Bollea.
Is Hulk Hogan in the hospital?
As of July 24, 2025, Hulk Hogan is no longer in the hospital because he passed away that day. However, he was briefly hospitalized on the morning of his death after emergency responders transported him from his Clearwater, Florida home to Morton Plant Hospital following a cardiac arrest.
In the months leading up to his death, there had been multiple instances where Hogan was hospitalized. In May 2025, he underwent a neck fusion procedure, described as a “little fusion procedure”. In June 2025, rumors circulated that he had been hospitalized due to ongoing neck and back issues, though his representatives at the time stated he was “by no means on his deathbed”.
Just weeks before his death, his wife Sky Daily had addressed concerns about his health on social media, denying rumors that he was in a coma and stating that “his heart is strong” as he recovered from surgeries. Unfortunately, despite these reassurances, Hogan’s health condition proved to be more serious than publicly known, leading to his fatal cardiac arrest on July 24, 2025.
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