Wrestling Legend Hulk Hogan Dies at 71
Perry Prada — July 24, 2025
Globally beloved as Hulk Hogan — passed away on Thursday morning at 71, succumbing to cardiac arrest at his Clearwater Beach home. Emergency crews responded to a 911 call at 9:51 a.m. ET, performed CPR for over 30 minutes, but Hogan was pronounced dead at Morton Plant Hospital at 11:17 a.m., authorities confirmed. Police have ruled out any signs of foul play, and an investigation is ongoing
Career That Redefined Wrestling
Born on August 11, 1953, Hogan began wrestling in 1977 but achieved global fame after signing with the WWF (now WWE) in 1983. His charismatic persona and signature lines like “Whatcha gonna do…” ushered in the era of “Hulkamania”, turning pro wrestling into a global phenomenon. He became a multiple-time world champion, headlined early WrestleMania events, and helped transition wrestling from a niche sport to pop culture iconography. Hogan later joined WCW and led the influential nWo faction during the 1990s’ “Monday Night Wars.” He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame twice (2005 & 2020) .
Final Days and Health Decline
In recent weeks, Hogan’s health had come under scrutiny. His wife, Sky Daily, publicly denied rumors of a coma or deathbed status, explaining he was recovering from neck surgery and remained in improving health. Still, his death came as a shock. Close friend and longtime manager Jimmy Hart described speaking with Hogan’s assistant just a day before his passing, being assured he was “doing great” — making the loss even more devastating . Sky posted an emotional tribute, noting: “For the world he was a legend… but for me he was my Terry,” and shared her heartbreak, adding “I thought we still had more time” .
Global Tributes Pour In
Tributes from the wrestling and entertainment world came swiftly:
- Vince McMahon hailed Hogan as the “greatest WWE Superstar of ALL TIME.”
- Icons like Ric Flair, Undertaker, Daggy, Randy Savage, and John Cena lauded his impact.
- Sylvester Stallone, who starred with Hogan in Rocky III, described him as “the most talented” he’d ever worked with .
- Bollywood stars such as Arjun Kapoor and Varun Dhawan expressed how Hogan shaped their childhoods
WWE issued a solemn statement:
“One of pop culture’s most recognizable figures… Hogan helped WWE achieve global recognition in the 1980s.” They extended condolences to Hogan’s family, friends, and fans worldwide .
Legacy and Personal Life
Hogan leaves behind a rich legacy spanning wrestling, film, television, and reality. Besides his wrestling achievements, he appeared in Rocky III, No Holds Barred, Mr. Nanny, and starred in the reality show Hogan Knows Best. Despite controversies — from a 2015 scandal involving racist remarks to legal battles like the $115 million verdict in his Gawker lawsuit — his influence remained profound .
He is survived by his wife, Sky Daily, and two children, Nick and Brooke Hogan .
Looking Ahead
Hogan’s passing marks the end of an era in professional wrestling. From WrestleMania to the formation of nWo, his charisma and showmanship defined generations. While his Real American Freestyle wrestling promotion, scheduled to launch in Cleveland on August 30, 2025, was set to put him in a new role as commissioner and talent developer, that initiative now proceeds without its co-founder and visionary .
Loved by millions, controversial at times, and undeniably larger-than-life, Hulk Hogan transformed wrestling into entertainment and left an indelible mark on generations of fans. He will be deeply missed, but his legacy endures.