Wrestling icon Hulk Hogan — a beloved, larger-than-life figure who defined a generation of sports entertainment — has died at age 71. The star passed away on July 24 after suffering a cardiac arrest at his Clearwater Beach home in Florida.
Emergency responders received a 911 call at 9:51 a.m. on Thursday, July 24, 2025, reporting cardiac arrest at Hogan’s residence. Clearwater Fire & Rescue treated him at the scene before transporting him to Morton Plant Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead—reportedly around 11:17 a.m. Police emphasized the death investigation is standard and that there are “no signs of foul play or suspicious activity.”
In heartbreaking footage that quickly went viral Thursday morning, emergency responders were seen wheeling Hogan — born Terry Gene Bollea down his driveway on a stretcher and into an ambulance. Just over an hour later, he was pronounced dead at Morton Plant Hospital.
The video, which first surfaced on TikTok, was authenticated by authorities, who said the footage was taken legally by bystanders.
A post from X.
WWE confirmed Hogan’s passing with a statement on X:
“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.”
A post from X.
Hogan’s health had been a growing concern in recent years. The wrestling legend had undergone at least 25 surgeries over the past decade, including multiple spinal fusions, hip and knee replacements, and, most recently, a complex cervical procedure in May. Still, as recently as February, Hogan had said on the IMPAULSIVE podcast that he’d been cleared for light workouts.
With the viral video came a wave of misinformation. Conspiracy theories quickly spread online, including claims that Hogan died during surgery months ago or that the footage was digitally altered. Neither claim holds any truth.
The original video was recorded on an iPhone and analyzed by multiple media outlets, who found no evidence of manipulation. Hogan’s wife, Sky Daily, had also recently denied rumors that he had been brain-dead in May.
Fans are urged to be cautious when sharing emotional content and to rely on trusted sources for updates. As Sky shared in a brief statement, “We ask for respect and privacy as we grieve this profound loss.”
Few names are more synonymous with professional wrestling than Hulk Hogan. Hogan helped catapult WWE into global fame during the 1980s and ’90s with his signature bandana, handlebar mustache, and booming charisma.
A six-time WWE Champion and six-time WCW World Champion, Hogan headlined eight WrestleMania main events and was the most in-demand performer of wrestling’s golden era. One of his most iconic moments came in 1987 when he bodyslammed André the Giant in front of over 93,000 fans at WrestleMania III.
But Hogan’s legacy extended far beyond the ring. He appeared in Rocky III, starred in the hit reality series Hogan Knows Best, and built a merchandising empire that included everything from action figures to vitamins.
His name, for better or worse, also made headlines in later years due to a leaked sex tape and a racially charged rant that led to his temporary dismissal from WWE in 2015. The company reinstated him in 2018.
In the hours following the news, tributes poured in from the wrestling world. Ric Flair, a longtime friend and rival, posted,
“Hulk has been by my side since we started in the wrestling business. Rest in peace my friend!”
AEW’s Tony Schiavone wrote,
“Say what you will about Hulk Hogan, but his impact on professional wrestling is undeniable. RIP, Hulkster. The end of an era.”
In his final social media appearance, Hogan posted a promotional video endorsing Real American Beer, drinking from a can while declaring: “Real American beer, made in America, by real Americans… Get some, brother. That’s America, brother.”
Fans gathered outside Hogan’s Hangout, his popular bar in Clearwater, leaving behind flowers, replica title belts, and yellow feather boas. WWE also announced a two-hour primetime special, Remembering Hulk Hogan, on July 29.
Born in Augusta, Georgia, and raised in Florida, Hogan was a former bassist in a Tampa rock band before breaking into wrestling in the late ’70s. Standing 6’8” and weighing over 300 pounds, he was a promoter’s dream.
The all-American hero in red and yellow or the rebellious “Hollywood Hogan” in WCW’s New World Order, Hogan remained a lightning rod for attention, admiration — and sometimes controversy.
Most recently, Hogan made headlines at the 2024 Republican National Convention, where he tore off a Hogan shirt to reveal a “TRUMPAMANIA” tank top. This moment lit up social media and divided fans.
But for millions of fans, he was more than just a wrestler. He was a childhood hero, a pop culture icon, and a symbol of belief in something larger than life.
Fans grapple with losing a legend, and experts remind us to prioritize our emotional well-being. WWE has opened a memorial Discord channel, and charities Hogan once supported — like Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals — are seeing a surge in donations.
Rest in power, Hulkster.
