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LAST UPDATE | 24 Jul 2025
FORMER PROFESSIONAL WRESTLER Hulk Hogan has died at the age of 71.
The American, whose given name is Terry Bollea, was perhaps the most famous wrestler in the United States across several decades.
He was the best-known performer as part of World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) before he left the organisation in the mid-90s to focus on TV and film work.
However he was tempted back into the ring by Ted Turner’s rival operation, the WCW, and famously ‘turned heel’ for a successful career as a wrestling ‘baddie’, leading the New World Order (NWO) group in the mid-1990s.
TMZ Sports was the first to report Hogan’s death this afternoon, with Donald Trump Jr among the first to offer sympathies.
Known for his towering physique, bandana and distinctive blond handlebar moustache, he died at his home in Florida, NBC News reported, citing his manager Chris Volo.
WWE also confirmed the news online:
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 extends its condolences to Hogan’s family, friends, and fans.
Hogan maintained a presence across US cultural life in recent decades and he famously sued Gawker Media for publishing a video showing him having sex with his then-best friend’s wife.
The lawsuit awarded him $115 million and led to the clsure of the news outlet before it was revealed that Silicon Valley billionaire Peter Thiel had funded Hogan’s case as part of an effort to drive Gawker out of business.
In 2015, Hogan apologised after tapes from 2007 were revealed as part of that lawsuit in which he was recorded using racist language. Hogan’s outburst included use of the N-word and it caused him to be fired from WWE.
“Eight years ago I used offensive language during a conversation. It was unacceptable for me to have used that offensive language; there is no excuse for it and I apologise for having done it,” he said at the time.
Hogan was also a long-time supporter of Donald Trump and spoke at last year’s Republican National Convention, introducing Trump on stage.
Paying tribute to Hogan in a post on Truth Social, Trump described him as a “great friend” and “MAGA all the way.”
“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,” he said.
Former professional wrestlers have also been paying tribute on social media. Mark Calaway, known as The Undertaker, said Hogan’s contributions to wrestling “are immeasurable and for that I am appreciative”.
Paul Levesque, or Triple H, said that no one “loomed larger” in WWE than Hogan.
“He was the archetype of what it meant to be a “Superstar” – 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,” he wrote.
“There was no one like The Hulkster and there very well may never be another.”
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