Hulk HoganWrestling legend Hulk Hogan has died aged 71, his representative Linda Bose has confirmed.
He reportedly suffered a cardiac arrest in his home in Clearwater, Florida, TMZ reported.
Born Terry Bollea in 1953, Hogan is arguably the most famous name in professional wrestling history and was the face of the industry throughout the 1980s and 1990s.
Known for his red and yellow outfits, handlebar moustache and iconic “Real American” entrance music, he transformed the sport into a mainstream entertainment phenomenon.
He debuted in 1977 and wrestled well into his 50s - becoming 12-time world champion while at it.
His career spanned decades and included multiple returns to the WWE, where he headlined some of the most memorable events in wrestling history.
He first joined the then-World Wrestling Federation (WWF) in 1979, though he left briefly in 1981.
When he returned, the company - and the sport - was never the same again.
Hogan helped propel WWF’s flagship event, WrestleMania, into a global sensation.
He made a headline appearance at the first WrestleMania in New York in 1985, teaming with Mr T to defeat Paul Orndorff and Roddy Piper.
One of his most iconic matches came at WrestleMania V in Atlantic City, where “The Mega Powers explode” saw Hogan take on his former tag team partner “Macho Man” Randy Savage for the World Heavyweight Championship — a match Hogan won.
The following year, in Toronto, he lost to the Intercontinental Champion, Ultimate Warrior, in a rare title-for-title bout, marking his first defeat since 1981.
He also clashed with The Rock at WrestleMania in 2002, a generational showdown that marked the end of an era.
His final WWE match came at SummerSlam 2006, where he defeated Randy Orton, then dubbed “The Legend Killer.”
Outside the ring, Hogan crossed into mainstream entertainment, starring alongside Sylvester Stallone in the 1982 film Rocky III, and later appearing in movies like Mr Nanny and Suburban Commando.
He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005, and again in 2020 as part of the NWO, the renegade faction that helped define the Monday Night Wars of the '90s.
However, Hogan’s legacy was marred by controversy.
In 2015, he was ejected from the WWE Hall of Fame and had his contract terminated after a leaked tape captured him using a racist slur.
The remarks effectively ended his relationship with WWE for several years until 2018 when the company reinstated him, calling it a second chance.
However, some stars — including Titus O’Neil and The New Day — said it would be “difficult to simply forget” what he had said.
Hogan made a one-off return to WWE on the first episode of Raw to stream on Netflix in January 2025, but was booed by fans.
The reception was repeated during his most recent appearance on Monday Night Raw, where he promoted his own beer brand.
In his later years after leaving the ring, Hogan made appearances on the US political campaign trail, including at rallies for Donald Trump.
Behind the scenes, he struggled with health issues.
In an interview last year with YouTuber and wrestler Logan Paul, Hogan revealed he had undergone around 25 operations in the past decade alone.
“I’ve had like 25 surgeries in the last 10 years; 10 back surgeries, both knees and both hips replaced, shoulders – everything,” he said.
In May this year, it was widely reported that he had undergone neck surgery.
Despite the controversies and physical decline, many within the wrestling world and beyond are mourning his passing.
“R.I.P to a legend,” President Donald Trump wrote on X.
Vice President, JD Vance, posted: “The last time I saw him we promised we’d get beers together next time we saw each other. The next time will have to be on the other side, my friend! Rest in peace.”
Wrestling great Ric Flair said he was “absolutely shocked” to hear of Hogan’s death.
“Hulkster, no one will ever compare to you. Rest in peace my friend,” he wrote.
In a statement, the World Wrestling Entertainment said it was “saddened to learn WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan has passed away,” adding that he had helped WWE achieve global recognition in the 1980s.
“WWE extends its condolences to Hogan’s family, friends, and fans.”
Hulk Hogan shared two children, daughter Brooke and son Nick, with his ex-wife, Linda Hogan.
The family of four starred on the reality TV series Hogan Knows Best from 2005 to 2007.
Linda and Hulk were married from 1983 to 2009.
He later married Sky Daily in September 2023, and became a stepfather to her three children.
Despite the controversies that surrounded him, Hogan will likely be best remembered for his biggest moments in the ring in the eyes of millions of devoted fans who once proudly called themselves Hulkamaniacs.
