Hulk Hogan dead: WWE legend dies aged 71 in Clearwater Florida

From his health battle to healing family estrangements, new details have emerged about the rollercoaster last weeks of wrestling legend Hulk Hogan’s life.

Wrestling icon Hulk Hogan has died of a suspected cardiac arrest at the age of 71, knowing perfectly well his heart was “weak” despite his family’s denials of his ill health when they were leaked to the media.

Paramedics were called to his home in Clearwater Florida on Thursday morning 9.51am local time (Friday AEST) but the WWE superstar could not be saved and was later pronounced dead at a Florida hospital.

In the 911 audio obtained by TMZ, operators can be heard noting the matter pertained to a “cardiac arrest” before medics were dispatched.

While the news of his death came as a shock to most of the world, it was a possibility of which Hogan and his closest friends and family were well aware.

“He was suffering from shortness of breath, got tired easily, had lost a lot of weight and was on oxygen,” a source told the Daily Mail.

Hogan, whose real name was Terry Bollea had been recovering from a number of surgeries, including procedures to his neck and heart, with his wife Sky Daily, who he married in 2023, denying media reports just last week that he was unwell, stating he was “strong.”

The wrestling world were among the first to pay tribute.

“WWE is saddened to learn WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan has passed away,” WWE wrote on X.

“One of pop culture’s most recognisable figures, Hogan helped WWE achieve global recognition in the 1980s. WWE extends its condolences to Hogan’s family, friends, and fans.”

Hulk Hogan was pronounced dead at a Florida hospital after emergency personnel responded to a cardiac arrest call at his home in Clearwater, police said. (Photo by Thomas Simonetti / AFP)

Nick Hogan arrives to the home of his father Terry Bollea, best known as Hulk Hogan. (Photo by Thomas Simonetti / AFP)

US president Donald Trump was also quick to pay his respects.

While Hogan is best known for his decades long career with WWE, where he rose to fame in the 1980s, he captured the spotlight again last year during the US presidential race where he campaigned in support of Mr Trump.

“We lost a great friend today, the “Hulkster.” Hulk Hogan was MAGA all the way — Strong, tough, smart, but with the biggest heart,” Mr Trump wrote to Truth Social.

Professional wrestler Hulk Hogan poses for photographers on March 29, 2018, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP, File)

“He gave an absolutely electric speech at the Republican National Convention, that was one of the highlights of the entire week. He entertained fans from all over the World, and the cultural impact he had was massive.

“To his wife, Sky, and family, we give our warmest best wishes and love. Hulk Hogan will be greatly missed!”

Final conversation with estranged daughter

Hogan’s daughter Brooke had a rocky relationship with her father in recent years, having been estranged since September 2023, when the 37-year old skipped Hogan’s wedding to Sky Daily.

However their last conversation, which allegedly took place two weeks before her father’s wedding and involved Brooke telling Hogan she loved him, has been revealed.

Brooke told her father how deep her love and concern for his wellbeing went, urging him to slow down his career in light of health problems, TMZ reported.

Sources close to Brooke said she learned of her father’s passing after her brother Nick texted her husband to share the news.

Hulk Hogan, right, and his son Nicholas, left, wife Linda and daughter Brooke arrive at the 2006 MTV Video Music Awards in New York, 2006. (AP Photo/Stuart Ramson, File)

It’s reported Brooke’s husband Steven Oleksy had attempted to repair the relationship on multiple occasions, including reaching out when Brooke nearly died during childbirth.

Generations of wrestling fans seeking to dress as their hero have emulated Hogan’s blonde locks, handlebar moustache, headscarf and red T-shirt which he was known to theatrically rip off.

Two women walk past Hogan’s Hangout, a restaurant owned by Terry Bollea, best known as Hulk Hogan. (Photo by Thomas Simonetti / AFP)

Hogan and Mr T appear at a news conference in 1985. Picture: AP

Hulk Hogan fires up the crowd between matches at WrestleMania 21 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles in 2005. Picture: AP

His catchphrase: “What’cha gonna do when Hulkamania runs wild on you?!” was beloved by fans who enthusiastically cheered and booed for him during his transformation from hero to villain in the ring.

He was there at the beginning when wrestling boss Vince McMahon launched the wildly popular WrestleMania event.

Hogan’s net worth at the time of his death was estimated to be around $24 million according to Celebrity Net Worth, while other sources put it in the A$30m range.

WWE Superstar Hulk Hogan once made a special visit to a group of seriously ill kids at the Starlight Express Room at The Royal Children's Hospital in Melbourne. Picture: Nicole Cleary

Hogan also starred in the movie Rocky III where he played Thunderlips.

His family’s reality TV show Hogan Knows Best debuted in 2005 featuring his then wife Linda and their children Nick and Brooke.

The world’s most famous wrestler regularly made time to meet seriously ill children.

Among his most iconic moments were when he body slammed Andre the Giant during WrestleMania.

He was also known for his infamous feuds with Randy Savage and Ultimate Warrior.

While always a fan favourite, Hogan’s career was not without controversy.

He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005 only to be removed in 2015 amid a scandal about racist comments he made during a sexual encounter which was secretly recorded.

Hogan successfully sued Gawker for defamation after they published the video.

He was re-inducted into the hall in 2020.

Hogan was married three times, to Linda from 1983 to 2007, to Jennifer McDaniel from 2010 to 2022 and to his widow Sky Daily since 2023.

Originally published as Hulk Hogan dead: WWE legend dies aged 71 in Clearwater Florida