Hulk Hogan, one of the most popular professional wrestlers of all time who helped make WWE a juggernaut, died on Thursday, WWE confirmed.
He was 71.
A “cardiac arrest” call was placed and medics were sent to Hogan’s home in Clearwater, Fla., according to TMZ.
He was stretchered into an ambulance.
Hulk Hogan has died at the age of 71. WireImage
Hulk Hogan rose to fame with the then-WWF in the 1980s. Getty Images
“WWE is saddened to learn WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan has passed away.” WWE wrote on X. “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.”
Terry Bollea aka Hulk Hogan poses for a photograph in the Sands Pearl Hotel. Stephen Yang
A “cardiac arrest” call was placed and medics were sent to Hogan’s home in Clearwater, Fla., according to TMZ. Stephen Yang
Hogan, real name Terry Bollea, began his wrestling career in Florida in the 1970s and rose to prominence in the 1980s with his All-American “Hulkamania” persona and helped transform WWE, then known as the WWF, into a national powerhouse.
Rumors about Hogan’s health have been swirling for weeks after he underwent neck surgery in May, with some claiming he was left in a coma and on his deathbed, according to TMZ.
Hulk Hogan wrestles Andre the Giant at WrestleMania III on March 29, 1987. WWE via Getty Images
But his wife, Sky Daily, denied those claims and insisted he was feeling “strong” as he recovered.
That was just the latest in numerous surgeries he endured over the course of his body-battering career.
It remains unclear if Hogan’s death had anything to do with that surgery. A press conference is expected to be held Thursday afternoon
Rumors about Hogan’s health have been swirling for weeks after he underwent neck surgery in May, with some claiming he was left in a coma and on his deathbed, according to TMZ. ZUMA24.com
That was just the latest in numerous surgeries he endured over the course of his body-battering career. Stephen Yang
Before Hogan stepped into the arena, wrestling was a niche sport.
Here is the latest on wrestler Hulk Hogan’s death
Hulk Hogan with a headlock on Tony Atlas. Corbis via Getty Images
Clad in yellow tights and boots with red kneepads, long bleach-blonde hair and t-shirts he’d regularly rip off, Hogan captivated audiences with his flamboyant promos in which he’d brag about his “24 inch python” biceps, his constant use of “brother” and his signature line “What’cha gonna do when Hulkamania runs wild on you?!”
He became WWF’s top attraction as Vince McMahon launched WrestleMania, which has became the biggest annual wrestling event in the world.
Hulk Hogan passed away on July 24, 2025. Toronto Star via Getty Images
Black and white photo of George Peppard and Hulk Hogan on the set of *The A-Team*. NBCUniversal via Getty Images
The first WrestleMania at Madison Square Garden became a pop-culture phenomenon, as Hogan teamed with Mr. T to defeat Paul Orndorff and Roddy Piper in the main event.
In 1984 he was crowned the World Heavyweight Championship, and went on to form his own league, the New World Order.
During WrestleMania III at the Pontiac Silverdome in front of approximately 78,000 fans, Hogan bodyslammed Andre the Giant in one of the signature moments in wrestling history.
Hulk Hogan (l.) and Mr. T (r.) during their WrestleMania I match at MSG on March 31, 1985. WWE via Getty Images
Hulk Hogan signing autographs at Fanatics Fest NYC. Michelle Farsi/New York Post
In 1994, Hogan was a key witness in McMahon’s steroid trial, in which he was accused of giving illegal steroids to pro wrestlers. While Hogan admitted to using steroids via a prescription, he said McMahon never asked him to take them and he never purchased them from McMahon.
By that point, Hogan had jumped to rival wrestling promotion WCW, where he later formed the New World Order (nWo) with fellow ex-WWE stars Scott Hall and Kevin Nash. The group became one of the most popular in wrestling history, leading to WCW to beat WWF in television ratings for 83 weeks.
After WWE bought WCW, Hogan, Hall and Nash returned to WWE in 2002.
Nick Hogan, Brooke Hogan, Linda Hogan and Hulk Hogan. WireImage
Donald Trump shaking hands with Hulk Hogan. Getty Images
Hogan’s fame helped him cross over into movies and television. His first major film role came in “Rocky III,” where he portrayed the wrestler Thunderlips, who faced Rocky Balboa in an exhibition.
His other movie appearances include “No Holds Barred” and “Mr. Nanny.”
He was the centerpiece of the “Thunder in Paradise” television show in 1994 and made appearances on “The A-Team” and “Baywatch.”
Sylvester Stallone and Hulk Hogan in a boxing ring scene from *Rocky III*. Getty Images
Hogan and his family were also the subjects of a VH1 reality show, “Hogan Knows Best,” in the mid-2000s.
Born in Augusta, Ga. in 1953, Hogan had two children, Brooke and Nick, with his first wife, Linda.
After Linda filed for divorce in 2007, Hogan married Jennifer McDaniel in 2010. They got divorced in 2022.
Hulk Hogan rips off his shirt at the Republican National Convention on July 18, 2024. Getty Images
Mrs. Love Sponge’s bombshell testimony; My sex tape with Hulk Hogan. csuarez
Hogan then got married to Sky Daily in 2023.
Hogan appeared at the Republican National Convention in July 2024 in support of Donald Trump’s run for president.
His last appearance on WWE programming came during Raw’s Netflix debut on Jan. 6.
This is a breaking news story and will be updated.