Hulk Hogan’s cause of death has been announced, following the wrestling icon’s passing at the age of 71.
The star, whose real name was Terry Bollea, was pronounced dead in hospital last Thursday (July 24) after paramedics arrived at his home in Clearwater, Florida, responding to a call about a “cardiac arrest”. He had been dealing with complications from neck fusion surgery in recent months. An Instagram post said he died “surrounded by his loved ones” and asked for privacy.
According to a Florida medical examiner’s report released yesterday (July 31), Hogan’s death was deemed to be “natural” and the cause of death listed as “acute myocardial infarction”, a technical term for a heart attack.
Beginning his career in the late ‘70s, Hogan would go on to spearhead the success of the company that would become World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). He would headline the first Wrestlemania event and emerge as the industry’s most recognisable name, and a pop culture icon of the ‘80s and early ‘90s.
He would also appear in films such as Rocky III, No Holds Barred, and Suburban Commando. In his later years, the star would follow in Ozzy Osbourne’s footsteps and appear in a reality show with his family, called Hogan Knows Best. The series co-starred his then-wife Linda as well as children Brooke and Nick, and lasted for four seasons from 2005-07.
While undoubtedly an influential figure, his reputation was damaged by racist comments made during a sex tape that was leaked by the website Gawker in 2012. During what would be his last WWE appearance, during the January 6 edition of Monday Night Raw, he was booed by the crowd at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California.
Nevertheless, his death has seen a slew of tributes from around the entertainment world, and Florida governor Ron DeSantis has declared today (August 1) to be Hulk Hogan Day in the state. Flags will be flown at half mast on all official buildings in the area.
Comments are closed, but trackbacks and pingbacks are open.