Wrestling star Hulk Hogan has died at the age of 71.
According to TMZ Sports, medics were called to his home in Clearwater, Florida, on Thursday morning after a report of cardiac arrest. Emergency workers were seen performing chest compressions before taking him to the hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
Hogan, whose real name was Terry Bollea, had been a big figure in both sports and entertainment since the 1980s. He helped bring professional wrestling into the homes of families across America. With his loud personality, red-and-yellow clothes, and famous mustache, he became one of the most well-known wrestlers in the world.
While many shared memories and tributes, not everyone mourned his death. One viral post on social media read, “Raging racist, no tears will be shed.” It referred to a scandal in 2015 when Hogan was recorded making racist remarks. The clip was leaked by Gawker, leading to his removal from the WWE Hall of Fame. Hogan later sued the outlet and won the case.
Wrestling legend who became a pop culture icon and later a political figure
Hogan started his career in wrestling in the late 1970s but became famous in 1984 when he defeated the Iron Sheik to win the World Heavyweight Championship. That victory gave birth to “Hulkamania,” a movement that made him a household name. He later turned into a “bad guy” in 1996 when he created the group “New World Order,” which boosted both his career and the popularity of wrestling even more.
Outside of wrestling, Hogan had a successful acting career. He starred in movies like Rocky III, Mr. Nanny, and Suburban Commando. A Netflix biopic about his life had been in development with Chris Hemsworth attached to star, with Hogan himself endorsing the casting choice. He also had his own reality TV show called Hogan Knows Best, which followed his family life. He had many surgeries over the years due to injuries from wrestling, once saying he had no original body parts left.
Hulk Hogan has died at 71 years old, TMZ reports. pic.twitter.com/0djz8NLUnW
— Pop Crave (@PopCrave) July 24, 2025
In recent years, Hogan made headlines again, not for his work in wrestling, but for his support of Donald Trump. He appeared at the 2024 Republican National Convention and was one of the event’s biggest stars, though his political endorsements sometimes sparked controversy. His speech and presence were loud and dramatic, just like his wrestling days.
Just weeks before his death, Hogan’s wife Sky had denied rumors that he was in a coma, saying he was doing well after recent surgery. His recent WWE appearances had drawn mixed reactions from audiences. He had been preparing for a new wrestling project called Real American Freestyle, which was set to launch in August. Police said they will share more details about Hogan’s death in a press conference later on Thursday.
