WWE legend Hulk Hogan passes away at age 71
Tributes pour in for the global wrestling icon
DUBAI: Hulk Hogan, a towering figure in the world of professional wrestling, has died at the age of 71.
The wrestler, born Terry Bollea, was pronounced dead Thursday morning at a hospital in Clearwater, Florida, after suffering cardiac arrest.
Emergency responders were dispatched to his home at 9:51 AM. Clearwater Police confirmed there were no signs of foul play or suspicious activity, according to Maj. Nate Burnside. TMZ reported Hogan was treated on-site by medics before being transported by ambulance.
Who was Hulk Hogan?
Hogan was the face of the WWF (now WWE) during its 1980s boom, headlining the first WrestleMania in 1985 and famously body-slamming Andre the Giant at WrestleMania III. With his red-and-yellow gear, horseshoe moustache, and bulging “24-inch pythons”, Hogan helped turn professional wrestling into a global sensation.
He won six WWE championships and was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005. WWE stated: “One of pop culture’s most recognisable figures, Hogan helped WWE achieve global recognition in the 1980s.”
Legacy beyond the ring
Hogan’s life extended well beyond wrestling. He starred as Thunderlips in Rocky III, appeared in reality television, and famously won a Dh535 million lawsuit against Gawker Media over a privacy violation.
In April, Hogan embraced a new role as commissioner for the Real American Freestyle league, billed as the first “unscripted pro wrestling” organisation, with its first event scheduled for 30 August in Cleveland.
Donald J Trump says there’s no substitute for victory. HH pic.twitter.com/Ib8pIKUdfl
— Hulk Hogan (@HulkHogan) October 28, 2024
At the 2024 Republican National Convention, he passionately endorsed Donald Trump, tearing off his shirt to reveal a Trump-Vance campaign tee.
Following Hogan’s passing, vice-presidential candidate JD Vance paid tribute on X.
Hulk Hogan was a great American icon. One of the first people I ever truly admired as a kid.
— JD Vance (@JDVance) July 24, 2025
The last time I saw him we promised we’d get beers together next time we saw each other.
The next time will have to be on the other side, my friend! Rest in peace.
He wrote, “Hulk Hogan was a great American icon. One of the first people I ever truly admired as a kid. The last time I saw him we promised we’d get beers together next time we saw each other. The next time will have to be on the other side, my friend! Rest in peace.”