Wrestling legend Hulk Hogan has died at the age of 71 following cardiac arrest, WWE confirmed Thursday. Known for his towering presence and iconic catchphrases, Hogan was instrumental in making professional wrestling a global entertainment force.
The world of professional wrestling is mourning the loss of one of its most legendary figures, Terry Bollea, better known by millions around the world as Hulk Hogan, who passed away on Thursday, July 25, at the age of 71.
The World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) confirmed the news, stating that Hogan died from cardiac arrest. Emergency services responded to a medical emergency at his home in Clearwater, Florida, and he was later pronounced dead at Morton Plant Hospital.
“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,” the company said in an official statement.
Hogan’s legacy is etched into the foundation of sports entertainment. With his “24-inch pythons”, signature handlebar mustache, and rallying catchphrases like “say your prayers and eat your vitamins,” he embodied the flamboyant energy that made professional wrestling a worldwide phenomenon.
From the early 1980s through the 1990s, Hogan was the face of wrestling’s “Golden Era,” headlining WrestleMania events and building unforgettable rivalries with the likes of André the Giant, “Rowdy” Roddy Piper, and “Macho Man” Randy Savage.
He was also the central figure in the WWE’s massive mainstream success, bridging the gap between sports and entertainment. His transition into film and TV further cemented his status as a global icon.
But his career wasn’t without controversy. In 2015, a leaked recording surfaced in which Hogan used racially offensive language, prompting widespread backlash and his removal from WWE programming. Though later reinstated to the WWE Hall of Fame, the incident cast a long shadow over his legacy.
Hogan was also at the center of the landmark legal battle Bollea v. Gawker, where he sued the media company for publishing parts of a private sex tape. He was awarded $140 million in damages, leading to Gawker’s bankruptcy and changing the landscape of digital media privacy.
Despite these setbacks, Hogan remained a revered figure among wrestling fans, particularly those who grew up idolizing his powerful persona and indomitable charisma. His contributions to building the WWE into a global entertainment juggernaut are unquestionable.
Born in Augusta, Georgia, in 1953, Terry Bollea began his wrestling career in the late 1970s before rising to global stardom in Vince McMahon’s WWF (now WWE). He later joined WCW in the 1990s, where he reinvented himself as a heel in the notorious nWo (New World Order) faction.
Today, tributes are pouring in from across the wrestling world and beyond. Fans, athletes, celebrities, and former colleagues are remembering Hogan as a showman, a trailblazer, and a titan of the squared circle.
WWE, along with fans across the globe, has extended heartfelt condolences to Hogan’s family, friends, and supporters.
