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Here’s where things stand on Thursday 24 July 2025:
- Wrestling legend Hulk Hogan dies aged 71, his representative confirms
- First responders received a call from his Florida home at 10:00 local time over a report of “cardiac arrest”, authorities say – he was pronounced dead at hospital later
- Hogan, whose real name was Terry Bollea, was the biggest professional wrestler of the 80s and 90s and went on to achieve crossover fame
- Tributes from the wrestling world, political sphere and Hollywood have been pouring in, with many remembering him as an “American pop culture fixture”
- Known for red and yellow outfits, “Real American” entrance music, and army of “Hulkamaniac” fans, he continued wrestling well into his 50s
- In 2018, he was reinstated into the WWE Hall of Fame after being ejected for using a racist slur
WWE co-founder calls Hogan a ‘global phenomenon’
“The world lost a treasure today,” Vince McMahon writes of Hogan.
The WWE co-founder and close friend of Hogan says: “Hulk Hogan was the greatest WWE Superstar of all time”.
He describes him as a “trailblazer” and “global phenomenon”.
“His grit and unbridled thirst for success were unparalleled”, he adds.
“He gave everything he had to the audience whom he appreciated, respected and loved.”
McMahon and Hogan had a very public and complicated friendship for decades.
It’s McMahon that started WWE, and helped get Hogan to stardom. However, they also had sour moments, including when Hogan testified against him in an illegal substance case in the 1990s.
The family Hulk Hogan leaves behind
Hulk Hogan is survived by his third wife, Sky Daily, who he married in September 2023.
He leaves behind two adult children Brooke and Nick. The children are from his 26-year marriage to Linda Hogan, which ended in 2009.
They were featured in Hogan Knows Best, a reality television show about their family which ran from 2005 to 2007.
In January, Brooke and her husband Steven Olesky welcomed twins.
From Terry Bollea to Hulk Hogan
Hogan was born as Terry Bollea on 11 August, 1953 in Georgia and was raised in Tampa, Florida.
He was the son of a construction foreman and a dance teacher.
Hogan loved music growing up, and played guitar and bass guitar for several rock bands. One of them, Ruckus, went on to be come a popular act in the Tampa Bay area.
He was eventually tempted by the wrestling scene in the United States. He recounted a story of how he broke his leg on the first day of training in a Vice interview in 2014.
He gained fame in the 1980s and 1990s and eventually became a symbol of WWE – then known as WWF.
Linda McMahon remembers ‘dear friend’
Linda McMahon, who Hogan knew well as she was the co-founder of WWE with her husband Vince, has posted a tribute to the late wrestler.
“I had the privilege of knowing and working with Hulk Hogan for over 40 years,” she writes.
She describes him as a “dear friend” with a wrestling legacy that “will always been remembered”.
“He was one of a kind!”
Linda McMahon is currently the United States Secretary of Education as part of the Trump administration.
Hogan also had strong ties to President Trump, and famously spoke at the Republican National Convention in 2024.
Police release timeline of Hogan’s death
Clearwater Police Department have issued an updated timeline of events surrounding Hogan’s death.
They were first called at 09:51 local time and dispatched within the same minute.
Medical teams arrived on site at 09:56, with the police arriving at 10:23.
He was transported to a Florida hospital at 10:32, and confirmed dead at 11:17.
Wrestling star Sting says Hulk Hogan was ‘greatest of all’
A professional wrestling peer, Sting, shared a tribute to the late Hulk Hogan, calling him a “the greatest of all”.
“Can’t thank you enough for all that you did for me and for wrestling fans all over the world. I loved you and I will miss you. My friend, Terry Bollea, RIP,” Sting, whose real name is Steve Borden, wrote on X.
Wrestling icon The Undertaker remembers Hogan as ‘true legend’
The Undertaker, whose real name is Mark Calaway, has shared a post on X to commemorate his former opponent in the ring, saying he was a “true legend”.
“The wrestling world has lost a true legend. His contributions to our business are immeasurable and for that I am appreciative. Thank you, Hulk Hogan.”
The Undertaker
In the span of both men’s wrestling careers, Hogan and the Undertaker squared off for three televised singles matches.
Hogan’s iconic Wrestlemania moment against Andre the Giant
Wrestling fans will always remember Hulk Hogan’s body slam of Andre the Giant during their WrestleMania III match in 1987.
The two wrestlers faced off in front of more than 93,000 fans in Michigan in what remains one of the most iconic matches in history.
Hogan appeared to struggle with Andre’s overwhelming size and strength for much of the match, but the tide eventually turned when he was able to lift the 2.2m-tall (7ft 4 in) behemoth off his feet and deliver a body slam, retaining the WWF Championship.
The spectacle solidified Hogan’s status and cemented WrestleMania as the biggest event in the industry.
John Cena shares photo of Hulk Hogan
Actor and professional wrestler John Cena posted a tribute to Hulk Hogan on Instagram.
The photo shows Hogan in the ring with Andre the Giant, holding his hair, with his fist cocked and ready to punch.
