Wrestling legend Hulk Hogan has died at the age of 71.
The WWE icon - real name Terry Gene Bollea - passed away early Thursday morning after medics were called to his home in Clearwater, Florida, according to TMZ.
Emergency dispatchers said the call was in response to a suspected cardiac arrest.
Hogan’s cause of death has not been disclosed.
In May, his spokesperson told TMZ that he had undergone “a little fusion procedure” on his neck.
“He just needs from time to time a medical check up,” a representative for the star told The Independent at the time, assuring fans that the surgery had “indeed been successful,” and there are “no reasons to panic.”
Meanwhile, his wife, Sky Daily, had additionally denied rumours that he was in a coma after the surgeries, insisting that his heart was “strong.”
The larger-than-life wrestling superstar helped transform professional wrestling into a global entertainment phenomenon.
With his trademark handlebar mustache, red-and-yellow ring gear, and catchphrases like “Whatcha gonna do, brother?”, Hogan became one of the most recognised and beloved figures in sports entertainment history.
His career spanned over four decades and included 12 world championship titles, appearances in major films and television shows, and two inductions into the WWE Hall of Fame.
Hogan catapulted to fame in the 1980s when he became the face of Vince McMahon’s expanding World Wrestling Federation (now WWE).
He headlined the first nine WrestleMania events, including his unforgettable 1987 showdown with André the Giant at WrestleMania III, witnessed by over 93,000 fans.
"Hulkamania" swept the globe, turning Hogan into an international icon and household name.
Outside the ring, Hogan crossed into pop culture with film roles in Rocky III, Suburban Commando, and the TV series Thunder in Paradise, as well as starring in the VH1 reality series Hogan Knows Best.
Despite facing personal and legal controversies later in life, including a high-profile lawsuit against Gawker Media and a temporary fallout with WWE, Hogan made multiple comebacks and remained a revered figure among fans and peers.
His personal life was just as eventful with Hogan married three times, first to Linda Bollea from 1993 to 2009. The former couple had two children, Brooke and Nick.
He married Jennifer McDaniel in 2010 but they filed for divorce in October 2011 after 11 years of marriage.
Hogan is survived by Daily and his two children.
To millions around the world, Hulk Hogan wasn’t just a character, he was a hero, a symbol of strength and a part of childhood memories spanning generations.
“Say your prayers, take your vitamins, and believe in yourself” was the mantra of Hulkamania. Terry Bollea lived it and in doing so, changed the world of entertainment forever.
