Wrestling icon Hulk Hogan, born Terry Gene Bollea, passed away at the age of 71 on Thursday after suffering a cardiac arrest at his Florida residence. An ambulance was called to his home, and police confirmed the cause of death. Hogan had undergone neck surgery in July, sparking speculation about his health, which his wife Sky Daily had denied in a recent Instagram post.
Hogan's team announced his death on Instagram, stating: 'Our beloved Terry Bollea, known worldwide as Hulk Hogan, passed away today surrounded by his loved ones.' The statement requested privacy for the family and highlighted his four-decade career that touched millions of fans worldwide. He is survived by his wife Sky and his children Brooke, 37, and Nick, 34.
Tributes flooded in from political and entertainment figures. Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social: 'We lost a great friend today, the Hulkster. Hulk Hogan was MAGA all the way... He entertained fans from all over the World, and the cultural impact he had was massive.' Vice President JD Vance recalled a promise to share beers, saying: 'The next time will have to be on the other side, my friend! Rest in peace.'
Sylvester Stallone shared a photo from Rocky III, where Hogan played Thunderlips, writing: 'I had the pleasure of meeting this brilliant personality and showman when he was 26 years old... My heart breaks. I think that he's gone.' Actress Brooke Shields and model Carol Alt also paid tribute, with Alt saying she 'burst into tears' upon hearing the news.
The WWE issued a statement calling Hogan 'one of pop culture's most recognizable figures' who helped the organisation achieve global recognition in the 1980s. Vince McMahon described him as 'the greatest WWE Superstar of ALL TIME' and a trailblazer who 'gave everything he had to the audience.'
