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Terry Gene Bollea—known to millions worldwide as Hulk Hogan—passed away on July 24, 2025, at his home in Clearwater, Florida. He was 71. Emergency responders were called to his residence for a cardiac arrest, and he was transported to Morton Plant Hospital, where he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.
The official cause of death was acute myocardial infarction, more commonly known as a heart attack. Medical reports later revealed that Hogan had been privately battling chronic lymphocytic leukemia, a slow-progressing form of blood cancer, as well as atrial fibrillation, a heart rhythm disorder. These conditions had not been publicly disclosed during his lifetime.
Medical reports later revealed that Hogan had been privately battling chronic lymphocytic leukemia, a slow-progressing form of blood cancer, as well as atrial fibrillation, a heart rhythm disorder.
Hogan was one of the most transformative figures in professional wrestling history. Towering at 6 feet 7 inches, with his trademark handlebar moustache, red and yellow gear, and booming charisma, he became the face of the wrestling boom of the 1980s. His “Hulkamania” persona brought professional wrestling into the mainstream, helping the World Wrestling Federation, now WWE, capture global attention. He headlined multiple WrestleMania events, held the WWE Championship six times, and built a persona that transcended the sport.
Beyond the squared circle, Hogan built a prolific entertainment career. He appeared in films such as Rocky III, Mr. Nanny, and Suburban Commando, starred in the reality TV series Hogan Knows Best, and launched various business ventures. In 2025, he co-founded a new wrestling promotion, Real American Freestyle, where he served as commissioner until his death.
In the months leading up to his passing, Hogan faced health challenges. He underwent neck surgery in May, and reports suggested that complications affected his mobility. Despite his wife’s public optimism about his recovery, his sudden death shocked fans and colleagues around the world.
Tributes poured in from across the wrestling community. WWE honored him with a ten-bell salute and a tribute video during Monday Night Raw. Friends, former rivals, and industry peers remembered him as a trailblazer whose influence extended far beyond the ring. His son Nick participated in a tribute at WWE SummerSlam 2025, visibly moved as he spoke about his father’s impact.
Hogan’s cultural importance was underscored when the governor of Florida declared August 1, 2025, as “Hulk Hogan Day,” with flags at the state capitol flown at half-mast in his honor. The proclamation recognized not only his athletic accomplishments but also his role as a global ambassador for professional wrestling.
His personal life was as high-profile as his career, filled with both triumphs and controversies. He weathered scandals, legal battles, and public scrutiny, including a widely publicized lawsuit in which he won a massive judgment that changed the landscape of media law. He was briefly removed from the WWE Hall of Fame before being reinstated, and in later years became a polarizing figure for his political stances.
Hogan is survived by his wife, his two children, and his extended family. To his fans, he was more than an athlete—he was a symbol of an era.
His influence inspired a generation of wrestlers and helped shape the modern entertainment spectacle of wrestling as it exists today.
As the wrestling world mourns, his legacy remains firmly embedded in the sport’s history. Hulk Hogan’s name will always be linked to the golden age of wrestling, his image etched into the memories of millions who once chanted his name as Hulkamania ran wild. He embodied a larger-than-life energy, delivering countless moments that stirred stadiums full of cheering fans.