Hulk Hogan, the man who transformed professional wrestling into a family entertainment sport, has passed away at the age of 71. The WWE legend took his last breath at his home in Florida.

According to TMZ, Hogan reportedly suffered a cardiac arrest. Police and emergency medical services rushed to his home, and he was transported by ambulance to the hospital.

Just weeks ago, Hogan’s wife had denied rumors that he was in a coma, stating that his heart was “strong.”

Hogan was a pioneer who turned professional wrestling into something that appealed not just to fans of combat sports, but to entire families. Before his rise, wrestling had a relatively niche following. His theatrical performances in the ring captivated both children and their parents, breathing new life into the sport.

Who Was Hulk Hogan?

Hulk Hogan was born Terry Gene Bollea on August 11, 1953, in Georgia, USA. He became globally famous through his character in the then-WWF (now WWE), portraying a patriotic American hero. This persona won him legions of fans and immense popularity.

He also gained fame through his work in film and television, which helped attract a broader audience to professional wrestling. Hogan was beloved by fans throughout the 1980s and early ’90s. However, in the late ’90s, he made a dramatic turn by adopting a villainous persona and leading the infamous nWo (New World Order) faction to success using underhanded tactics—shocking longtime fans.

Over the course of his career, he competed in the world’s biggest wrestling organizations, including:

• World Wrestling Federation (WWF/WWE)
• World Championship Wrestling (WCW), which was eventually acquired by WWE
• Top Japanese promotions
• TNA Wrestling, where he was responsible for overseeing the show’s creative direction for four years.

In 2005, WWE inducted Hulk Hogan into its Hall of Fame, honoring his monumental contribution to the sport and his legendary career.

Personal Life

In 1983, he married Linda Claridge, and the couple had two children, Brooke and Nick. Hogan brought his personal life to television screens with the reality series “Hogan Knows Best”, which featured his wife and kids.

However, in 2007, Linda filed for divorce, citing infidelity on Hogan’s part.