Legendary wrestler Hulk Hogan has passed away at the age of 71, the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) confirmed on Thursday, Afrosport reports.
Hulk Hogan, whose real name is Terry Bollea, suffered a cardiac arrest at his home in Clearwater, Florida. According to reports, medics rushed to the scene early Thursday but were unsuccessful in their attempt to revive him, and he was pronounced dead shortly after.
“WWE is saddened to learn WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan has passed away,” the organisation wrote in a social media post. “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.”
Hogan was more than just a wrestler—he was the most recognisable figure in the 1980s era of the WWE. He headlined eight of the first nine WrestleMania events and famously body-slammed André the Giant in front of 93,000 fans at WrestleMania III.
He was a pop-culture phenomenon, with a trademark blonde moustache, bandanas, and remarkable charisma, which endeared him to fans and captured the spectacle of wrestling entertainment.
A six-time WWE Champion and two-time Royal Rumble winner, Hogan’s influence extended far beyond the ring. He held the WWE heavyweight championship belt for a period of 1,474 days, and only Bruno Sammartino and Bob Backlund enjoyed a longer reign.
He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame twice—first in 2005 as an individual and again in 2020 with the celebrated New World Order faction. Hogan is survived by his wife, Sky Daily, and his children Brooke and Nick.
Tributes have poured in from across the sporting world, including WWE giants Ric Flair, Vince McMahon, Randy “The Undertaker” and Triple H, all recalling Hogan’s unwavering friendship and impact.
Ric Flair, wrote on X: “I am absolutely shocked to hear about the passing of my close friend @HulkHogan! Hulk has been by my side since we started in the wrestling business.
“An incredible athlete, talent, friend, and father!”
McMahon wrote on X after Hogan’s death: “The world lost a treasure today. Hulk Hogan was the greatest WWE Superstar of ALL TIME, someone who was loved and admired around the world… He leaves us with one of his favourite expressions, ‘Train, take your vitamins and say your prayers.’ Today, we pray for him.”
— Vince McMahon (@VinceMcMahon) July 24, 2025
The Undertaker wrote on X: “The wrestling world has lost a true legend. His contributions to our business are immeasurable and for that I am appreciative. Thank you, Hulk Hogan.”
The wrestling world has lost a true legend. His contributions to our business are immeasurable and for that I am appreciative.
Thank you, Hulk Hogan. pic.twitter.com/aV4gdTcq4S
— Undertaker (@undertaker) July 24, 2025
Former WWE star Triple H wrote on social media: “He was the archetype of what it meant to be a ‘Superstar’ – a global sensation that inspired millions to work hard at whatever it was they wanted to accomplish and a look that made him recognizable to fans around the world.”
WWE would not be where it is today without the larger-than-life characters that compete in the ring … and few, if any, loomed larger than Terry “Hulk Hogan” Bollea.
He was the archetype of what it meant to be a “Superstar” – a global sensation that inspired millions to work… pic.twitter.com/wXpgFvAhHA
— Triple H (@TripleH) July 24, 2025
