Terry Gene Bollea, otherwise known as wrestling legend Hulk Hogan, has died at age 71, World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) confirmed on Thursday morning.
“WWE is saddened to learn WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan has passed away,” said the organization on X. “One of pop culture’s most recognizable figures, Hogan helped WWE achieve global recognition in the 1980s.”
TMZ first broke the news at 8:36 a.m. on Thursday, reporting that medics were dispatched to the area of the WWE Hall of Famer’s home in Clearwater, Florida, for a possible cardiac arrest.
The Clearwater Fire Department later confirmed the pro-wrestler’s death.
Another legendary wrestler, Ric Flair, also took to X to state his condolences.
“Hulk has been by my side since we started in the wrestling business,” he wrote on X. “An incredible athlete, talent, friend, and father! Our friendship has meant the world to me. He was always there for me even when I didn’t ask for him to be. He was one of the first to visit me when I was in the hospital with a 2% chance of living, and he prayed by my bedside. Hulk also lent me money when Reid was sick. Hulkster, no one will ever compare to you! Rest in peace my friend!”
A flood of social media posts followed immediately after the announcement, including mentions from Donald Trump Jr., Joe Rogan, John Cena, Mario Lopez and more.
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FILE – Hulk Hogan fires up the crowd between matches during WrestleMania 21 in Los Angeles, April 3, 2005. As WrestleMania approaches 40, it’s never been bigger.(AP Photo/Chris Carlson, File) -
FILE – World Wrestling Federation heavyweight champion Hulk Hogan, left, and Mr. T. appear at a news conference on March 18, 1985, in New York’s Madison Square Garden. (AP Photo/Corey Struller, File) -
FILE – Cyndi Lauper with Hulk Hogan appear at the 27th Annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, on Feb. 26, 1985. (AP Photo, File) -
FILE – Muhammad Ali, left, Liberace, center, and Hulk Hogan get together at Madison Square Garden in preparation for their upcoming wrestling event, March 29, 1985, in New York. Ali was guest referee and Liberace time keeper when Hulk Hogan and Mr. T, of A-Team fame, were pitted against Rowdy Roddy Piper and Paul (Mr. Wonderful) Orndorff. (AP Photo/Marty Lederhandler, File) -
FILE – Hollywood Hulk Hogan puts a choke hold on the neck of Utah Jazz basketball star Karl Malone at a pay-per-view wrestling match July 12, 1998 in San Diego. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi, File) -
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Sylvester Stallone pays homage to Hulk Hogan after his passing was announced on July 24, 2025. (Photo: Sly Stallone/ Instagram) -
HERSHEY, PENNSYLVANIA- OCTOBER 31: Hulk Hogan interviews Andre the Giant behind the scenes during Saturday Night’s Main Event on October 31, 1985 at the Hershey Park Arena in Hershey, Pennsylvania. (Photo by WWE/WWE via Getty Images) -
IMAGE DISTRIBUTED FOR WWE – Dwayne Johnson aka The Rock, left, embraces Hulk Hogan, center, as “Stone Cold” Steve Austin looks on during Wrestlemania XXX at the Mercedes-Benz Super Dome in New Orleans on Sunday, April 6, 2014. (Jonathan Bachman/AP Images for WWE) -
FILE – Pro-wrestler Terry Bollea, better known as Hulk Hogan, and 6-year-old actress Madeline Zima wait for the directors cue while filming on the set of the comedy “Mr. Nanny,” June 11, 1992, Miami, Florida. Hogan plays Sean Armstrong, a former wrestler hired to protect two wealthy children. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens, File) -
Hulk Hogan stands on stage before Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump at a campaign rally at Madison Square Garden, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
At 9:37 a.m., Vice President JD Vance posted his thoughts on X. “Hulk Hogan was a great American icon. One of the first people I ever truly admired as a kid,” read Vance’s 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.”
The “Rocky” movie franchise creator and star, Sylvester Stallone, took to Instagram to share his sympathies, saying, “I have the pleasure of meeting this brilliant personality and showman when he was 26 years old. He was absolutely wonderful and his amazing skill made Rocky three incredibly special. My heart breaks. I think that he’s gone…”
Another WWE legend, Brutus “The Barber” Beefcake, shared a video on Instagram with the caption reading, “This is the very last time I saw my Brother Terry. I’m heartbroken we weren’t able to put things back together. Until we meet again Terry, I will hold you in my thoughts and prayers!”
Around 10:40 a.m., WWE wrestler-turned-chief-content-officer Paul “Triple H” Levesque posted photos to Instagram. “WWE would not be where it is today without the larger-than-life characters that compete in the ring … and few, if any, loomed larger than Terry ‘Hulk Hogan’ Bollea,” read Triple H’s caption.
President Donald Trump joined in the conversation on his social media platform Truth Social with the following statement:
“We lost a great friend today, the “Hulkster.” Hulk Hogan was MAGA all the way — Strong, tough, smart, but with the biggest heart. 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. To his wife, Sky, and family, we give our warmest best wishes and love. Hulk Hogan will be greatly missed!“
According to multiple media reports, ‘The Hulkster’ underwent neck fusion surgery in May. A relatively minor procedure, as Sports Illustrated reported “procedures are nothing new for Hogan.” However, despite recent rumors regarding Hogan’s declining health, legendary manager Jimmy Hart, who worked alongside Hogan for years, publicly pushed back against the speculations, saying Hogan was instead recovering well. On July 22, two days before the WWE star’s death, Hart said on X, “Hulk is doing great, doing phenomenal! Last night at karaoke with Nick was absolutely fantastic, baby!!!”
TMZ Sports did not say what source alerted them of Hogan’s death, and as of 9 a.m., no family members have spoken publicly about the loss.
“WWE extends its condolences to Hogan’s family, friends, and fans,” concluded WWE’s social media statement.
Christine Samra and Nidia Becerra contributed to this report.