Professional wrestling legend Hulk Hogan has died at the age of 71 after suffering a cardiac arrest at his Florida home, according to TMZ Sports.
Emergency services were called to the Clearwater residence shortly before 10am on Thursday. Clearwater Fire & Rescue responded quickly, with several police vehicles and ambulances seen at the scene. Hogan was taken to a nearby hospital on a stretcher, where doctors later confirmed his death. Authorities are expected to share further details during a press briefing later in the day.
The news follows recent reports about Hogan’s declining health, which had been publicly denied by his wife, Sky. She had insisted he was recovering well from recent surgeries and that his heart was strong. Hogan had undergone a neck operation in May, which had sparked concern among fans.
Born Terry Bollea, Hogan became a global superstar in the 1980s, after defeating the Iron Sheik to win the World Heavyweight Championship. The victory sparked “Hulkamania,” turning him into a cultural icon. Known for his red-and-yellow gear, handlebar moustache, and crowd-pleasing energy, Hogan inspired millions.
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In 1996, he transformed his image by joining the New World Order (NWO) as “Hollywood Hogan,” a move that helped redefine professional wrestling.
He headlined countless legendary matches, most famously against Andre the Giant at WrestleMania III and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson at WrestleMania X8.
Hogan was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame twice — first in 2005, and again in 2020 as part of the NWO.
Outside the ring, Hogan appeared in numerous films and TV shows, including Rocky III and Hogan Knows Best. He also battled health issues from years of in-ring injuries but remained active, recently launching an amateur wrestling league and appearing at political events.