Wrestling Legend Hulk Hogan Dies at 71

Hulk Hogan, one of the most iconic figures in professional wrestling history, has died at the age of 71, the WWE confirmed today.

Born Terry Gene Bollea in Florida, Hogan rose to superstardom in the 1980s, capturing the hearts of fans worldwide with his larger-than-life persona and trademark anthem, “Real American.” His victory over the Iron Sheik in 1984 sparked the birth of “Hulkamania,” establishing him as a symbol of American pride and wrestling excellence.

Hogan’s career soared with his WWF (now WWE) World Heavyweight Championship reigns and memorable feuds, including his famous loss to Andre the Giant in 1988. However, his WWF journey was interrupted in the 1990s amid a steroid controversy.

Hogan also explored a Hollywood career, appearing in films such as Rocky III, Gremlins 2: The New Batch, Suburban Commando, Mr. Nanny, and Santa With Muscles.

In 1994, Hogan joined World Championship Wrestling (WCW), where he reinvented himself as “Hollywood Hogan”, a heel character that fueled the success of the New World Order (nWo) storyline. He returned to WWE in the early 2000s.

Hogan was embroiled in legal controversy in 2012 after Gawker published a leaked sex tape. He successfully sued the outlet, winning a $140 million judgment that ultimately led to Gawker’s shutdown and sparked major debates around digital privacy and press freedom.

Despite being inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005, Hogan was removed in 2015 due to the release of another tape in which he used a racial slur. He was reinstated in 2018.

In later years, Hogan publicly supported Donald Trump, even appearing at the 2024 Republican National Convention.

He is survived by his wife, Sky Hogan, his ex-wife Linda Hogan, and their children, Brooke and Nick Hogan. He was previously married to Jennifer McDaniel from 2010 to 2021.

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