The death of wrestling legend Hulk Hogan was caused by acute myocardial infarction, commonly known as a heart attack, according to official records. An autopsy revealed that the 71-year-old had a history of leukaemia CLL, a form of cancer affecting white blood cells, and also suffered from atrial fibrillation, an irregular heart rhythm.
Emergency services were called to Hogan's home in Clearwater Beach, Florida, at 9:51am on July 24. Police and medics arrived, with paramedics spending 30 minutes attempting to revive him before he was taken to hospital and pronounced dead. Clearwater Police major Nate Burnside said Hogan was already "experiencing serious medical-related issues" when he arrived at hospital.
Despite reports in June that his health had declined, his death came as a shock to close friends. Former on-screen manager Jimmy Hart told PEOPLE: "I called [Hogan] on Wednesday night, and then Thursday morning is when everything took place. So just overnight it all happened, but it was so positive the day before." Hogan's wife Sky Daily, whom he married in 2023, denied speculation that he had been in a coma.
Hogan, known for his bandanas, muscular physique and horseshoe moustache, helped drive professional wrestling's boom in the 1980s before moving into film and television in the 1990s. His credits included Rocky III, Suburban Commando, No Holds Barred and Gremlins 2: The New Batch.
He married Linda Claridge in 1983, with whom he had two children, Brooke and Nick. The couple divorced in 2009. He later married Jennifer McDaniel in 2010, divorcing in 2022, and wed Sky in 2023. In recent years he was estranged from his daughter Brooke, who declined his wedding invitation in 2023 and reportedly asked to be removed from his will. In a statement after his death, Brooke said: "My dad's blood runs through my veins. His eyes shine through my children. And our bond has never broken, not even in his final moments."
