ISTANBUL, July 25 (Bernama-Anadolu) — Professional wrestling legend Hulk Hogan, born Terry Gene Bollea, died on Thursday at the age of 71 in the US state of Florida, Anadolu Ajansi reported.
The Clearwater Police Department said officers and fire personnel responded to a medical emergency involving Hogan in the morning. He was pronounced dead after being transported to a nearby hospital.
There has been no official reason for his death; however, American entertainment news outlet TMZ reported it was due to cardiac arrest.
World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) offered condolences on X. “WWE is saddened to learn WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan has passed away. One of pop culture’s most recognisable figures, Hogan helped WWE achieve global recognition in the 1980s,” it said.
US President Donald Trump paid tribute to Hogan, calling him a “great friend”, and noted his political support. “Hulk Hogan was MAGA all the way — strong, tough, smart, but with the biggest heart,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
Hogan made an appearance at a Trump rally at Madison Square Garden last October. He entered to his iconic Real American theme song, waving an American flag. The wrestler then performed his trademark shirt-ripping act, unveiling a Trump shirt underneath.
Hogan became one of pop culture’s most recognisable figures, helping the WWE achieve global recognition in the 1980s with his “Hulkamania” phenomenon. His six WWE championship reigns included a historic 1,474-day title run, one of the longest in company history.
Hogan’s legendary moments included slamming Andre the Giant at WrestleMania 3 and his shocking heel turn — joining the New World Order (nWo) in World Championship Wrestling (WCW) in 1996.
His 1988 match against André the Giant drew 33 million viewers with a 15.2 Nielsen rating — still an American television wrestling viewership record.
The wrestler main-evented WrestleMania eight times, won two Royal Rumble matches, and held multiple World Heavyweight Championships.
He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame twice — individually in 2005 and as an nWo member in 2020.
Beyond wrestling, Hogan appeared in films including Rocky III and No Holds Barred.
— BERNAMA-ANADOLU