Police Release Details On Hulk Hogan's Death

Updated: Thursday, 3:58 p.m.

CLEARWATER, FL — Wrestling legend Hulk Hogan died Thursday morning while at his Clearwater home, according to a statement published on his Facebook profile. He was 71.

"It is with a heavy heart and deep sadness that we confirm we have lost a legend. Our beloved Terry Bollea, known worldwide as Hulk Hogan, passed away today surrounded by his loved ones," the statement read.

"At this time of grief, we ask that everyone please respect the privacy of his family and friends. 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. He will be missed, but never forgotten."

Emergency medical technicians responded to Hogan's home for a report of a cardiac arrest just before 10 a.m., police said. He was treated for a "serious medical issue" by Clearwater Fire and Rescue crews before being taken by Sunstar to Morton Plant Hospital, where he died at 11:17 a.m.

Major Nate Burnside with the Clearwater Police Department told reporters the death will be investigated, which is standard, but there is no sign of foul play or suspicious activity.

• Related: Remembering Hulk Hogan, WWE Wrestling Star, In Photos

Recent rumors swirled that Hogan had been in a coma, but his family denied the claims, TMZ Sports reported. There was also hearsay last month that he had been on his deathbed, though not confirmed at the time, the media outlet reported.

Hogan was born in Augusta, Georgia. He started wrestling in the 1970s and rose to fame after joining the World Wrestling Federation in 1983, according to his biography.

His catchphrase, “Whatcha gonna do when Hulkamania runs wild on you,” became widely known in households.

Hogan was perhaps the biggest star in WWE’s long history. He was the main draw for the first WrestleMania in 1985 and was a fixture for years, facing everyone from Andre The Giant and Randy Savage to The Rock and even company chairman Vince McMahon.

He won at least six WWE championships and was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005.

Hogan's Own Brand of Passion

He was a flag-waving American hero with the horseshoe mustache, red and yellow gear and massive arms he called his “24-inch pythons.” Crowds were hysterical when he ripped off his T-shirt in the ring — a trademark move — revealing a tan, sculpted body.

Hogan was also a celebrity outside the wrestling world, appearing in numerous movies and television shows, including a reality show about his life on VH1, “Hogan Knows Best.”

In recent years, Hogan added his celebrity to politics. At the 2024 Republican National Convention, he merged classic WWE maneuvers with then-candidate Donald Trump’s rhetoric to passionately endorse him for president.

“Let Trumpamania run wild brother! Let Trumpamania rule again! Let Trumpamania make America great again!” Hogan shouted into the raucous crowd.

He ripped off a T-shirt emblazoned with a picture of himself on a motorcycle to reveal a bright red Trump-Vance campaign shirt underneath. Trump stood to applaud the move.

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

The White House shared a tribute photo of Trump and Hogan embracing one another with a handshake alongside the caption, "Hulk Hogan will be greatly missed!"

Hogan lately began to invest in alternatives to theatrical, professional wrestling, announcing plans in April to serve as the first commissioner for the Real American Freestyle organization, which describes itself as “the first unscripted pro wrestling” leagues in the world. The first event will be on Aug. 30 at Cleveland State University.

“The idea was so exciting that I get a chance to be involved with all these young people and help guide them in any way, especially to make them huge stars and create a future for them,” Hogan said. “People might be surprised, but wrestling is wrestling, brother.”

Wrestling Accolades

"Hulkamaniancs," as he lovingly called his fanbase, watched as he helped debut WWF's inaugural Wrestlemania, gracing the wrestling ring in eight of the first nine events. He became the first wrestler "to win consecutive Royal Rumble matches," according to his IMBD biography.

Other accolades included winning six WWE Championships, according to his WWE biography.

From hero to villain, Hogan switched gears when he formed New World Order and joined World Championship Wrestling in the 1990s. He was then known as Hollywood Hulk Hogan.

At WCW, he won the WCW World Heavyweight Championship six times and held the record for the longest reign, propelling WWE's league rival, according to his IMDB biography.

Before retiring, he became the Undisputed WWF Championship and also lent his talents to the American Wrestling Association, New Japan Pro-Wrestling and Total Nonstop Action Wrestling. He won the first IWGP Heavyweight Championship, IMDB reported.

He was first inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005 before a second induction as a nWo member in 2020.

In January 2024, Patch reported Hogan saved a teenage girl from a car using a ballpoint pen to puncture her airbag in Clearwater. He and wife Sky were leaving dinner in Tampa when her car flipped in front of them.

The star's ties to Florida were solidified when he was baptized in December 2023 at a Pinellas County church.

Hogan was at the center of an invasion of privacy lawsuit against Gawker over the leak of his sex tape, Forbes reported in November 2016. He settled for $31 million.

Other notable public figures who died this week were "The Cosby Show's" Malcolm-Jamal Warner and English singer-songwriter Ozzy Osbourne.

Tributes poured in Thursday on X from some of the wrestling community's most significant stars, including:

Ric Flair: "I Am Absolutely Shocked To Hear About The Passing Of My Close Friend @HulkHogan! Hulk Has Been By My Side Since We Started In The Wrestling Business. 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!"

Kane: "Hulk Hogan was a true legend. I was fortunate to work with him a couple of times ... It was easy to do a Hulkster impersonation when, like millions of guys my age, I'd practiced it in the mirror a thousand times growing up."

Kurt Angle: "R.I.P Hulkster, thank you for opening up doors for so many people in the business including myself. There would not be a Kurt Angle, without the American Made, Hulk Hogan. My heart and prayers go out to his family. We lost a real icon today."

Undertaker: "The wrestling world has lost a true legend. His contributions to our business are immeasurable and for that I am appreciative. Thank you, Hulk Hogan."

Sting: "HULK HOGAN - THE GREATEST OF ALL. Can’t thank you enough for all that you did for me and for wrestling fans all over the world. I loved you and I will miss you. My friend, Terry Bollea, RIP"

Triple H: "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. 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. Hulk Hogan, clad in red and yellow or nWo black and white, was simply put, iconic. As a Real American or the leader of one of the industry’s biggest factions, he transcended and elevated the entire business to heights never before seen - in every country and on every continent. There was no one like The Hulkster and there very well may never be another. My family sends their condolences to his family, friends, and fans."

The Miz: "When I was a kid I ate my vitamins, said my prayers because Hulk Hogan told me to. He was someone I looked up to; a larger-than-life presence I copied constantly growing up. The voice, flexing, charisma, he made you want to be bold, loud, confident. RIP, Hulk Hogan."

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