Terry Gene Bollea, famously known as Hulk Hogan, passed away on July 24, 2025, at the age of 71. The wrestling icon passed away after suffering a cardiac arrest at his residence in Clearwater Beach, Florida.
Emergency services rushed to the scene, but despite their best efforts, he was declared dead at a nearby hospital. There were no signs of foul play. Reports confirmed that medical help arrived quickly and CPR was performed for almost 30 minutes, but Hogan could not be revived.
A Giant in Wrestling History
Hulk Hogan was born on August 11, 1953, in Augusta, Georgia, and grew up in Florida. He started his wrestling career in the late 1970s, but it was during the 1980s that he became a global superstar.
Dressed in his signature red and yellow attire, Hogan rose to become the face of WWE (then known as WWF), captivating fans with his booming voice and famous catchphrases like “Whatcha gonna do when Hulkamania runs wild on you?”, and his muscular image turned him into a household name.
He headlined many major wrestling events, including eight of the first nine WrestleManias, and faced legends like André the Giant, Macho Man Randy Savage, The Ultimate Warrior, and The Rock.
Championships and Achievements
- 6-time WWE Champion
- 6 WCW World Heavyweight Champion
- WWE World Tag Team Championship
- Headlined WrestleMania 8 times
Inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame twice
- 2005 (as an individual)
- 2020 (as part of the group New World Order nWo)
Hogan played a huge role in turning professional wrestling into a billion-dollar global industry. He was known as the man who brought wrestling into the mainstream media.
Life Outside the Ring
- Acted in movies like “Rocky III”, “Suburban Commando”, and others.
- He featured in the reality TV show “Hogan Knows Best,” which focused on his life with his family.
- Was a well-known public figure for more than 40 years.
In 2023, he married Sky Daily, his third wife. From his previous marriage to Linda Claridge, he had two children, Brooke and Nick. Earlier this year, he launched a new wrestling league called Real American Freestyle, which focused on real and unscripted matches.
A Complicated Legacy
Hulk Hogan was not without controversy. In 2015, a leaked video involving racist remarks led to his temporary removal from WWE. However, he later issued an apology and was welcomed back by the company. Despite personal and legal troubles, Hogan’s contributions to wrestling remained respected by fans and peers.
Tributes from the Wrestling World and Beyond
- WWE called him “one of the greatest ever.”
- Wrestlers like Ric Flair, The Undertaker, Triple H, and John Cena shared emotional messages.
- Donald Trump, a longtime friend, praised Hogan’s loyalty and charisma.
- Even celebrities like Sylvester Stallone and Arjun Kapoor mourned his death, remembering his influence on pop culture.
Conclusion
Hulk Hogan’s career spanned more than four decades. He was more than just a wrestler, he was a hero to millions, a global icon, and a major force in building WWE into the entertainment giant it is today.
Even though he’s no longer with us, Hulk Hogan’s legacy will live on forever. His message of strength, determination, and positivity lives on in the hearts of fans around the world. “Train hard, say your prayers, eat your vitamins, and believe in yourself.” – Hulk Hogan – Rest in peace, Hulkster. You ran wild on us all, and we’ll never forget it.
Written by Kinjal Walantra
