Tributes paid after death of wrestling icon Hulk Hogan, aged 71: “His legacy will live forever”

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Tributes paid after death of wrestling icon Hulk Hogan, aged 71: “His legacy will live forever”

Hulk Hogan, the legendary professional wrestler and later a Hollywood actor, has died at the age of 71.

The news was confirmed by TMZ, who reported that his passing was the result of a cardiac arrest at his home in Clearwater, Florida on Thursday (July 24). He had been dealing with complications from neck fusion surgery in recent months.

Hogan – real name Terry Gene Bollea – was the face of WWE during their initial 1980s heyday, spearheading the pro wrestling boom that was termed ‘Hulkamania’ in his honour. The promotion’s leading “babyface” star, he headlined most of the first 10 WrestleMania events, before leaving to join rival promotion WCW in the early 1990s, where he “turned heel” and embraced the villainous Hollywood Hogan persona.

His stardom translated to the real-life Hollywood too, debuting as “Thunderlips” in Rocky III in 1982 and later starring in movies such as No Holds Barred, Suburban Commando and Mr. Nanny.

In later life, Hogan found himself at the centre of multiple controversies. In 2012, a sex tape was leaked online by the website Gawker, which showed Hogan using racial slurs. A widely-publicised lawsuit ensued, with Hogan defeating the website in a huge payout that ultimately shut them down. WWE briefly distanced themselves from Hogan, before welcoming him back in 2018.

Hogan also gave a rousing public endorsement of Donald Trump during the 2024 presidential election, speaking at a major rally at Madison Square Garden in New York. Shortly afterwards, he was booed by a live WWE audience at the company’s debut Monday Night Raw show on Netflix in January 2025, his final major public appearance.

WWE posted their tribute to Hogan online on Thursday, writing: “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. WWE extends its condolences to Hogan’s family, friends, and fans.

See other tributes below.

Hogan is survived by his wife, Sky Hogan, as well as his children Brooke and Nick. He was previously married to Linda Hogan from 1983 to 2009 and Jennifer McDaniel from 2010 to 2021.

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