CLEARWATER, Fla. — Wrestling icon and pop culture giant Hulk Hogan has passed away at the age of 71, Florida police and the WWE confirmed Thursday.
Authorities responded to a call Thursday morning regarding cardiac arrest at Hogan’s home in Clearwater.
Police said he was later pronounced dead at a local hospital.
Afternoon report:
Hogan, whose real name was Terry Bollea, was perhaps the biggest star in WWE’s long history.
He was the main draw for the first WrestleMania in 1985 and was a fixture for years, facing everyone from Andre The Giant and Randy Savage to The Rock and even company chairman Vince McMahon.
He won 12 heavyweight championships during his career and was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005.
Hogan was also a celebrity outside the wrestling world, appearing in numerous movies and television shows, including a reality show about his life on VH1, “Hogan Knows Best.”
He was also cast as Thunderlips alongside Sylvester Stallone in Rocky III.
In 2016, a Florida jury awarded Hogan $115 million in his sex tape lawsuit against Gawker Media.
Hogan sued after Gawker in 2012 posted a video of him having sex with his former best friend’s wife. Hogan contended the post violated his privacy.
WWE posted a note on X saying it was saddened to learn the WWE Hall of Famer had passed away.
“One of pop culture’s most recognizable figures, Hogan helped WWE achieve global recognition in the 1980s. WWE extends its condolences to Hogan’s family, friends, and fans,” it said.
Former WWE CEO Vince McMahon also took to social media Thursday for a rare public comment on the death of his former top star.
— Vince McMahon (@VinceMcMahon) July 24, 2025
Hogan is survived by his wife, Sky Daily, daughter, Brooke, and his son, Nick.
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