Hulk Hogan dead at 71: WWE icon passes away in Florida as cause of death revealed

Wrestling legend Hulk Hogan has died aged 71.

The WWE icon, real name Terry Gene Bollea, passed away early Thursday morning after medics were dispatched to his Clearwater, Florida home, DailyMail.com can confirm.

911 operators dispatched paramedics to the scene just before 10am as they noted the matter pertained to a cardiac arrest in the disturbing audio of the call.

A Clearwater Police Department spokesman said in a statement: 'Clearwater Fire Department and Clearwater Police Department personnel responded to a medical call at 9:51 a.m. today in the 1000 block of Eldorado Avenue on Clearwater Beach. 

'The nature of the call was for a cardiac arrest. A 71-year-old resident, Terry Bollea, also known as Hulk Hogan, was treated by Clearwater Fire & Rescue crews before being taken by Sunstar to Morton Plant Hospital, where he was pronounced deceased.'

Police cars and EMTs were parked outside Hogan's home in the immediate aftermath of the emergency, with the reality star carried onto an stretcher and into an ambulance.

The shock death comes just weeks after his wife Sky denied rumors he was on his deathbed in a coma - and claimed his heart was 'strong' after he underwent a routine neck surgery. 

Hogan is survived by his third wife Sky Daily, who he wed in 2023, children Brooke, 37, and Nick, 34, who he shared with first wife Linda Claridge, and two grandchildren.

Hulk Hogan's representative, Linda Bose, confirmed his death to CBS NEWS, saying: 'Unfortunately we must confirm that Terry Bollea, aka Hulk Hogan passed away this morning.

'We are heartbroken. He was such a great human being and friend.'

The Clearwater Police Department confirmed Hogan was ;experiencing a serious medical related issue' at died at 11.17am. There are no signs of foul play or suspicious activity and an investigation into the death is underway.

His representative said in a statement last month: 'He's had problems with his back for years but there’s no emergency.'

Hogan had previously opened up about undergoing '25 surgeries in the past decade.' 

Speaking on Jake Paul’s IMPAULSIVE podcast last year, he said: 'Ten of them were back surgeries. I've had both knees and hips replaced, shoulders — everything.'

Fans were left concerned for Hogan when he appeared as a special guest on Fox & Friends at the start of May while sporting a worrying new look.

Renowned for his deep tan, the WWE great's skin looked particularly weathered on air, while his usual white beard appeared to be dyed black despite his goatee and hair being left white - making for a strange contrast.

One viewer wrote online: 'Tell Hulk Hogan his face is dirty, clean that soot off.'

Another said: 'Does anyone believe this is Hulk Hogan?'

A third added: 'Hulk Hogan giving off Wooly Willy vibes this am on Fox & Friends.'

The odd TV cameo came just over a month after his family became embroiled in a bitter public dispute after ex-wife Linda accused him of being 'complete liar' and 'sex addict'.

In the 1980s, Hogan - known for his signature mustache and headscarf - was the driving force behind WWE's rise from a regional promotion around New York to an international brand.

Hogan kickstarted 'Hulkamania' after defeating the Iron Sheik for the World Heavyweight Championship in 1984.

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

Hogan 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.

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. 

Hogan´s public persona transcended the ring, making him a household name. He appeared in numerous movies - including the third Rocky film in 1982, where he played wrestler Thunderlips, who took on Stallone's protagonist.

Hogan later claimed the role had got him fired from the WWF - saying: 'Back then, ‘78, ‘79, if you were a wrestler, you didn’t do TV. You didn’t go do a movie.'

The star reportedly put three men in the hospital while filming his fight scene. 

But his legacy was tainted when he was chucked out of the WWE in 2015 after a tape surfaced of him making racist remarks, including the use of the n-word. 

In a video made public by The National Enquirer, Hogan said: 'I guess we're all a little racist' and used the n-word while referring to his daughter's love life, and includes him repeating the phrase 'f***ing n******' several times.

According to Radar, the audio featured him using a number of racist remarks in a rant about his daughter Brooke who was trying to launch a music career, to Heather Clem, the wife of a friend.

He is reported to have said that 'a black billionaire guy' had offered to bankroll her, then speculated about her sex life'.

Hogan told Clem: 'I don't know if Brooke was f***ing the black guy's son... I mean, I don't have double standards.

'I mean, I am a racist, to a point, f***ing n******. But then when it comes to nice people and s***, and whatever.'

He continued: 'I mean, I'd rather if she was going to f*** some n*****, I'd rather have her marry an 8-foot-tall n***** worth a hundred million dollars! Like a basketball player!

'I guess we're all a little racist. F***ing n*****.'

Back in 2015, Hogan told Good Morning America he was at an all-time low as he begged his former legion of fans to take him back.

'Please forgive me,' the 12-time world champ pleaded - both to America as a whole and to his daughter Brooke Hogan, whose boyfriend was the focus of the then 62 year old's racist tirade.

'If anybody should have disowned me it should have been her,' said Hogan. 'I was upset about something that happened between her and her boyfriend.'

Apologizing at the time, he told outlet People: '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 apologize for having done it.'

He would then in 2023 describe the controversy as 'a speed bump' and claimed it was 'not who I was'

He was banished from WWE for three years before being welcomed back into the Hall of fame in 2018, having described the incident as the 'biggest mistake' of his life but many were not happy with his 'apology' when he was brought back.

In 2016, a Florida jury awarded Hogan $115 million in his sex tape lawsuit against Gawker Media. Hogan sued after Gawker in 2012 posted a video of him having sex with his former best friend´s wife. Hogan contended the post violated his privacy. 

More recently, Hogan became a celebrity endorser for Trump's presidential campaign in the United States, which he went on to win.

In January, Hogan ripped off his sleeves on Fox News as he went full 'Trumpamania' at the inaugural ball.

In the wake of Hogan's death, vice president JD Vance hailed the wrestler as a 'great American icon'.

He wrote: 'One of the first people I ever truly admired as a kid. 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.'

Tributes from the sports world poured in for the man who transcended wrestling to become a 1980s pop culture icon.

Donald Trump Jr posted to X, 'R.I.P to a legend' and added a selfie of himself with the wrestling star. 

Fellow wrestling icon Ric Flair wrote, '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!'

Former MLB pitcher John Rocker posted, 'A patriot, and a true American. RIP Hulk Hogan.'

The official X account from the WWE said, '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.' 

Ric's daughter, former WWE women's world champion Charlotte Flair also posted a tribute: 'When I nearly lost my dad 8 years ago, one of the few people who was there for all of it was Hulk Hogan. My heart breaks for Nick and Brooke. Rest in peace, brother.' 

The WWE said it was '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.'

Former MLB pitcher John Rocker posted, 'A patriot, and a true American. RIP Hulk Hogan.'

'Prayers up for the family, friends and loved ones of Hulk Hogan who has passed away at 71 years old,' wrote former NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III. 

Other tributes reflected some of the more unsavory parts of Hogan's legacy: including allegations of racism, 

The Athletic's Chris Vannini remarked, 'Hulk Hogan leaves such a complicated legacy. He changed the entertainment business. He changed the journalism business. He did bad things and good things. One of the two greatest pro wrestlers ever, and he never stopped selling the gimmick.'

Along with his health issues, Hogan was embroiled in family drama in his last few months as ex Linda  claimed the family is 'in the worst mess' after daughter Brooke cut both parents out of her life,

Brooke's husband has also taken sly shots at his wife's parents while leaping to her defense in the midst of the bitter family feud.

Hogan was married to second wife Jennifer McDaniel from 2010 to 2021.