Terry Gene Bollea – globally recognised as Hulk Hogan – died at 71 after suffering a cardiac arrest at his Clearwater home.
Emergency responders arrived at 9:51 a.m., performed CPR for over 30 minutes before transporting him to Morton Plant Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 11:17 a.m.
Hogan was reportedly surrounded by family in his final moments. Authorities confirmed no foul play; his death was ruled a routine medical incident.
Beginnings of a Phenomenon: Early life and entry into wrestling
Born on August 11, 1953, in Augusta, Georgia, Hogan was raised in Tampa, Florida. Early on, he mixed music and athletics – forming a regional band named Ruckus in 1976 – until legendary wrestlers Jack and Jerry Brisco encouraged him to compete in the ring. He debuted in 1977 with the American Wrestling Association.
The Hulkamania era: Dominating the 1980s
After signing with the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE) in December 1983, Hogan’s heroic “all-American” persona ignited the age of “Hulkamania.” He clinched his first WWF Championship in January 1984, defeating The Iron Sheik, as a new era in sports entertainment was officially launched.
He headlined eight of the first nine WrestleManias — events 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 — becoming the face of a global wrestling boom.
His legendary match with André the Giant in The Main Event on February 5, 1988, still holds U.S. television records with a 15.2 Nielsen rating and 33 million viewers.
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Across his early WWE run, Hogan held five WWF Championship titles and became the first wrestler to win back-to-back Royal Rumble matches in 1990 and 1991. His 1,474-day reign remains the longest of the WrestleMania era.
Reinvention: Hollywood Hogan, NWO, and WCW
In 1996, Hogan abruptly turned heel and launched the infamous New World Order (nWo) in WCW — reigniting his career and helping WCW challenge the WWF during the Monday Night Wars.
Controversy and resurgence
While Hogan faced legal and personal turmoil — most notably a privacy lawsuit over a leaked sex tape against Gawker resulting in a $140 million verdict, and a public firing from WWE in 2015 due to racist remarks—he eventually apologized and was reinstated to the WWE Hall of Fame in 2018 (initially inducted in 2005).
Later Years: Health battles and new ventures
Hogan openly discussed undergoing 25 surgeries over the past decade — including ten back surgeries plus replacements to his knees, hips, and shoulders. Following a May 2025 neck surgery, rumours circulated that he was near death. However, his representative dismissed them, emphasising his ongoing recovery and that there was “no reason to panic.”
He also launched new business ventures. In 2025, Hogan co-founded a wrestling promotion called Real American Freestyle, aimed at elevating collegiate and Olympic wrestlers while continuing his brand “Real American” brewery initiative.
Death and enduring legacy
On July 24, 2025, Hogan passed away after cardiac arrest at age 71. WWE, Ric Flair, Triple H, and other luminaries paid tribute, celebrating his transformative role in wrestling and pop culture.
Survived by his wife Sky (married 2023), children Brooke (37) and Nick (34), and two grandchildren, Hogan’s family asked for privacy during their grief.
Why Hogan forever matters
- – Cultural Icon: Hogan transformed professional wrestling into mainstream entertainment.
- – Championship Trailblazer: His lengthy title reigns and first consecutive Royal Rumbles cemented his standing.
- – TV Milestone: The André match remains one of the most-watched non-sports TV broadcasts ever.
- – Reinvention Master: His career revival through nWo showed unparalleled longevity.
- – Entrepreneur & Advocate: From reality TV to political endorsements, Hogan’s reach crossed industries.
Final ring bell
From his early days in Georgia to global superstardom with Hulkamania, from controversies to dramatic comebacks, Terry Bollea’s journey was spectacular and complex.
Tags: Hulk Hogan, cardiac arrest, WWE, WWF, Terry Gene Bollea, Donald Trump, André the Giant, Fox & Friends, Sky, Linda Claridge.
