Staff Reports
CLEARWATER, FLORIDA – Terry Gene Bollea, known to the world as Hulk Hogan, passed away on Thursday, July 24, at his home in Clearwater, Florida, at the age of 71. The professional wrestling legend, whose larger-than-life persona defined an era, reportedly suffered a cardiac arrest, according to multiple sources. His death marks the end of a storied career that transformed professional wrestling into a global phenomenon.
Born in Augusta, Georgia, Bollea moved to Tampa, Florida, as a child, where his passion for wrestling ignited at the age of 16. Inspired by icons like Dusty Rhodes and “Superstar” Billy Graham, he began his professional wrestling career in 1977. Joining the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE) in 1979, Bollea adopted the ring name Hulk Hogan, a nod to his towering 6’7” frame and comparisons to the Incredible Hulk. His charismatic “Hulkamania” persona, complete with signature bandanas, blond mustache, and “24-inch pythons,” catapulted wrestling to mainstream fame in the 1980s. Hogan headlined eight of the first nine WrestleManias and held the WWF Championship for a record 1,474 days during the WrestleMania era, alongside six WCW World Heavyweight Championships.
Beyond the ring, Hogan became a pop culture icon, starring in films like Rocky III as Thunderlips and leading reality shows such as Hogan Knows Best. His influence extended to philanthropy, earning him accolades like the 2008 King of the Krewe of Bacchus in New Orleans for his work with Make-A-Wish children and a 2018 induction into the Boys and Girls Club Alumni Hall of Fame.
Hogan’s career was not without controversy, including a 2015 scandal involving racist remarks that led to a temporary WWE dismissal and a high-profile lawsuit against Gawker, resulting in a $31 million settlement. Despite these challenges, he remained a polarizing yet beloved figure, inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame twice—first individually in 2005 and then as part of the New World Order in 2020.
Hogan is survived by his wife, Sky Daily, his children, Brooke and Nick Hogan, stepchildren from Sky’s prior relationships, and his first grandchildren, twins born to Brooke in January 2025. His brother, Allan Bollea, predeceased him in 1986.
WWE released a statement: “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.”
Hogan’s legacy as a wrestling pioneer and cultural icon endures, forever immortalized by the roar of “Hulkamania.”
