WWE Legend Hulk Hogan Dies at 71, Icon of Wrestling and Pop Culture

Hulk Hogan, one of the most iconic figures in professional wrestling history, has died at the age of 71. 

"WWE is saddened to learn WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan has passed away," the company said in an official statement. "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, born Terry Gene Bollea on August 11, 1953, in Augusta, Georgia, reportedly suffered cardiac arrest at his home in Clearwater, Florida. His death came just days after his longtime friend Jimmy Hart had publicly dismissed online rumors about Hogan's health, saying on July 22 that the star was "doing phenomenal."

Standing at 6-foot-7 and weighing over 300 pounds, Hogan began his wrestling career in the late 1970s, initially joining the then-World Wrestling Federation (WWF) in 1979. His early run was brief, but included matches against legends like Andre the Giant. After wrestling in Japan and the American Wrestling Association, Hogan returned to the WWF in 1983, marking the true beginning of "Hulkamania."

With his blond horseshoe mustache, signature bandanas, tear-away shirts, and booming charisma, Hogan became a pop culture phenomenon. His entrance song, "Real American," became synonymous with his All-American hero persona. He captured his first WWF Championship in 1984 by defeating The Iron Sheik, launching a wave of popularity that made him a household name.

Hogan headlined eight of the first nine WrestleMania events, including the unforgettable WrestleMania III in 1987, where he famously body-slammed the 520-pound Andre the Giant before delivering his signature leg drop for the victory. The moment became known as "the bodyslam heard around the world."

Outside the ring, Hogan's stardom extended into film and television. He appeared in Rocky III, No Holds Barred, Suburban Commando, and starred in TV series like Thunder in Paradise and Hogan Knows Best. He was also involved in music, animation voice work, and various business ventures, including Hogan's Beach restaurant and, most recently, Real American Beer and the new wrestling league Real American Freestyle, which Fox Nation had just acquired rights to air three days before his passing.

In 1994, Hogan shocked the wrestling world by joining World Championship Wrestling (WCW), where he eventually turned heel to form the New World Order (nWo) with Scott Hall and Kevin Nash. The nWo storyline reinvigorated his career and revolutionized the wrestling industry. He later returned to WWE (renamed from WWF in 2002) multiple times, most famously clashing with The Rock at WrestleMania X8 in 2002.

Over his career, Hogan held multiple world championships across WWE, WCW, NJPW, and TNA. He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame twice: first in 2005 as an individual, and again in 2020 as a member of the nWo.

However, Hogan's career wasn't without controversy. In 2015, he was embroiled in a racism scandal that led WWE to terminate his contract and remove him from the Hall of Fame. He was reinstated in 2018 after publicly apologizing and reflecting on his actions.

Despite the setbacks, Hogan continued making public appearances, including his final WWE appearance in January 2025 at the Netflix debut of Monday Night Raw in Inglewood, California.

Hogan is widely credited with helping launch the sport into mainstream popularity, selling more tickets than any other performer in wrestling history and inspiring countless fans and future wrestlers around the world. His legacy is defined not only by his dominance in the ring but also by his unforgettable charisma, signature catchphrases like:

“Let me tell you something, brother!” and “Whatcha gonna do when Hulkamania runs wild on you?”

Hogan is survived by two children, Brooke and Nick, whom he shared with his ex-wife, Linda Hogan.