Terry Gene Bollea, better known to millions around the world as Hulk Hogan, has died at the age of 71. The wrestling legend passed away on the morning of July 24, 2025, at his home in Clearwater, Florida. According to police and emergency dispatch reports, authorities responded to a 911 call at 9:51 a.m., citing cardiac arrest.
Hogan was rushed to Morton Plant Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. No signs of foul play were found, and the sombre confirmation of his passing marked the end of an era, not just for professional wrestling, but for American pop culture as a whole.
The news of his death sparked a massive global outpouring of grief. WWE released a statement mourning the loss of one of its most iconic figures, calling him “a global icon and one of the most recognisable entertainers of all time.”
Fellow wrestling legends like Ric Flair, The Undertaker, and Triple H, along with high-profile figures such as Sylvester Stallone and Donald Trump, expressed heartfelt condolences and recounted how Hogan had impacted their lives and careers. Social media platforms lit up with tributes from fans and wrestlers alike. To many, Hogan wasn’t just a wrestler; he was a childhood hero, an action figure brought to life, a living embodiment of courage, charisma, and showmanship.
Hulk Hogan Early Life
Born on August 11, 1953, in Augusta, Georgia, and raised in Tampa, Florida, Terry Bollea’s journey to stardom was as improbable as it was spectacular. Initially a musician and baseball hopeful, Hogan discovered professional wrestling in his early 20s. He trained under Hiro Matsuda, who famously broke his leg during their first session to test his resolve. Hogan came back undeterred and soon began making waves in various wrestling territories across the U.S.
His towering frame, bulging biceps, and undeniable charisma set him apart. But it was in December 1983, upon joining Vince McMahon’s World Wrestling Federation (WWF), that Hulk Hogan, now clad in red and yellow, with a trademark bandana and the catchphrase “Whatcha gonna do when Hulkamania runs wild on you?” was born.
What followed was nothing short of revolutionary. Hogan became the face of professional wrestling’s golden era, headlining the inaugural WrestleMania in 1985 alongside Mr. T in a match that drew over a million viewers through closed-circuit television. Hulkamania quickly swept across America and beyond, turning Hogan into a household name. His physique, magnetism, and superhero persona, complete with values like saying your prayers, taking your vitamins, and believing in yourself, resonated with kids and adults alike.
Over the course of his career, Hogan held the WWF Championship five times, with one reign lasting an unprecedented 1,474 days. He became the first wrestler to win back-to-back Royal Rumble matches in 1990 and 1991 and set a ratings record in 1988 when his televised match against André the Giant drew a staggering 33 million viewers. He took part in some of the most iconic rivalries in wrestling history, facing off against legends like “Macho Man” Randy Savage, The Ultimate Warrior, and later, The Rock in an unforgettable bout at WrestleMania X8.
In 1996, Hogan stunned the world again by turning heel, abandoning his heroic persona to embrace a villainous new character, “Hollywood” Hogan, and co-founding the nWo (New World Order) with Scott Hall and Kevin Nash in WCW. The move was as daring as it was brilliant. It reinvigorated his career and helped propel WCW past the WWF in television ratings for 83 consecutive weeks during the famed Monday Night Wars. Hogan had once again transformed the industry, proving that he was not just a relic of the past, but a master of reinvention.
Hulk Hogan’s Diverse Career
Outside the squared circle, Hogan found success in Hollywood, beginning with his scene-stealing role as Thunderlips in Rocky III opposite Sylvester Stallone. He went on to star in a string of family-oriented action films, including No Holds Barred, Suburban Commando, and Mr. Nanny. His appeal extended to television as well, with the reality series Hogan Knows Best, which aired on VH1 from 2005 to 2007 and featured his then-wife Linda and children Brooke and Nick. Though the show offered fans an intimate glimpse into his private life, it also exposed fractures in the Hogan household, culminating in a highly publicised divorce from Linda in 2009.
Hogan’s personal life was marked by both triumph and controversy. In 2015, he was embroiled in a scandal after racially insensitive remarks he had made years earlier came to light through a leaked sex tape. WWE swiftly cut ties with him, removing him from the Hall of Fame and disassociating from his legacy. The backlash was swift and brutal, but Hogan apologised publicly, saying he had grown from the experience. After three years of exile, WWE reinstated him in 2018, and he gradually regained his place in the public eye.
In 2016, Hogan made legal history when he won a $140 million lawsuit against Gawker Media over that same sex tape, citing invasion of privacy. The case set a precedent in media law and effectively bankrupted Gawker. It also reaffirmed Hogan’s resilience in the face of adversity, showing that even when battered and bloodied, figuratively or literally, he would never back down from a fight.
In his later years, Hogan focused on personal healing and entrepreneurship. He underwent more than 20 surgeries to repair the damage accumulated from decades in the ring, including recent spinal and neck procedures. He also married for a third time in 2023 to Sky Daily, a yoga instructor. In 2024, he launched “Real American Beer,” his own beverage brand, and in early 2025, he helped launch “Real American Freestyle,” an independent wrestling promotion where he served as commissioner. It was his way of giving back to the industry that had given him everything, and of inspiring a new generation of wrestlers.
Reactions to Hulk Hogan’s death were as powerful as the man himself. Ric Flair, a longtime friend and rival, called him “a brother” and praised his unmatched ability to light up a room or a stadium. WWE legend The Undertaker said Hogan made wrestling global, while Sylvester Stallone described him as “larger than life in every way.” Even Donald Trump, who shared the WrestleMania stage with Hogan during their respective reality TV heydays, paid tribute by calling him “the ultimate showman” and a “true American hero.”
Fans Pay Homage To A Wrestling Icon
Fans from every corner of the globe expressed their grief. Many posted childhood photos wearing Hulkamania shirts or holding action figures, while others recounted how Hogan helped them believe in themselves during tough times. The slogan “Train, say your prayers, and take your vitamins” became a rallying cry once more, this time as a tribute to the man who first made it iconic.
Hulk Hogan’s impact on wrestling and entertainment is impossible to overstate. He was the first true crossover star in professional wrestling, helping launch WrestleMania into a global spectacle and turning the WWF (now WWE) into a media juggernaut. He wasn’t just part of wrestling history; he was the reason wrestling had history. He elevated it from niche sport to mainstream phenomenon, blending sport, spectacle, and storytelling into one unforgettable package.
As we reflect on the life and times of Hulk Hogan, Hivisasa Africa is reminded of his unmatched ability to connect with audiences, his fearless embrace of reinvention, and his resilience in the face of both public adoration and criticism. He was a man of contradictions, a superhero and an antihero, an idol and an outcast, but in every chapter of his life, he remained compelling. His story is not just that of a wrestler, but of a cultural force who defined an era and influenced generations.
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