WWE Icon Hulk Hogan Dies at 71 Following Cardiac Arrest in Florida

In a turn of events that stunned fans around the globe this morning, wrestling legend Hulk Hogan has passed away at age 71 after suffering a cardiac arrest at his Florida home. Known to generations as the face of WWE, Terry “Hulk Hogan” Bollea’s sudden departure leaves a void in both sports and pop culture.

Even as recent health concerns swirled following neck surgery, his wife, Sky Daily, had reassured the public that his heart was “strong.”

Hulk Hogan died at 71 after being hit by a cardiac arrest call at his Clearwater residence

Breaking late this Thursday morning, multiple outlets, including TMZ and the WWE, confirmed that Hogan collapsed from cardiac arrest in his Clearwater, Florida home. First responders rushed to the scene, wheeling the iconic wrestler to an ambulance, but despite rapid medical intervention, Hogan could not be revived.

WWE’s official statement struck a respectful tone:

“WWE is saddened to learn WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan has passed away… One of pop culture’s most recognizable figures, Hogan helped WWE achieve global recognition in the 1980s,” the company expressed in a post on X.

At 71, Hogan had faced health whispers for weeks after undergoing neck surgery in May. His wife, Sky, denied rumors of a coma, assuring fans that his heart was “strong” and recovery was on track. But tragically, the cardiac arrest came swiftly this morning.
Nicknamed “The Immortal One,” Hogan’s career achievements read like a greatest‑hits reel. A two‑time WWE Hall of Famer, 12‑time world champion, and an electrifying figure who headlined landmark WrestleManias, he was also the comedic and action‑hero face of a generation. From thumping Andre the Giant at WrestleMania III to duking it out with The Ultimate Warrior and locking horns with The Rock, he stood at the center of wrestling’s rise to global spectacle.
His influence extended beyond the ring: he’s remembered for his role as Thunderlips in Rocky III, the family‑drama reality show Hogan Knows Best, and reality TV’s Objectified, where he cheekily admitted he “had no original body parts left” from surgeries after wrestling injuries.
That same Tampa Bay morning, multiple local EMTs and law enforcement converged on his home; Passersby saw Hogan carried away on a stretcher before the tragedy was confirmed. At the time of writing, his family has not released an official statement, but WWE offered condolences to his wife, Sky Daily, and his children, Brooke and Nick Hogan, acknowledging “a pioneer and foundational presence in our industry”.

If you grew up chanting, “Whatcha gonna do, brother?” or you remember the cultural tidal wave of 1980s WrestleMania, tonight, feel a knot in your gut. Hogan may have stepped out of the spotlight, but his legacy lives on.
 

Career in review: From Hulkamania to Hollywood

Hulk Hogan began his WWE journey in 1979, but it was the mid‑80s that launched “Hulkamania” into the mainstream. Towering at 6’9″, sporting his trademark handlebar moustache and ripping off his yellow bandana, this man turned WWE into a pop‑culture powerhouse throughout the 1980s and early 1990s.

Hogan’s signature charisma and hero vibes earned him 12 world championships, a spot in the WWE Hall of Fame (twice), and lead roles across movies and TV. While his career faced turbulence due to controversies off‑camera, his influence on pro wrestling is indelible and will be remembered forever.
 

Hogan’s passing marks the end of a chapter, but for fans worldwide, the legend of Hulkamania shows no signs of fading. Rest in peace, Hulk – thank you for the show, the shout, and the sheer spectacle.