The wrestling world is mourning as WWE legend Hulk Hogan, aged 71, reportedly died early Thursday morning at his Florida residence. First responders were called to his Clearwater home following reports of cardiac arrest.
Witnesses say Hogan was carried out on a stretcher and rushed to an ambulance, but efforts to revive him were unsuccessful. TMZ broke the news, revealing medics arrived after a “cardiac arrest” call, with police and emergency personnel seen outside the property.
While rumors had circulated recently about Hogan’s health, his wife, Sky, dismissed concerns, assuring the public that his heart remained “strong” as he recovered from surgery.
Hogan’s influence on professional wrestling and popular culture is undeniable. He transformed wrestling from a niche sport into a global spectacle, attracting families and broad audiences with his charisma and personality.
Despite recent health struggles, he remained a symbol of wrestling’s golden eras, both as an icon and as a complex, multifaceted personality who reshaped the entertainment world.
The former WWE Champion was married from 1983 to July 2009 to Linda Hogan, sharing two children, Brooke and Nick. Hogan then married Jennifer McDaniel in 2010 and separated from her a year later. He went on to marry Sky Daily on Sept. 22, 2023.
Hulk Hogan's legacy and impact:
Born Terry Eugene Bollea on August 11, 1953, in Augusta, Georgia, Hogan’s path to wrestling superstardom was marked by his physique and charisma.
He found success by joining the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) in the early 1980s, launching the phenomenon known as Hulkamania, with his signature catchphrase, “Whatcha gonna do when Hulkamania runs wild on you?”, making wrestling into mainstream entertainment.
In the 1990s, Hogan made headlines by switching from the WWF to World Championship Wrestling (WCW).
His career branched out into films and television. He debuted on the big screen in Rocky III (1982) as Thunderlips, a role that showcased more of his personality.
Hogan also became a reality TV star with Hogan Knows Best (2005), which followed his family life and became VH1’s highest-rated premiere ever, defining a new era of stars.