Legendary WWE Icon Hulk Hogan Dies at 71 Following Cardiac Arrest
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Date & Age: Terry Gene Bollea, known globally as Hulk Hogan, passed away on Thursday, July 24, 2025, at the age of 71 .
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Cause: Emergency services responded to a 911 call from his home in Clearwater, Florida. He suffered cardiac arrest, reportedly following recent surgeries—including neck and heart procedures
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Family: Hogan is survived by his wife, Sky Daily, whom he married in 2023, and his two children: Brooke and Nick Bollea .
🥇 Wrestling Career & Cultural Impact
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Rise to Fame: Hogan began wrestling professionally in 1977. He skyrocketed to superstardom after signing with the WWF (now WWE) in 1983 .
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Hulkamania & Pop Culture Icon: His persona—muscle-bound, charismatic, delivering shouted mantras like “Whatcha gonna do, brother?” and entering to “Real American”—appealed to millions of fans and played a major role in making WWE a cultural phenomenon.
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WrestleMania & Major Matches:
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Headlined the inaugural WrestleMania I (March 31, 1985), teaming with Mr. T
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Iconically body‑slammed André the Giant at WrestleMania III (1987)—a seminal moment often cited as “the body‑slam heard ’round the world”
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Championships & Shifts: Six-time WWF/E Champion; also six-time WCW Champion. In the mid‑1990s, he famously turned heel to form the New World Order (nWo) in WCW, marking another dominant era
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Hall of Fame: First inducted in 2005; removed in 2015 during backlash over racist remarks; reinstated in 2020.
🎬 Beyond the Ring
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Acting Roles:
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Portrayed “Thunderlips” in Rocky III (1982), starred in No Holds Barred (1989), Suburban Commando (1991), and Mr. Nanny (1993)
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Television Success: Led the VH1 reality series Hogan Knows Best (2005–07); made guest appearances on The A‑Team, Baywatch, SNL, Tonight Show .
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Business Ventures: Co‑founded the “Real American Freestyle” wrestling venture in April 2025 and launched “Real American” beer in 2024—his final entrepreneurial efforts before passing
⚖️ Controversies & Health
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Legal Battles:
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In 1990, settled a lawsuit after he rendered comedian Richard Belzer unconscious on live TV during a WWF appearance.
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Won a landmark $140 million legal victory against Gawker in 2016 over publication of a sex tape—though it later settled for $31 million.
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Racist Remarks & WWE Fallout: Fired from WWE in 2015 after a released tape contained racial slurs; apologized publicly and was later reinstated .
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Health Issues:
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Over his career, endured 20+ surgeries—particularly for his back and neck .
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In early/mid-2025, underwent neck and serious cardiac procedures; though his wife Sky reiterated his recovery was on track, his passing came days later
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🌍 Tributes & Legacy
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WWE released a statement mourning “one of pop culture’s most recognizable figures”
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Fellow wrestlers like Ric Flair led the heartfelt tributes, expressing deep shock and grief at the loss
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Fans worldwide remembered his fight for justice, in both ring contests and high-profile court cases, and his unstoppable spirit of “Hulkamania”.
📘 Summary
Terry “Hulk Hogan” Bollea’s journey from an aspiring athlete to the face of global professional wrestling defined generations. With unforgettable charisma, dramatic rivalries, cinematic flair, and business ambition, he shaped an industry. His life was marked by triumph, scandal, resilience, and reinvention. Hogan’s passing marks the end of an era—yet his legacy remains etched in wrestling lore and beyond.