Wrestling icon Hulk Hogan, born Terry Gene Bollea, tragically passed away at the age of 71 on Thursday, July 24, 2025. Emergency responders were dispatched to his Clearwater, Florida, home early that morning following a 911 call reporting a cardiac arrest. Multiple police vehicles and ambulances were observed outside the residence, where Hogan was seen being transported on a stretcher to a waiting ambulance. Despite efforts to save him, the WWE Hall of Famer did not survive.
Hogan, a towering figure in professional wrestling, transformed the industry in the 1980s and 1990s with his larger-than-life persona, signature red-and-yellow gear, and charismatic catchphrases like “Whatcha gonna do, brother?” His influence helped propel WWE (then WWF) from a regional promotion to a global phenomenon, ushering in the era of “Hulkamania.” He won six WWE championships and headlined numerous WrestleMania events, with iconic matches against opponents like Andre the Giant, The Rock, and Randy Savage. In 1996, Hogan reinvented himself as the villainous “Hollywood Hogan,” leading the New World Order (NWO) in WCW, a move that revolutionized wrestling’s storytelling and popularity.
Beyond the ring, Hogan was a pop culture staple, starring in films like *Rocky III* and *No Holds Barred*, and the reality show *Hogan Knows Best* alongside his family. His career was not without controversy, including a 2015 scandal involving racist remarks that led to a temporary removal from the WWE Hall of Fame. However, he was reinstated in 2020 as part of the NWO’s induction, having previously been honored in 2005 for his individual contributions.
Hogan’s health had been a concern in recent years, with over 25 surgeries, including a neck procedure in May 2025. Just weeks before his passing, his wife, Sky Daily, whom he married in 2023, publicly denied rumors that he was in a coma, insisting his heart was “strong” as he recovered from recent medical procedures. Despite these assurances, Hogan’s condition took a tragic turn.
He is survived by his wife, Sky Daily, his children, Brooke and Nick, from his first marriage to Linda Claridge, and his grandchildren, Oliver and Molly. Hogan’s legacy as a wrestling pioneer and cultural icon endures, leaving an indelible mark on fans worldwide who grew up chanting his name and emulating his shirt-ripping theatrics. His passing marks the end of an era for professional wrestling, but his impact will live on in the hearts of “Hulkamaniacs” everywhere.
