Hulk Hogan Dies at 71 after Heart Attack Months after Public Baptism
Wrestling icon, actor, and professing Christian Hulk Hogan, whose real name is Terry "Gene" Bollea, passed away Thursday at the age of 71 following a "cardiac arrest." According to TMZ, Medics were dispatched to Hogan's Clearwater, Florida home, and he was later rushed to a hospital where he was pronounced dead.
The news was also confirmed by World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), where Hogan was a mainstay as the face of the company in the 1980s.
"WWE is saddened to learn WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan has passed away. One of pop culture's most recognizable figures, Hogan helped WWE achieve global recognition in the 1980s," WWE posted on Thursday.
"WWE extends its condolences to Hogan's family, friends, and fans."
WWE is saddened to learn WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan has passed away.
— WWE (@WWE) July 24, 2025
One of pop culture’s most recognizable figures, Hogan helped WWE achieve global recognition in the 1980s.
WWE extends its condolences to Hogan’s family, friends, and fans.
Police are expected to provide additional details at a press conference later on Thursday.
The news of Hogan's death comes after his wife, Sky, shot down rumors he was in a coma, contending that his heart was "strong" following his recovery from surgeries.
Hogan, born August 11, 1953, in Augusta, Georgia, was a key figure in transforming professional wrestling into a family-friendly entertainment sport. His iconic performances and feuds with other wrestlers, including Ultimate Warrior and Randy Savage, are still remembered today.
He is also remembered for body slamming Andre the Giant at WrestleMania III.
The legendary Hulk Hogan ❤️💛 pic.twitter.com/3daG7IDznf
— WWE (@WWE) July 24, 2025
In 1996, Hogan grew in prominence after transforming himself from hero to villain in the creation of the New World Order (NWO), a wrestling group consisting of himself, Kevin Nash, and Scott Hall in the rival company World Championship Wrestling (WCW).
He later returned to the WWE in 2002, where he had an iconic match with wrestler-turned-actor Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson at Wrestlemania X8. Despite being inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005, Hogan was removed in 2015 after a video surfaced showing him making racist comments during a sexual encounter. Hogan would receive a second Hall of Fame induction in 2020 as a member of the NWO. He was also a six-time WWF/WWE Champion.
Hogan, a professing Christian, and his wife were baptized at the Indian Rocks Baptist Church in Largo, Florida, in December 2023. During an interview with the 700 Club last April, he said how the baptism, which he described as the "greatest moment of my life," marked a "major pivot" in his life and that now he's "all in" with God.
Despite becoming a Christian at 14 years old, Hogan admitted, "I derailed."
"[Christ] has given me the opportunity to prove that I'm faithful, and I'll never make those same mistakes again," Hogan said. "Going back to my faith, the momentum was overwhelming. There was nothing stopping me."
WATCH: Hulk Hogan Pins Down Faith
Outside wrestling, Hogan had a successful movie career, starring in films such as "Rocky III" as the iconic character Thunderlips. He also starred in "No Holds Barred," "Suburban Commando," and "Mr. Nanny."
He also appeared at the 2024 Republican National Convention, where he delivered an impassioned speech in support of then-presidential candidate, President Donald Trump.
Hogan, alongside his family, his first wife Linda, and their children Nick and Brooke, starred in "Hogan Knows Best," a popular VH1 reality show, which ran from 2005 to 2007.
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment Group/Contributor
Originally published July 24, 2025.
