WWE icon Hulk Hogan, one of the most recognizable faces in professional wrestling, passed away at the age of 71 after suffering a cardiac arrest, Florida police confirmed on Thursday. Hogan, whose real name was Terry Gene Bollea, was pronounced dead at a hospital in Clearwater.
Hogan was a global phenomenon in the 1980s and 1990s, headlining the first WrestleMania in 1985 and facing legendary opponents like Andre The Giant, Randy Savage, The Rock, and even WWE chairman Vince McMahon. A six-time WWE Champion, he was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005.
WWE expressed its condolences in a statement on X, saying,
“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.”
In recent years, Hogan made headlines for his successful $140 million lawsuit against Gawker Media over a leaked sex tape, which he claimed violated his privacy.
