Hulk Hogan, pro wrestling legend, dies at 71

Pro wrestling icon Hulk Hogan has died, police and World Wrestling Entertainment said. He was 71.

First responders were called to the Clearwater Beach, Florida, home of Hogan, whose real name was Terry Bollea, around 9:50 a.m. Thursday, police said.

“The nature of the call was for a cardiac arrest,” the Clearwater Police Department said in a statement. He was taken to Morton Plant Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

“There were no signs of foul play or suspicious activity,” Maj. Nate Burnside told reporters.

Hogan was perhaps the biggest star in WWE’s long history. He was the main draw for the first WrestleMania in 1985 and was a fixture for years, facing everyone from Andre The Giant and Randy Savage to The Rock and even company chairman Vince McMahon.
Entertainment
Hulk Hogan, pro wrestling legend, dies at 71
Updated on: July 24, 2025 / 9:18 PM EDT / CBS/AP

Pro wrestling icon Hulk Hogan has died, police and World Wrestling Entertainment said. He was 71.

First responders were called to the Clearwater Beach, Florida, home of Hogan, whose real name was Terry Bollea, around 9:50 a.m. Thursday, police said.

“The nature of the call was for a cardiac arrest,” the Clearwater Police Department said in a statement. He was taken to Morton Plant Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

“There were no signs of foul play or suspicious activity,” Maj. Nate Burnside told reporters.

Texas v Arkansas
Hulk Hogan is introduced during the Texas Longhorns versus the Arkansas Razorbacks at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium on November 16, 2024, in Fayetteville, Arkansas.
Wesley Hitt / Getty Images
Hogan was perhaps the biggest star in WWE’s long history. He was the main draw for the first WrestleMania in 1985 and was a fixture for years, facing everyone from Andre The Giant and Randy Savage to The Rock and even company chairman Vince McMahon.

He won at least six WWE championships and was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005.

“One of pop culture’s most recognizable figures, Hogan helped WWE achieve global recognition in the 1980s. WWE extends its condolences to Hogan’s family, friends, and fans,” WWE said in a statement posted on social media.

“Hulkamania,” as the energy he created was called, started running wild in the mid-1980s and pushed professional wrestling into the mainstream. He was a flag-waving American hero with the horseshoe mustache, red and yellow gear and massive arms he called his “24-inch pythons.”

Hogan was also a celebrity outside the wrestling world, appearing in numerous movies and television shows, including a reality show about his life on VH1, “Hogan Knows Best.”
Entertainment
Hulk Hogan, pro wrestling legend, dies at 71
Updated on: July 24, 2025 / 9:18 PM EDT / CBS/AP

Pro wrestling icon Hulk Hogan has died, police and World Wrestling Entertainment said. He was 71.

First responders were called to the Clearwater Beach, Florida, home of Hogan, whose real name was Terry Bollea, around 9:50 a.m. Thursday, police said.

“The nature of the call was for a cardiac arrest,” the Clearwater Police Department said in a statement. He was taken to Morton Plant Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

“There were no signs of foul play or suspicious activity,” Maj. Nate Burnside told reporters.

He won at least six WWE championships and was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005.