Terry Bollea, known to millions around the globe as the iconic, bandana-wearing professional wrestler Hulk Hogan, has died. He was 71.
The news was first reported by TMZ Sports, which stated that first responders were called to Hogan’s home in Clearwater, Florida, on Thursday morning for a cardiac arrest incident. His passing was later confirmed in a statement released by World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), the organization he helped build into a global entertainment powerhouse.
“WWE is saddened to learn WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan has passed away,” the statement read. “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.”
For an entire generation, Hulk Hogan was more than a wrestler; he was a real-life superhero. With his 24-inch pythons, iconic leg drop, and unshakable command to “say your prayers and eat your vitamins,” he crafted a character that transcended the wrestling ring and became a cornerstone of 1980s pop culture. “Hulkamania” was a cultural phenomenon, turning arenas into seas of yellow and red and captivating a massive television audience.
Born in Augusta, Georgia, on August 11, 1953, Terry Bollea was a musician before he found his calling in the squared circle. It was his immense charisma and incredible physique that caught the eye of WWE owner Vince McMahon. Rebranded as Hulk Hogan, he was positioned as the ultimate American hero. His legendary showdown against André the Giant at WrestleMania III in 1987, where he famously bodyslammed the 520-pound behemoth, is widely regarded as a defining moment that propelled professional wrestling into the mainstream.
Hogan’s influence didn’t stop there. In the 1990s, he reinvented himself in World Championship Wrestling (WCW), shockingly turning into the villainous “Hollywood” Hogan and founding the New World Order (nWo). This move sparked the “Monday Night Wars,” a period of intense, head-to-head competition with WWE that created another boom period for the industry.
Beyond the ring, Hogan was a multimedia star. He appeared in films like “Rocky III” and starred in his own television shows, including the reality series “Hogan Knows Best,” which gave fans a look into his family life.
His career, however, was not without controversy. Hogan faced public backlash and a temporary removal from the WWE Hall of Fame in 2015 after a leaked tape revealed him using racial slurs. He later apologized and was reinstated in 2018, though the incident remained a contentious part of his legacy.
Despite the controversies, his impact on the industry is undeniable. He was a 12-time world champion and a two-time WWE Hall of Fame inductee, once as an individual and a second time as a member of the nWo. He paved the way for future stars like Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and John Cena, proving that a wrestler could become a global brand.
Hogan is survived by his wife, Sky Daily, and his two children, Brooke and Nick Hogan. His passing marks the end of an era, but the indelible mark of Hulkamania on sports and entertainment will run wild forever.