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.
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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.
In the video above: The Hulk Hogan betrayal that changed wrestling forever
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”.
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.
READ MORE: Hogan’s final conversation with estranged daughter
READ MORE: Hogan’s ex-wife shares heartbreaking photo
Vince McMahon’s heartfelt Hogan tribute
Tributes have come pouring in for Hogan from around the wrestling and entertainment world.
The Undertaker said: “The wrestling world has lost a true legend. His contributions to our business are immeasurable and for that I am appreciative. Thank you, Hulk Hogan.”
Wrestling legend Sting wrote on Instagram: “HULK HOGAN - THE GREATEST OF ALL
“Can’t thank you enough for all that you did for me and for wrestling fans all over the world. I loved you and I will miss you. My friend, Terry Bollea, RIP.”
I Am Absolutely Shocked To Hear About The Passing Of My Close Friend @HulkHogan! Hulk Has Been By My Side Since We Started In The Wrestling Business. An Incredible Athlete, Talent, Friend, And Father! Our Friendship Has Meant The World To Me. He Was Always There For Me Even When… pic.twitter.com/rOWLakMjr4
— Ric Flair® (@RicFlairNatrBoy) July 24, 2025
Former WWE boss Vince McMahon said: “The world lost a treasure today.
“Hulk Hogan was the greatest WWE Superstar of ALL TIME, someone who was loved and admired around the world.
He was a trailblazer, the first performer who transitioned from being a wrestling star into a global phenomenon.
“His grit and unbridled thirst for success were unparalleled — and made him the consummate performer. He gave everything he had to the audience whom he appreciated, respected and loved.
“He leaves us with one of his favorite expressions, ‘Train, take your vitamins and say your prayers.’ Today, we pray for him.”
McMahon, who co-founded the modern WWE with his wife, Linda, was one of the most instrumental figures in the rise of Hogan.
McMahon and Hogan had an up-and-down relationship over the years, which was complex and often contentious.
The duo worked closely together as The Hulkster rose to fame in the 1980s — McMahon recruited Hogan to join the then-WWF in 1984, and the wrestler developed into a megastar in the following years.
But the pair had a falling out when Hogan testified against McMahon in a 1993 trial that accused the latter of distributing steroids to his wrestlers.
McMahon went on to temporarily ban Hogan from WWE after the wrestler’s racist comments were made public in 2015, before ultimately bringing him back.
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 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.
“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.”
Estranged ex-wife shares sad last picture
Hulk Hogan’s estranged ex-wife shared a sweet throwback picture of them just days before the wrestling star died from cardiac arrest.
She gushed about the “good old days” in the now-heartwrenching post four days before the 71-year-old WWE legend’s death.
Just days before Hogan’s death, his ex-wife Linda Hogan, who he was married to until 2009, shared a throwback picture of the couple at a convention in 1996.
In the picture, Linda stunned in a black dress as the couple embraced.
Hogan wore his iconic red and yellow Hulkster WCW costume, including his Hogan bandana over his bleach-blond hair, red pants, and yellow tank top.
“The good old days,” Linda wrote in the now-heartwrenching caption.
In the comments, fans gushed over the memories and said that they were praying for Hogan to recover from his health battle.
Hogan’s final conversation with estranged daughter
Hulk Hogan and his daughter, Brooke, may have had a rocky relationship in recent years, but they still had a lot of love for each other.
“He was very proud of her, she was his little girl,” a rep for Brooke told Page Six. “We still can’t believe he is gone.”
Their last conversation, which allegedly took place two weeks before her father tied the knot with Daily, involved Brooke telling her father she loved him, reports TMZ.
Brooke allegedly told her father how deep love and concern for his wellbeing went, and shared she wanted him to slow down his career due to his health problems.
While Hulk didn’t listen to his daughter’s advice, he did extend a vague apology to his daughter.
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.
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.
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