Hulk Hogan’s cause of death revealed

Ambulances were called to the iconic wrestler’s home in Florida early on Thursday morning following rumours he had been ill for several weeks.

Iconic wrestler Hulk Hogan has died aged 71 after he suffered a heart attack at his Florida home on Thursday, US time.

Hogan’s manager Chris Volo told NBC that the star died surrounded by loved ones.

There had been concerns about his health for several weeks but Hogan’s wife Sky had assured fans that while Hogan was recovering after several operations there was “no need to panic”.

Tragically, and despite the optimism, Hogan did not make it through his recovery

World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) confirmed Hogan’s death and said it was “saddened to learn WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan had passed away”.

The organisation said Hogan, as Terry Bollea was known professionally, was “one of pop culture’s most recognisable figures” who had helped WWE achieve “global recognition” in the 1980s.

Hulk Hogan was always a commanding and flamboyant presence. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

US President Donald Trump said on social media the “Hulkster” was a “great friend” and “MAGA all the way”. He applauded Hogan’s “absolutely electric speech” at last July’s Republican National Convention.

“(Hogan was) strong, tough, smart, but with the biggest heart. He entertained fans from all over the World, and the cultural impact he had was massive.”

President Trump’s son, Donald Trump Jr, said simply: “R. I. P to a legend”.

Hulk Hogan rips his shirt as he speaks on stage on the fourth day of the Republican National Convention on July 18, 2024 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Hulk Hogan speaks on the final night of the Republican National Convention, July 18, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)

Police confirmed an ambulance was called to Hogan’s home in Clearwater, west of Tampa, at 9.51am on Thursday (11.51pm AEST).

“The nature of the call was for a cardiac arrest. A 71-year-old resident … Hulk Hogan, was treated by Clearwater Fire & Rescue crews before being taken by Sunstar to Morton Plant Hospital, where he was pronounced deceased,” police said in a statement.

Police added that there were “no signs of foul play or suspicious activity”.

He is survived by his wife, children Lind and Brooke and two grandchildren.

Hulk Hogan in 1986. PicTitan/Sports/Inc. Sport / Wrestling – archived

Muhammad Ali, left, Liberace, centre, and Hulk Hogan get together at Madison Square Garden in preparation for their upcoming wrestling event, March 29, 1985, in New York. Picture: AP Photo/Marty Lederhandler, File.

Recent poor health

Acquaintances of Hogan have claimed he had been in poor health since at least the beginning of July.

But Hogan’s wife Sky said that, Hogan was “healing” and there was “no need for panic” despite “intense” surgeries.

“No, he’s definitely not in a coma! His heart is strong, and there was never any lack of oxygen or brain damage … none of those rumours are true,” she reportedly wrote on Instagram this month.

Hulk Hogan fighting pro wrestler King Kong Bundy.

“He’s been recovering from a major four-level Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion which is an intense surgery with a long and layered healing process.

“We’ve been in and out of the hospital to support that recovery.

“So truly, there’s no need for the drama or panic some people try to stir up,” she added.

“He’s healing, and we’re taking it one day at a time with love, strength, and patience.”

Hogan in 2015 at The Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City. Picture: AFP PHOTO / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Robin Marchant

Dominated WWE in the 1980s

Born in Augusta, Georgia, in 1953, Hogan started wrestling in 1977 after dropping out of university and soon joined the Word Wrestling Federation which became the WWE.

The name “Hulk” came from TV series The Incredible Hulk which was popular at the time.

Hogan’s charisma and flamboyance – including his trademark handlebar moustache, bandannas and theatrical ripping off of his shirt – helped propel him to stardom.

Hulk Hogan, whose given name is Terry Bollea, waiting in the courtroom during a break in his trial against Gawker Media in St. Petersburg, Fla., March 9, 2016. (AP Photo/Steve Nesius, Pool, File)

His charm, ability to whip up a crowd and antics in the ring led him to achieve the fame few other wrestlers were able to sustain.

Some considered his showmanship to surpass his actual wrestling ability. Yet he was WWE champion six times, albeit in a choreographed fusion of entertainment and sport. The adoration of fans and the ensuing “Hulkamania” kept him at the forefront of WWE.

After he stopped wrestling, Hogan began an acting career in films and TV.

In 2015, Hogan apologised after a video of him using racial slurs emerged.

The next year, he settled a court case with website Gawker after it had earlier published part of a sex tape involving him. He had accused the website of defamation, loss of privacy, and emotional pain and was initially awarded $140 million. Following Hogan’s win, Gawker – then a popular site – went bankrupt and shut down.