Article
Wrestling Legend Hulk Hogan Dies at 71, Ending an Era of “Hulkamania” and Pop Culture Dominance
Summary
Wrestling icon Hulk Hogan has died at 71 following cardiac arrest. He revolutionized WWE, starred in films, and remained a pop culture force despite personal controversies.
Hulk Hogan, the great wrestling icon whose charisma and theatrics helped make professional wrestling a global phenomenon, passed away at the age of 71. Terry Gene Bollea was born, and Hogan succumbed in his Clearwater, Florida, home following a cardiac arrest on early Thursday morning.
Rising to fame in the 1980s, Hogan was the face of the World Wrestling Federation (now WWE), wooing audiences with his blonde moustache, bandanas, and "24-inch pythons." His charismatic persona headlined the first WrestleMania in 1985 and won six WWE championships. Hogan has been inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame twice—first in 2005 and again in 2020 as a member of the New World Order (nWo).
Beyond the ring, Hogan had appeared in films like Rocky III, Suburban Commando, and Mr. Nanny, and he hosted the reality show Hogan Knows Best. His influence also carried over to politics, where he made news for endorsing Donald Trump at the 2024 Republican National Convention.
Despite his popularity, Hogan's life was marred by scandals, including the release of a sex tape and suspension by WWE in 2015 for his use of racial slurs. He was restored in 2018 after public apologies and reconciliations.
Wrestling fans and wrestlers worldwide paid homage to Hogan as a larger-than-life character who transformed sports entertainment. He is survived by his wife Sky Daily and two kids.