Wrestling Icon Hulk Hogan Dies at 71
The world of professional wrestling mourns the loss of one of its most iconic figures, Hulk Hogan, who passed away at the age of 71. The WWE legend, known for his larger-than-life persona and unparalleled contributions to the sport, died early Thursday morning at his Clearwater, Florida home following a cardiac arrest, as reported by TMZ.
Born Terry Gene Bollea, Hulk Hogan transformed professional wrestling into a global phenomenon. Before his rise, wrestling catered to a niche audience. Hogan's charisma, theatrics, and undeniable presence in the ring captivated children and families alike, elevating the sport to mainstream entertainment.
Hogan's career reached new heights in 1996 when he shocked fans by turning heel and forming the New World Order (NWO) as 'Hollywood Hulk Hogan.' This bold move not only reinvented his character but also propelled professional wrestling to unprecedented levels of fame.
Hogan's influence extended beyond the wrestling ring. He made his Hollywood debut in 1982's 'Rocky III,' playing the memorable character Thunderlips. He went on to star in films like 'No Holds Barred,' 'Suburban Commando,' and 'Mr. Nanny.' Additionally, his VH1 reality show, 'Hogan Knows Best,' offered fans a glimpse into his family life with his then-wife Linda and children, Nick and Brooke.
Hogan was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005, a testament to his enduring legacy. However, his career was not without controversy. In 2015, he was removed from the Hall of Fame following a scandal involving racially insensitive comments. Despite this, he was reinstated in 2018. In 2020, Hogan became a Hall of Famer for the second time, as a member of the NWO, solidifying his place in wrestling history.
In his later years, Hogan became a vocal supporter of former President Donald Trump, a stance that earned him both admiration and criticism. His alignment with Trump and public appearances at political events polarized fans, with some praising his loyalty and others distancing themselves from the wrestling icon. This aspect of his life added complexity to his public image, showcasing the multifaceted nature of his legacy.
Hogan's health had been a topic of concern in recent years. Following a neck surgery in May, rumors swirled about his declining condition. His wife, Sky, had recently denied claims that he was in a coma, asserting that his heart was 'strong.' Tragically, his passing comes just weeks after these reassurances.
Hulk Hogan's impact on professional wrestling and popular culture is immeasurable. From his signature 'Hulkamania' catchphrases to his unforgettable matches, he leaves behind a legacy that will be celebrated for generations.
SEE ALSO
Wrestling Icon Hulk Hogan Dies at 71 was originally published on hotspotatl.com
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Hulk Hogan's Daughter Says Her ‘Spirit Left With Him' in Emotional Tribute: ‘I Know He's at Peace Now'
"He used to speak about this moment with such wonder and hope," Brooke Hogan shares Brooke Hogan has broken her silence on the death of father, Hulk Hogan, sharing that she's happy that he's now 'at peace' and no longer in pain. 'I know he's at peace now, out of pain and in a place as beautiful as he imagined,' she wrote in a Tuesday post on Instagram. 'He used to speak about this moment with such wonder and hope. Like meeting God was the greatest championship he'd ever have.' More from TheWrap Shohei Ohtani Gambling Scandal Drama Nears Series Order at Starz 'Destination X' Boss Shares Just How Hard It Was to Keep Those Contestants in the Dark Disney Sued for Defamation by 'Say Nothing' Subject Marian Price 'Outlander' Star Graham McTavish Welcomes 'Blood of My Blood' Stars Into the Hit Show's Universe: 'You Won't Be Disappointed' The WWE legend and Real American Freestyle commissioner died in his Clearwater, Florida home last Thursday. His death comes just three days after Fox Nation acquired the TV rights to his RAF wrestling tournament, with its inaugural matchup set to stream on Aug. 30. It also follows reports that the wrestler had been battling health problems in recent months. At the top of Brooke Hogan's message, she said that she sees her father's image through her own children. 'My dad's blood runs through my veins,' she said. 'His eyes shine through my children. And our bond has never broken, not even in his final moments. We had a connection deeper than words, one that spanned lifetimes. I am so grateful I knew the real version of him. Not just the one the world viewed through a carefully curated lens.' She continued, adding that she had a sense that her father had died prior to the news hitting headlines. 