Wednesday, 27 May 2026
Hulk Hogan poses in ring during a match while working for the WWE. (Photo by WWE/WWE via Getty Images)
Hulk Hogan, legendary wrestling figure, passes away at 71
CLEARWATER — Hulk Hogan, the iconic professional wrestler renowned for his signature mustache, headscarf, and formidable physique, passed away Thursday in Florida at the age of 71, according to the Associated Press.
Emergency responders arrived at Hogan’s Clearwater residence Thursday morning following a report of cardiac arrest. He was declared dead at a hospital less than 90 minutes later, police said.
“There were no indications of foul play or suspicious circumstances,” Major Nate Burnside informed the press.
Known offstage as Terry Bollea, Hogan is regarded as perhaps the greatest superstar in WWE history. He headlined the inaugural WrestleMania in 1985 and remained a central figure for years, squaring off against legends like Andre The Giant, Randy Savage, The Rock, and even WWE co-founder Vince McMahon.
Hogan clinched at least six WWE championships before being inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005. Today, WWE events fill major sports stadiums, and millions of fans tune in to the company’s flagship live show, “Raw,” which premiered on Netflix in January.
“He broke new ground as the first wrestling talent to become a worldwide sensation,” McMahon said of Hogan.
“Hulkamania”—the fervor ignited by his presence—took the world by storm in the mid-1980s, propelling professional wrestling into mainstream culture. As a patriotic American icon with his trademark horseshoe mustache, bold red and yellow attire, and bulging “24-inch pythons,” Hogan thrilled arenas packed with fans who erupted when he tore his shirt off in the ring—a signature act revealing his bronzed, muscular physique.
Beyond the squared circle, Hogan was a household name, appearing in numerous films and TV programs, including his VH1 reality series, “Hogan Knows Best.”