Florida Police Announce "Death After Hospital Transfer"
Trump Pays Tribute: "He Was the Ultimate MAGA with a Big Heart"
Hulk Hogan, known as a 'legend in professional wrestling,' passed away on July 24 (local time) at the age of 71.
Legendary American professional wrestler Hulk Hogan passed away at the age of 71 on the 24th (local time). Photo by Reuters Yonhap News
The Clearwater Police Department in the western beach city of Clearwater, Florida, announced in a statement posted on Facebook that police and fire authorities were dispatched to Hogan's residence after receiving a report of cardiac arrest at 9:51 a.m. that day. Paramedics performed emergency treatment and transported Hogan to a nearby hospital, but he was ultimately pronounced dead at the hospital, according to the police.
The Associated Press, citing statements from local police and the professional wrestling organization WWE, reported that Hogan had passed away. WWE expressed deep sorrow in a post on its X (formerly Twitter) account, stating, "We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Hulk Hogan, a WWE Hall of Famer," and added, "As one of the most iconic figures in popular culture, Hogan contributed to WWE's rise to global recognition in the 1980s."
U.S. President Donald Trump also paid tribute to Hogan on the social media platform Truth Social, describing him as "strong, tough, smart, and the ultimate 'MAGA (Make America Great Again)' with the biggest heart." Trump recalled, "He delivered a truly electrifying speech at the Republican National Convention last year." He continued, "Hogan brought joy to fans around the world, and his cultural impact was enormous. He will be greatly missed."
Hogan, whose real name was Terry Bollea, is considered one of the greatest stars in WWE history. He won the WWE Championship at least six times and was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005.
He is highly regarded for transforming professional wrestling into a family-friendly entertainment sport starting in the mid-1980s. Before his rise, wrestling did not have a large fan base. Through dramatic performances in the ring, he captivated children and family audiences, popularized an entertainment-oriented wrestling culture, and led professional wrestling into its golden age.
He spearheaded the launch of the professional wrestling event 'WrestleMania' in 1985 and went on to deliver many iconic matches in wrestling history. His bouts against Dwayne Johnson, known as 'The Rock,' Andre the Giant, Ultimate Warrior, and Randy Savage are especially famous.
His trademarks included horseshoe-shaped facial hair, red and yellow outfits, and his massive arms, which he famously called '24-inch pythons.' Leveraging his widespread popularity, he was active outside the wrestling world as well, appearing in various movies and TV programs, including the reality show 'Hogan Knows Best' and the film 'Rocky III.' His role as 'Thunderlips' in 'Rocky III' left a strong impression on fans, and the wrestling movie he starred in, 'No Holds Barred,' also gained worldwide popularity.
TMZ Sports, which first reported Hogan's passing, noted that there had been rumors a few weeks ago that Hogan had fallen into a coma, but his wife denied these claims. The outlet also previously reported that Hogan's health had significantly deteriorated due to complications from neck surgery he underwent in May.
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