CLEARWATER, Fla. Hulk Hogan, the larger-than-life professional wrestling icon who transformed the sport into a global entertainment powerhouse, died Thursday in Florida at age 71.
According to local authorities, Hogan, born Terry Bollea, was pronounced dead at a hospital less than 90 minutes after emergency responders answered a call about a cardiac arrest at his Clearwater home early Thursday morning.
Hogan was a defining figure in World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), headlining the very first WrestleMania in 1985 and becoming the face of professional wrestling for decades. He clashed with some of the industry’s biggest names, including Andre the Giant, Randy Savage, The Rock, and even WWE co-founder Vince McMahon.
“Hulkamania,” the phenomenon sparked by Hogan’s star power, pushed pro wrestling into mainstream culture in the 1980s. With his trademark red-and-yellow gear, bandana, and signature mustache, Hogan became a household name — his catchphrases and shirt-ripping theatrics drawing massive crowds around the world.
“He was a trailblazer, the first performer who transitioned from being a wrestling star into a global phenomenon,” McMahon said in a statement.
Outside the ring, Hogan starred in TV shows, movies, and reality television, including VH1’s “Hogan Knows Best.” He also made headlines for personal scandals, most notably a 2012 sex tape scandal involving the wife of his former best friend. The incident led to a $140 million lawsuit against Gawker Media, which ended in a settlement after Gawker filed for bankruptcy.
The scandal also unearthed a recording of Hogan using racial slurs, leading WWE to cut ties with him in 2015. He was removed from the WWE Hall of Fame but was reinstated in 2018 after issuing a public apology, calling his comments “unacceptable.”
Despite controversy, Hogan continued to shape wrestling and remained active in the entertainment world. In April, he announced plans to serve as the inaugural commissioner of Real American Freestyle, a new wrestling league promoting unscripted matches.
He also remained politically outspoken. At the 2024 Republican National Convention, Hogan endorsed Donald Trump with a dramatic performance reminiscent of his wrestling persona, earning praise from the former president.
“We lost a great friend today, the ‘Hulkster,’” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “Hulk Hogan was MAGA all the way, Strong, tough, smart, but with the biggest heart.”
Hogan’s wrestling career spanned more than four decades. He became WWF (now WWE) champion in 1984 and helped launch the annual WrestleMania franchise. His iconic body slam of Andre the Giant at WrestleMania III in 1987 remains one of wrestling’s most memorable moments.
He later reinvented himself in World Championship Wrestling (WCW) as “Hollywood Hogan,” forming the villainous New World Order (nWo) faction during the Monday Night Wars of the 1990s. Hogan returned to WWE in 2002, even headlining WrestleMania X8 against The Rock in what was seen as a symbolic passing of the torch.
Off the mat, Hogan was known for his charisma and energetic promos, often beginning interviews with the legendary phrase, “Well, lemme tell ya something, Mean Gene!” a nod to announcer “Mean” Gene Okerlund.
Hogan was born in Georgia but grew up in Florida, where he discovered his passion for wrestling as a teenager. He spent much of his life in the Tampa Bay area, where he remained a beloved local figure despite the ups and downs of his public life.
Fans gathered outside Hogan’s Hangout, his Clearwater Beach restaurant, on Thursday to pay tribute. “He was a really super nice guy, and we’re gonna miss him,” said Rich Null, a fan who once worked out with Hogan.
Hogan is survived by his children and wife, Sky Daily, whom he married in 2023. His legacy, both in and out of the ring, continues to shape the world of professional wrestling and American pop culture.
Paraluman P. Funtanilla
Paraluman P. Funtanilla is Tutubi News Magazine's Marketing Specialist and is a Contributing Editor. She finished her degree in Communication Arts in De La Salle Lipa. She has worked as a Digital Marketer for start-up businesses and small business spaces for the past two years. She has earned certificates from Coursera on Brand Management: Aligning Business Brand and Behavior and Viral Marketing and How to Craft Contagious Content. She also worked with Asia Express Romania TV Show.
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- Paraluman P. Funtanilla
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