Legendary professional wrestler Terry Gene “Hulk” Bollea, known globally as Hulk Hogan, has died at the age of 71, WWE confirmed today.
The wrestling giant and cultural icon suffered cardiac arrest at his home in Clearwater, Florida, and, according to local reports, was rushed by ambulance to Morton Plant Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Hogan rose to fame in the 1980s with the World Wrestling Federation (now WWE), where his “Hulkamania” persona played a pivotal role in transforming wrestling into a mainstream entertainment powerhouse. He headlined multiple WrestleMania events and famously faced off against Andre the Giant in one of the most-watched matches in US television history.
WWE honoured him in a heartfelt statement on X (formerly Twitter), calling him “one of pop culture’s most recognisable figures” and expressing condolences to his family and fans.
“WWE is saddened to learn WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan has passed away.” WWE wrote. “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.”
Born on 11 August 1953 in Augusta, Georgia, Hogan began wrestling professionally in 1977. He won six WWF championships and earned a reputation for larger-than-life charisma, trademark catchphrases, and a showmanship style that reshaped the industry.
Details later…