Cena’s post didn’t include any text, but nearly 2,000 comments have since flooded in with fans sharing their condolences.
‘There was no one like The Hulkster’ – Triple H
Professional wrestler and WWE chief content officer, Triple H, calls Hogan the “archetype” of what it means to be a WWE Superstar.
In other words – “a global sensation that inspired millions to work hard at whatever it was they wanted to accomplish and a look that made him recognizable to fans around the world”.
Otherwise known as Paul Michael Levesque, his tribute labels Hogan as “iconic”.
“There was no one like The Hulkster and there very well may never be another,” he says.
Official statement released on Hogan’s Instagram
“It is with a heavy heart and deep sadness that we confirm we have lost a legend,” a post on Hulk Hogan’s official Instagram account says.
Hogan passed away “surrounded by his loved ones,” it reads.
“At this time of grief, we ask that everyone please respect the privacy of his family and friends.”
He will be missed “but never forgotten”, it adds.
The various controversies of Hogan
Hulk Hogan will be remembered for his wrestling stardom, but also for many, they will remember the various controversies surrounding him.
In 1994, he testified in the case of Vince McMahon, WWE co-founder, after getting immunity from prosecution. The infamous case saw prosecutors accuse McMahon and WWE of providing illegal steroids to wrestlers.
Hogan’s testimony was key in the government losing the case – success for McMahon. But it was seen by some as a betrayal that Hogan even testified against McMahon.
As we reported earlier, Hogan was removed from the WWE Hall of Fame in 2015 over a racist slur he was caught saying on tape. He was reinstated three years later.
In 2024, he took aim at the then vice-President Kamala Harris: “Do you want me to body slam Kamala Harris?” while speaking at an event for his new beer.
A one-off appearance at the start of 2025 saw him receive a deafening amount of boos from the crowd, not the entrance expected for one of the greats of WWE.
From Obama to MAGA: Hulk Hogan’s changing political views
For the 2008 US presidential election, Hulk Hogan endorsed Barack Obama, who would go on to become the first black US president.
But just three years later, like his shirts, Hulk Hogan had ripped apart this support.
“I was a big Obama supporter and kinda believed everything he said he was gonna do,” Hogan told Fox News in 2011. But Obama hadn’t delivered on his campaign promises, he said.
Hogan was also unhappy about Obama opening his 2011 White House Correspondents Dinner speech with Hulk Hogan’s “Real American” song. It was tongue-in-cheek: As the song played, screens showed a copy of Obama’s birth certificate proving that he was born in the United States. False claims that Obama wasn’t American had been promoted by Donald Trump.
By the time of the 2016 election, Hogan had made a hard turn towards Trump, endorsing him then, and again in 2020. He even floated the idea of being Trump’s vice-presidential nominee, and even contemplated running for the White House too.
Last year, he took to the stage at the Republican National Convention, where he once again endorsed Trump, days after he had survived an assassination attempt.
“After everything that’s happened to our country over the past four years, and everything that happened last weekend, I can no longer stay silent,” he said.
“I’m here tonight because I want the world to know that Donald Trump is a real American hero, and I’m proud to support my hero as the next president of this United States.”
Trump says Hulk Hogan was ‘MAGA all the way’
Trump has posted on Truth Social sharing his feelings about Hulk Hogan, who he called “a great friend” and the “Hulkster”.
“Hulk Hogan was MAGA all the way – Strong, tough, smart, but with the biggest heart,” Trump wrote.
“He gave an absolutely electric speech at the Republican National Convention, that was one of the highlights of the entire week. He entertained fans from all over the World, and the cultural impact he had was massive.”
Trump gave his condolences to Hogan’s family and said the wrestler will be missed.
Hogan’s career on the silver screen
Hogan was known for his wrestling, but also starred in several movies.
He began his acting journey in Rocky III (1982), in which he played pro wrestler Thunderlips alongside Sylvester Stallone.
He is also remembered for his performance as the lead character, Rip Thomas, in No Holds Barred (1989).
Hogan also acted in several others during the 1990s, such as Suburban Commando, Mr. Nanny and Santa with Muscles.
‘I wish we had time to mend our friendship’ – Brutus “The Barber” Beefcake
Brutus “The Barber” Beefcake – who once headlined a WCW PPV in a title match against Hogan – has said he is “devastated” by today’s news.
There had been reports of a falling out between the pair in recent years.
“Through the good times and the bad, I always loved my brother Terry!” Brutus says now.
“I only wish we had time to mend our broken friendship before his passing. Until I see you Brother, in the big squared circle in the sky!”
Emergency call was for report of cardiac arrest – police statement
As we’ve reported, first responders arrived at Hogan’s Florida home this morning after an emergency call was made – we now have a little more information on that call.
“The nature of the call was for a cardiac arrest,” the Clearwater Police Department says in a statement.
Police say no suspicious activity related to Hogan’s death
The news conference is already over – it was very short, and no questions were taken.
Clearwater Police Department officer Nate Burnside said emergency services responded to a medical related call this morning just before 10:00 local time, where they found Hulk Hogan experiencing a serious medical related issue.