'We shared a quiet, sacred bond, one that be seen and felt by anyone who witnessed us together,' Brooke Hogan penned. 'We he left this earth, it felt like part of my spirit left with him. I felt before the news even reached us.' Hulk Hogan's son Nick took to social media on Sunday to share his own thoughts on his father, whom he called the 'best dad.' 'He was not only the best dad but also my mentor and my best friend. He always has been my best friend and I love him and miss him more than I could ever explain I thanked him for everything he has ever done for me and told him how much I loved him and hugged him every chance I got,' he said on Instagram. 'I spent a lot of time with him the past few years after moving back to Florida to be closer to him and I am so grateful for those memories. They are the best moments in my life.' TMZ reported paramedics were sent to the Hogan home in Clearwater, Florida, on Thursday, July 24. Promoter and Hogan's Real American Freestyle partner Eric Bischoff confirmed Hulk Hogan's death. He was 71. The post Hulk Hogan's Daughter Says Her 'Spirit Left With Him' in Emotional Tribute: 'I Know He's at Peace Now' appeared first on TheWrap. Solve the daily Crossword
Fox News
an hour ago
- Fox News
Brooke Hogan shares emotional tribute to father Hulk Hogan following his death, addresses their estrangement
Hulk Hogan's daughter Brooke Hogan has spoken out for the first time following her father's unexpected death. On July 24, the WWE icon, born Terry Gene Bollea, passed away at the age of 71 after he suffered a cardiac event at his Florida home. On Tuesday, Brooke, 37, who was estranged from Hulk at the time of his death, shared an emotional tribute to her father and clarified the circumstances around their rift. "My dad's blood runs through my veins. His eyes shine through my children. And our bond has never broken, not even in his final moments," Brooke began in a slideshow of written posts that she shared on Instagram. "We had a connection deeper than words, one that spanned lifetimes," she continued. "I am so grateful I knew the real version of him. Not just the one the world viewed through a carefully curated lens. We shared a quiet, sacred bond, one that could be seen and felt by anyone who witnessed us together. When he left this earth, it felt like part of my spirit left with him. I felt it before the news even reached us." "He used to remind me, 'All of this is temporary and I'll always find my way back to you. I truly believe that - we will find each other in every lifetime," she added. "I know he's at peace now, out of pain, and in a place as beautiful as he imagined. He used to speak about this moment with such wonder and hope. Like meeting God was the greatest championship he'd ever have." Brooke went on to explain that she felt "it was necessary to clear a few things up" regarding how her relationship with Hulk has been portrayed in the media. "We never had a 'big fight,'" she wrote." "My father and I never 'fought.' It was a series of private phone calls no one will ever hear, know, or understand." "My father was confiding in me about issues weighing on his heart, both personal and business," Brooke continued. "I offered to be a life raft in whatever capacity he needed. I told him he had my support. I begged him to rest, to take care of himself. He had nothing else to prove to the world or anyone." Brooke shared that she and her husband, former NHL star Steven Olesky, moved to Florida to be closer to Hulk as he was facing health struggles. "We had been through almost 25 surgeries together, and then all of a sudden he didn't want me at surgeries…everything started getting covered in a thick veil," Brooke recalled. "It was like there was a force field around him that I couldn't get through." "He was telling me these things, being so vulnerable with me and heard my pleas, then suddenly something shifted, and he made a choice to walk the path that clearly tore at his spirit," she continued. "I felt a disconnect. What followed were respectful disagreements that took an emotional toll on me." "During the last two years, I had to step away to protect my heart," Brooke added. However, Brooke shared that Olesky had maintained contact with Hulk in an effort to repair the relationship between his wife and her father. She explained that Olesky had been "quietly