Wrestling icon and pop culture legend Hulk Hogan has passed away at the age of 71, World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) confirmed on Thursday.
According to a report by TMZ, emergency services were dispatched to Hogan’s residence in Clearwater, Florida, following a call for “cardiac arrest.” He was transported to the hospital on a stretcher but was later pronounced dead.
In a statement shared on X (formerly Twitter), WWE said: “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.”
Born Terry Bollea, Hogan began his wrestling career in the 1970s in Florida and went on to become one of the most influential figures in the sport. With his trademark bandana, handlebar mustache, and larger-than-life persona, Hogan captivated audiences worldwide and helped propel professional wrestling into the mainstream.
He headlined numerous WrestleMania events and was the face of WWE during its explosive growth in the 1980s and early ’90s. Hogan later played a pivotal role in rival promotion WCW, where he reinvented himself as a villain in the New World Order (nWo) faction.
Beyond wrestling, Hogan became a pop culture staple, appearing in films, television shows, and commercials, cementing his place as one of the most recognized entertainers of his time.
Tributes are pouring in from fans, fellow wrestlers, and celebrities across the world as the wrestling community mourns the loss of a true legend.
