On the morning of July 24, 2025, the wrestling world was stunned by the sudden death of WWE icon Hulk Hogan, born Terry Gene Bollea, at the age of 71. The charismatic wrestler, whose larger-than-life persona transformed professional wrestling into a global phenomenon, suffered a fatal cardiac arrest at his Clearwater, Florida, home. As tributes poured in from fans, wrestlers, and public figures, those closest to Hogan revealed the emotional toll of his final months, marked by a heartbreaking estrangement from his daughter, Brooke Hogan, and ongoing health struggles. Despite his optimism for reconciliation, Hogan’s death left friends and family reeling, with insiders describing his final hours as a poignant mix of resilience and sorrow.
A Wrestling Legend’s Final Moments
Hulk Hogan’s death was confirmed by the Clearwater Police Department, which responded to a 9:51 a.m. 911 call for a cardiac arrest at his Clearwater Beach residence. Emergency responders performed CPR for approximately 30 minutes before transporting him to Morton Plant Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 11:17 a.m. Authorities found no signs of foul play, and the ongoing investigation is standard procedure for such cases. The official cause of death was listed as cardiac arrest, with speculation that complications from a recent neck surgery may have contributed, though an autopsy report is pending.
Hogan’s manager, Linda Bose, expressed profound grief, telling Newsweek, “We are heartbroken. He was such a great human being and friend.” A statement on Hogan’s Instagram account echoed this sentiment: “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 urged fans to respect the family’s privacy while celebrating the memories Hogan left behind for millions worldwide.
Insiders told Daily Mail that Hogan’s final hours were emotionally charged, compounded by the strain of his fractured relationship with Brooke. “The last few months of Hogan’s life had a lot more ups than downs,” a source shared, “but there was a little strain with his daughter and their relationship that had taken quite the emotional toll.” Despite this, Hogan remained hopeful, believing until his final day that he and Brooke would reconcile. This heartbreak, coupled with his physical ailments, painted a picture of a man grappling with both personal and health challenges in his final moments.
The Heartbreak of Family Estrangement
Hogan’s relationship with his daughter, Brooke, 37, had been strained for nearly a decade, with their last conversation occurring in September 2023, just before his marriage to his third wife, Sky Daily. During this call, facilitated by Brooke’s husband, former NHL player Steven Oleksy, Brooke urged her father to prioritize his health and slow down his demanding lifestyle. “I love you,” she told him, a sentiment that now provides her some solace amid their unresolved rift. Hogan, however, offered only a vague apology and remained distant, reportedly unwilling to fully address the issues that had driven them apart.
The roots of their estrangement were complex, never fully disclosed, but became public in March 2025 when Hogan’s ex-wife, Linda Hogan, revealed the family’s turmoil on Instagram. “My family is in the worst mess,” she wrote, noting that Brooke had cut off contact with both parents, even after significant life events like her 2022 marriage and the birth of her twins, Oliver and Molly, in January 2025. Linda accused Hogan of being a “complete liar” and “sex addict,” while Brooke clarified that her decision to distance herself stemmed from “extreme verbal and mental abuse” since childhood, though she did not specify who was responsible.
Brooke’s absence from Hogan’s 2023 wedding to Sky Daily was a public sign of their fractured bond, and despite Oleksy’s efforts to mediate, Hogan remained optimistic but detached, believing reconciliation would happen on his terms. An insider told Daily Mail in April 2025, “It has been a very trying few months for Terry, but he isn’t allowing it to get to him, and he is living his life the way he wants to live it.” Tragically, his sudden death left these hopes unfulfilled, with Brooke learning of his passing through a text from her brother, Nick, to Oleksy.
Health Struggles in the Spotlight
Hogan’s final months were also marked by significant health challenges. The wrestling icon, whose physicality defined his career, had undergone over 25 surgeries in the past decade, including 10 back surgeries, knee and hip replacements, shoulder procedures, and a recent four-level Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion (ACDF) on his neck. In a September 2024 interview on Logan Paul’s IMPAULSIVE podcast, Hogan detailed the toll of his wrestling career: “I’ve had like 25 surgeries in the last ten years — 10 of them were back surgeries.”
Rumors about Hogan’s health intensified in June 2025, with Florida radio host Bubba the Love Sponge claiming Hogan was in poor health and nearing death. His wife, Sky Daily, refuted these claims on Instagram, stating, “His heart is strong, and there was never any lack of oxygen or brain damage.” She confirmed the recent neck surgery but emphasized his recovery, dismissing rumors of a coma or severe decline. Just two days before his death, longtime friend and WWE manager Jimmy Hart described Hogan as “phenomenal” and “doing great” during a karaoke night with Nick, further downplaying concerns. The suddenness of his cardiac arrest, however, shocked those who believed he was on the mend.
A Legacy That Transcended Wrestling
Hulk Hogan’s impact on professional wrestling is undeniable. Born in Augusta, Georgia, on August 11, 1953, he began wrestling in 1977 and rose to fame with the WWF in 1979, adopting the name “Hulk Hogan” at the suggestion of Vince McMahon Sr. His 1984 WWF Heavyweight Championship win over The Iron Sheik sparked “Hulkamania,” a cultural phenomenon that propelled wrestling into the mainstream. Known for his red-and-yellow attire, “24-inch pythons,” and “Real American” entrance music, Hogan headlined eight WrestleMania events, including the iconic WrestleMania III match against André the Giant. His 1996 transformation into “Hollywood Hogan” with the New World Order in WCW reinvented his career, showcasing his versatility as a villain.
Beyond wrestling, Hogan became a pop culture icon, appearing in films like Rocky III (1982) as Thunderlips and starring in reality TV shows like Hogan Knows Best. His larger-than-life persona extended to endorsements, including his Real American Beer launched in 2024, and political appearances, such as his speech at the 2024 Republican National Convention supporting Donald Trump. However, controversies, including a 2015 leaked audio of him using racial slurs and a 2012 sex tape scandal backed by Peter Thiel’s $100 million lawsuit against Gawker, tarnished his reputation. Despite these setbacks, Hogan’s influence remained, with two WWE Hall of Fame inductions in 2005 and 2020 as part of the NWO.
Tributes from a Grieving Community
Hogan’s death prompted an outpouring of tributes. WWE called him “one of pop culture’s most recognizable figures,” crediting him with globalizing the industry in the 1980s. Vince McMahon hailed him as “the greatest WWE Superstar of ALL TIME,” while Ric Flair wrote, “Hulkster, no one will ever compare to you.” Sylvester Stallone, who worked with Hogan in Rocky III, shared, “He was absolutely wonderful and his amazing skill made Rocky III incredibly special. My heart breaks.” Political figures like Donald Trump and JD Vance also paid respects, with Trump noting Hogan’s “MAGA all the way” spirit.
Fans flooded social media with hashtags like #RIPHulkHogan and #HulkamaniaForever, sharing throwback photos and memories of his iconic matches. On X, users expressed shock at the suddenness of his passing, with one post noting, “Hogan’s death was a big shock to many fans, however, insiders say that behind the scenes, the situation for the iconic wrestler was pretty dire.” Another highlighted the emotional toll of his family rift, underscoring the personal tragedy behind his public persona.
A Bittersweet Farewell
Hulk Hogan’s final hours were a reflection of his complex life—marked by triumphs, controversies, and personal struggles. His unwavering belief in reconciling with Brooke, despite their eight-year estrangement, revealed a softer side to the “Hulkster,” a man who, even in his final moments, held onto hope. His health battles, compounded by the physical toll of decades in the ring, culminated in a sudden and tragic end that left his inner circle in disbelief. As the world mourns a wrestling legend, Hogan’s legacy as a pioneer, showman, and flawed human endures, forever etched in the hearts of “Hulkamaniacs” worldwide.
