Terry Gene Bollea was the face of pro wrestling as the entertainment form took off in the 1980s.

Pro wrestling legend Hulk Hogan, whose charisma and shirt-ripping showmanship brought the theatrical sports genre to new heights of mainstream popularity, died Thursday in Florida, officials said.

He was 71.

Clearwater police and firefighters rushed to his home to answer a “cardiac arrest” call at 9:51 a.m., the city said in a statement.

First responders took him to Morton Plant Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 11:17 a.m., Police Maj. Nate Burnside told reporters.

While police will investigate, “there are no signs of foul play or suspicious activity related to this call for service,” Burnside said.

Hogan died surrounded by loved ones, according to a statement posted to his Instagram account that also called Hogan a “legend.”

“May we all take solace in the wonderful memories he left behind for the millions of fans worldwide whose lives he touched for more than four decades,” the statement said. “He will be missed, but never forgotten.”

World Wrestling Entertainment said it “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 extends its condolences to Hogan’s family, friends, and fans.”

The league’s co-founder echoed that sentiment.

“The world lost a treasure today,” former WWE Chairman Vince McMahon posted on X. “Hulk Hogan was the greatest WWE Superstar of ALL TIME, someone who was loved and admired around the world. He was a trailblazer, the first performer who transitioned from being a wrestling star into a global phenomenon.

“His grit and unbridled thirst for success were unparalleled — and made him the consummate performer. He gave everything he had to the audience whom he appreciated, respected and loved.”


Hogan had become a fixture in Republican politics in recent years and appeared at last year’s GOP convention, ripping open his shirt to hype Donald Trump’s presidential campaign.

“We lost a great friend today, the ‘Hulkster.’ Hulk Hogan was MAGA all the way — Strong, tough, smart, but with the biggest heart,” Trump said in a statement on Truth Social.

“He entertained fans from all over the World, and the cultural impact he had was massive.”

Vice President JD Vance said he vividly recalled how much fun he had watching Hogan perform in his childhood.

“Hulk Hogan was a great American icon. One of the first people I ever truly admired as a kid,” Vance said in a statement.

“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.”

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis told reporters that Hogan’s passing will strike an emotional chord for an entire generation.

“I was sad to see the news that Hulk Hogan passed away today. He was a major icon for anybody in GenX,” DeSantis said.

“So I was really sad to see that, and our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and people throughout this region of Florida, because I know so many people cared about him.”


Hogan also played a huge role in the demise of the popular news and gossip website Gawker.com.

He won a $140 million invasion-of-privacy lawsuit in 2016 against the New York City site — a lawsuit funded by tech billionaire Peter Thiel — after it posted graphic video of him having sex with the wife of a friend, shock jock Bubba the Love Sponge Clem.

Gawker shut down months after the devastating verdict.

Hogan — whose real name was Terry Gene Bollea — earned fame for his theatrical wrestling performances.