Legendary WWE superstar Hulk Hogan (born Terry Bollea) has died at the age of 71 from cardiac arrest at his home in Clearwater, Florida, the WWE confirmed on Thursday.  

Emergency services were dispatched to Hogan’s residence at approximately 9:51 AM local time after a 911 call reporting a cardiac arrest. Paramedics performed on‑scene resuscitation before transporting him to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead.  


Hogan—a towering figure who first broke onto the national scene in the late 1970s—transformed professional wrestling into a mainstream phenomenon under the banner of “Hulkamania.” He made his televised debut in Madison Square Garden in December 1979, went on to headline eight WrestleMania events, and captured a total of twelve world championships over a career spanning more than three decades. He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame twice, first in 2005 and again in 2020.  


Beyond the squared circle, Hogan enjoyed success in film and television, most notably starring alongside Sylvester Stallone in Rocky III (1982) and headlining the VH1 reality series Hogan Knows Best from 2005 to 2007. His larger‑than‑life persona made him one of pop culture’s most recognizable figures.  


Considered by many to be the Babe Ruth of professional wrestling, Hogan helped turn WWE into a multi‑billion‑dollar entertainment juggernaut. His charisma, signature “24‑inch pythons” and patriotic red‑and‑yellow garb cemented his status as an international superstar and paved the way for the modern sports‑entertainment industry.  


Tributes have poured in from around the world. Bollywood actor Arjun Kapoor and Hollywood icon Sylvester Stallone mourned the loss of their longtime friend, while WWE figures including Vince McMahon, The Undertaker and Ric Flair praised Hogan’s immeasurable impact on the industry.  


Hogan is survived by his two children, Brooke and Nick Bollea. Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced.