Wrestling legend Hulk Hogan has passed away at the age of 71, his family confirmed to US Weekly. Reports from TMZ indicate the WWE Hall of Famer suffered a cardiac arrest at his home in Clearwater, Florida.
Just last month, US Weekly revealed Hogan had undergone major heart surgery.
“A few weeks ago, Hulk had a pretty serious operation on his heart, but he seemed to be doing well afterward,” a source close to the star told the outlet.
Hogan remains one of the most recognizable names in WWE history, and today’s news has left millions of fans devastated. Social media has been flooded with tributes for the wrestling icon.
One fan wrote on X: “Hard to describe this man’s dominance in our society during my childhood years. RIP to the Hulkster.”
Another added: “I grew up watching Hulk Hogan, first in the wrestling ring, then in movies like 3 Ninjas, Mr. Nanny, and Suburban Commando. He was a true character and one of the first wrestlers to cross over into Hollywood. A larger-than-life icon. RIP, Champ.”
A third tribute read: “Whether you liked him or not, professional wrestling wouldn’t be what it is today without Hulk Hogan. This is truly the end of an era. RIP.”
Despite his immense popularity, Hogan’s career wasn’t without controversy. In 2007, a leaked video of him using a racial slur led to his removal from the WWE Hall of Fame in 2015. He was reinstated three years later after issuing an apology.
“It was wrong, and I’m embarrassed by it,” Hogan said at the time. “But a lot of people need to understand you inherit things from your environment. I grew up in South Tampa, a rough, low-income neighborhood where that word was used casually among friends.”
When Hogan returned to WWE after the scandal, his reception was mixed, with fans booing him during appearances.
Beyond the ring, Hogan also made a name for himself in Hollywood, starring in films such as Rocky III, Gremlins 2, The A-Team, and even lending his voice to Gnomeo and Juliet.
For millions of wrestling fans worldwide, Hulk Hogan wasn’t just a wrestler—he was a cultural phenomenon whose legacy will never be forgotten.