reaching out to my dad without me knowing, trying to find a safe way back in for me. After my father passed, I read those messages, some answered, some ignored….but all of them broke my heart." "I know in my heart I did everything I could," Brooke wrote. "He knew I would run through a burning building for him. And in many ways, along the path of life, I did. He knows how deeply, how hard and how purely I loved him. I am at peace knowing this" "All I ever truly wanted from my father was love, honesty, and a deep connection," she added. "And for a few special years, I had that–with memories that will last a lifetime." "My world is forever changed. But I'm deeply blessed with a loving husband and two beautiful children who remind me every day of life's greatest gifts," Brooke concluded. Brooke and Olesky, who married in 2022, announced in January 2025 that they had welcomed fraternal twins, son Oliver Andrew and daughter Molly Gene, the latter of whom shares a middle name with Hulk. Hulk shared Brooke and son Nick, 35, with his ex-wife Linda Hogan. The wrestling star and Linda tied the knot in 1983 but separated in 2007 and finalized their divorce in 2009. The family's life together was documented in the reality TV show "Hogan Knows Best," which ran for four seasons from 2005 to 2007 on VH1. After "Hogan Knows Best" was canceled, Brooke starred in the reality spin-off "Brooke Knows Best" for two seasons from 2008 to 2009. Rumors of a rift between Brooke and Hulk first sparked in September 2023 after she did not attend her father's wedding when he married his third wife, Sky Daily. Brooke is also estranged from Linda. In March, Linda claimed she hadn't seen Brooke in over eight years, due to Hulk's behavior. "Brooke doesn't talk to us. She had twins, she got married [and] she didn't tell us." After Linda blamed Hulk for the family's rift, Brooke fired back on Instagram and explained that she didn't speak to her mother or father for separate reasons. "Each individual, on their own, has given me more than enough reasons over the years to make this extremely hard and painful decision to end contact," Brooke wrote in part in a lengthy statement that she shared on Instagram at the time. "As much as I not only understand and have empathy for their own struggles, I absolutely LOVE them with every fiber of my being – which deep down I think they know. My heart hurts every day, and not a day passes it does not affect me. Inside of me, there is a little girl who desperately wants and needs her Mom and Dad."
Fox News
an hour ago
- Fox News
Hulk Hogan's ex-wife speaks out on wrestling star's death for first time
Hulk Hogan's ex-wife, Linda Hogan, addressed the late WWE star's death for the first time in a social media post Monday. Linda made the statement in the comment section of a photo she posted of her and Hulk July 19, five days before Hogan's death, captioned "The good ole days!" The two were married for 29 years before their 2009 divorce. They had two children, Brooke and Nick. "I had no idea he would pass away this soon," she wrote. "We all really thought he would make a comeback! Big surprise. We are all devastated. It's hitting me so hard. I loved Hulkster more than he loved me. It hurt when he cheated. But he was sooo famous. I sort of [understood], but it was crushing. It hurt. I [never] got over him or started a real relationship [with] anyone... I missed HIM! "I've been weeping all day . The finality . It's just shocking. We spent every minute together for so many years. I've known him since he was 28 yrs old ! I was 22. I still love him. Even [though] I never spoke or saw him, Nick did... and Nick would tell me things and vice versa. Just news about life. I still felt... although broken... we still were a family. It's so hard to know he's just gone. I tried to stay strong for Nick... but I'm melting down now. It's very sad. I love you Hulkster. You were my man. The only man for me. RIP." Linda and Hulk had publicly feuded in recent years. She publicly called Hulk "a "sex addict" and "complete liar" and said their family was "a complete mess" in an Instagram video in March. Hulk died Thursday after a reported cardiac arrest. The famed wrestler had reportedly been battling multiple health issues in the months and years before his death. In an appearance on Jake Paul's "Impaulsive" podcast in September 2024, Hogan revealed he'd had 25 surgeries the previous 10 years. This included 10 back surgeries, procedures on both shoulders and knee and hip replacements on both sides.