Hogan was taken to the hospital where he died at 11:17. There will be an investigation, but there is no suspicious activity surrounding his death.
Burnside said no reports will be released today, and asked for the privacy of Hogan’s family to be respected.
Press conference about to start
The Clearwater police and fire departments are about to deliver a press conference on the death of Hulk Hogan.
We’ll bring you text updates here, or you can watch liveat the top of this page. Stay with us.
‘Hulk Hogan was there for me when I nearly lost my dad’ – Charlotte Flair
Charlotte Flair, a WWE wrestler and the most decorated woman in WWE history, writes “rest in peace brother” in tribute to Hogan.
In a post on X, she adds: “When I nearly lost my dad 8 years ago, one of the few people who was there for all of it was Hulk Hogan.”
Her heart breaks for his children, she says.
‘Hogan’s name was synonymous with professional wrestling’
The president of wrestling brand Total Nonstop Action Wrestling has said he is “saddened” to learn of Hulk Hogan’s passing.
“Hogan’s name was synonymous with professional wrestling, transcending the industry to become an American pop culture fixture,” Carlos Silva says in a post on X.
“My condolences go out to his fans, friends and family.”
The post is accompanied by a black and white image of Hulk Hogan accompanied by dates “1953-2025”.
Sylvester Stallone: Hogan made Rocky III ‘incredibly special’
Sylvester Stallone pays tribute to Hulk Hogan, saying the wrestler was “absolutely wonderful and his amazing skill made Rocky three incredibly special”.
“My heart breaks,” he says on Instagram.
Hogan acted alongside Stallone in the 1982 movie Rocky III.
Vance says he had plans to go for a beer with Hogan
“Hulk Hogan was a great American icon,” writes Vice-President JD Vance.
He says the professional wrestler was “one of the first people I ever truly admired as a kid”.
In a post on X, he continues: “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.”
‘Hulkamania never dies’
John “Bradshaw” Layfield, Smackdown champion, writes on X that Hulk Hogan was one of the reasons the wrestling star got into the sport.
“Hulk was always so nice to me,” he says.
“There will never be another. Hulkamania never dies.”
‘We are heartbroken’ – Hogan’s representative
Hulk Hogan’s representative, Linda Bose, confirms that he has died.
Speaking to CBS News, she says: “Unfortunately we must confirm that Terry Bollea, aka Hulk Hogan passed away this morning.
“We are heartbroken. He was such a great human being and friend.”
Trump Jr pays tribute to ‘legend’ Hulk Hogan
In a short X post, Donald Trump Jr, son of the US president, says “R.I.P to a legend”.
The post is accompanied by a selfie featuring the pair at the 2024 Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Hogan spoke on stage at the convention and other events in support of Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign.
‘One of pop culture’s most recognizable figures,’ WWE says
In a statement World Wrestling Entertainment says it’s “saddened to learn WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan has passed away”.
Describing Hogan as “one of pop culture’s most recognizable figures”, it says “Hogan helped WWE achieve global recognition in the 1980s”.
“WWE extends its condolences to Hogan’s family, friends, and fans,” the post concludes.
I am absolutely shocked, says wrestler Ric Flairpublished at 18:2318:23
Wrestling legend Ric Flair has paid tribute to his close friend Hulk Hogan, saying he is “absolutely shocked” to hear about his death.
“An incredible athlete, talent, friend and father,” he says in a post on X. “Our friendship has meant the world to me.”
Hulkster, no one will ever compare to you. Rest in peace my friend.”
Ric Flair
Wrestling’s first superstar
Hulk Hogan is arguably the most famous name in professional wrestling history.
Born Terry Boella in 1953, Hogan dominated the professional wrestling world throughout the 80s and 90s before expanding into films, and later reality TV.
Joining the World Wrestling Federation (now World Wrestling Entertainment, WWE) in 1979 but leaving shortly after in 1981, Hogan headlined the first WrestleMania in New York in 1985, where he and Mr T defeated Paul Orndorff and Roddy Piper.
Throughout the 90s, Hogan’s popularity transcended the wrestling ring, appearing in films including Mr Nanny and Suburban Commando.
It was a surprise to no-one when Hogan was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005 (he would later be inducted again in 2020 as a member of the NWO), but he was removed from the hall in 2015 when his WWE contract was terminated after a tape of him emerged using a racist slur.
In 2018, the company reinstated him, saying he deserved a second chance, but several WWE superstars, including the New Day and Titus O’Neil, said it would be “difficult to simply forget” what Hogan had said.
In recent years, Hogan had appeared at Trump rallies and on the US election campaign trail last year.
Hogan was booed by the crowd at his most recent WWE appearance, when he appeared on the company’s flagship Monday Night Raw programme to promote his beer brand.
Hulk Hogan’s life in pictures
Hulk Hogan dies aged 71 – World Wrestling Entertainment
Professional wrestler Hulk Hogan has died at the age of 71, the WWE confirms.
Stick with us as we bring updates on this developing story.