The wrestling icon was a fitness inspiration in the 1980s.
Last updated on July 24th, 2025
Professional wrestling icon Hulk Hogan, real name Terry Bollea, died on July 24, 2025, at 71. News of Hogan’s passing spread throughout social media, and WWE confirmed it later that day. Reports indicate Hogan passed away due to cardiac arrest, but no confirmed cause of death has been announced at the time of this article’s publication.
According to TMZ, police and medical personnel were at Hogan’s home in Clearwater, FL, early that morning and wheeled him out on a stretcher. He was confirmed dead at the hospital.
The professional wrestling legend had faced numerous health issues in recent months, including having surgery in May. Various reports spread about his health since then — his wife denied rumors that Hogan was in a coma.
About Hulk Hogan
Terry Bollea was born on Aug. 11, 1953. He entered the pro wrestling industry in the 1970s.
Initially a heel (or bad guy) character, Hogan’s immense 6’8”, 330-pound physique made him one of the most prominent wrestlers in the industry. He had early rivalries against the late Andre the Giant before shifting focus to Hollywood.
Hogan’s star rose when he was featured as Thunderlips in Rocky III. During this time, he won the IWGP World Championship in Japan against fellow legend Antonio Inoki.
Upon returning to the United States, Hogan emerged in the American Wrestling Association under Verne Gagne. Despite a growing fanbase, Hogan never became the organization’s world champion.
In late 1983, Hogan rejoined the World Wrestling Federation (later WWE). In early 1984, Hogan defeated the Iron Sheik to win his first world title, launching “Hulkamania” in the process.
Hogan held the championship for four years, leading the wrestling industry to a level of popularity never before seen while flexing his “24-inch pythons.” His signature “training, saying your prayers, and eating your vitamins” made him a popular fitness figure.
Many videos and vignettes of Hogan training captivated his Hulkamaniacs. Hogan’s popularity peaked in the early days of Wrestlemania, headlining the first nine events, including Wrestlemania III, where he bodyslammed Andre the Giant in one of the industry’s most iconic moments.
Hogan’s other prominent rivalries included “Rowdy” Roddy Piper, “Macho Man” Randy Savage, and various others led by manager Bobby “The Brain” Heenan.
Hogan eventually joined WCW in 1994 and recreated himself as a heel in 1996 as part of the New World Order (NWO). This reinvention as “Hollywood” Hogan led to even more success in the 90s.
By 2000, Hogan was out of WCW, rejoined the WWE in 2002, where he won his last of 13 total world championships at age 49. He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005.
Hogan’s remained in pop culture with his reality show Hogan Knows Best and occasional appearances in WWE. In recent years, he promoted his Real American Beer products and made sporadic media appearances before facing health issues.
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Featured image via Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock
