Hulk Hogan, the professional wrestling icon credited with helping turn pro wrestling into a global phenomenon, died on Thursday morning. He was 71.

Police in Clearwater, Fla., said on Thursday that they were dispatched to his home for what was described as a "cardiac arrest." The wrestling legend was treated by paramedics before being taken to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Hogan's death was confirmed in a statement posted to his Instagram page.

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"Our beloved Terry Bollea, known worldwide as Hulk Hogan, passed away today surrounded by his loved ones," the post 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."

Hogan rose to fame as a member of the World Wrestling Federation (now WWE) and was known for dramatically ripping off his shirt as he entered the ring. Vince McMahon, the cofounder and former CEO of WWE, called Hogan "the greatest WWE Superstar of ALL TIME."

Outside the ring, he appeared in numerous movies and television shows, including a VH1 reality series, Hogan Knows Best. In 2015, the WWE cut ties with Hogan after he was heard making racist remarks on a leaked sex tape. Hogan apologized and was reinstated several years later.

In recent years, Hogan became active in politics, endorsing President Trump in a memorable appearance at the 2024 Republican National Convention.

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

Tributes to Hogan have been pouring in. Follow the blog below for the latest updates and reactions to Hogan’s death.

Live35 updatesFri, July 25, 2025 at 10:08 PM GMT+8Yahoo News Staff

The Rock shares heartfelt tribute to Hogan, his 'childhood hero' and 'the greatest of all time'

Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson on Friday morning mourned Hulk Hogan's loss in an Instagram post in which he described the pro-wrestling legend as his "childhood hero."

The Rock — a former WWE superstar himself — revealed that in 1984, he caught a "HULKSTER" headband that Hogan threw into the crowd and gave it back to Hogan in the locker room at Madison Square Garden. "You were shocked and so happy after the match because you told me that was your very last headband and if it weren’t for me, you’d have no way of getting that exact one made again," he wrote of Hogan. The Rock said that a month later, Hogan gifted him his own "Hulkster" headband as a gift — which "meant the world" to him at 12 years old.

Fri, July 25, 2025 at 9:02 PM GMT+8Dylan Stableford

U.S. health agency posts tribute to Hulk Hogan for its 'Make America Healthy Again' campaign

Tributes for Hulk Hogan continue to pour in from around the world — including, of all places, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

The health agency posted a meme-ified Instagram clip of the wrestler's famous match against André the Giant to promote its "Make America Healthy Again" initiative.

"HHS is giving ultra-processed foods a BIG leg drop this summer," the caption on the post read. "RIP @hulkhogan 💪."

Fri, July 25, 2025 at 6:14 AM GMT+8Katie Mather

Former wrestler, Tenn. mayor remembers fighting alongside Hogan in 2002

WWE Hall of Fame wrestler Kane shared a clip on X of him pumping up Hogan and Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson before a six-man tag team fight in 2002.

In the video, Kane, who is a wrestling character played by Knox County, Tenn., Mayor Glenn Jacobs, imitates one of Hogan's catchphrases.

"Hulk Hogan was a true legend," Kane wrote alongside the video. "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."

Fri, July 25, 2025 at 6:07 AM GMT+8Katie Mather

Florida Gov. DeSantis praises Hogan as a 'Floridian through and through'

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis paid tribute to Hulk Hogan during a press conference Thursday, recalling his experience of growing up as a fan of Hogan's in Florida in the late 1980s and early '90s.

"As a Floridian, as somebody that grew up in west central Florida, I was sad to see the news that Hulk Hogan passed away today," DeSantis said at the press conference. "I was really sad to see that. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and people throughout this region of Florida, because I know so many people cared about him."

Hogan had met DeSantis's entire family over the past Memorial Day weekend. In an Instagram post, Hogan praised DeSantis, saying it was "an honor to spend time with a true patriot who served this country."

AdvertisementAdvertisement#_R_329hokr8lb2mav5ubsddbH1_ iframe Fri, July 25, 2025 at 5:50 AM GMT+8Katie Mather

Boxer, former YouTuber Jake Paul: 'RIP legend'

Professional boxer and former YouTuber Jake Paul thanked Hogan for his "kind words and encouragement" in an X post honoring the wrestler.

"RIP Legend," Paul wrote. "Rest easy."

Hogan attended several of Paul's fights over the last few years, and even expressed concern when Paul was set to fight Mike Tyson in November 2024.

"Your brother is too strong, bro," Hogan told Paul's brother, Logan, at the time. "Last night, as soon as I saw him set the guy up with the left, he kept throwing the overhand right; I was like, 'Oh my God, he's going to kill somebody.'"

Fri, July 25, 2025 at 4:57 AM GMT+8Katie Mather

Education Secretary Linda McMahon calls working with Hogan a 'privilege'

Education Secretary Linda McMahon, who co-founded the WWE with her husband, Vince McMahon, wrote in a post on X that she "had the privilege of knowing and working with Hogan for over 40 years."

"Hulk was a dear friend and member of our WWE family," McMahon said. "His legacy in and out of the ring will always be remembered. He was one of a kind!"

Fri, July 25, 2025 at 4:48 AM GMT+8Katie Mather

Elijah Wood: Hogan was 'a fixture of pop culture' throughout the ’80s and ’90s

Actor Elijah Wood reflected on Hogan's impact on pop culture during his childhood at a press event for The Toxic Avenger with his costar Taylour Paige on Thursday.

"He, and so many of those people ... were ubiquitous in my childhood," Wood told the Associated Press. "Those guys were everywhere. Even if you weren't a wrestling fan, they were a fixture of pop culture."

Paige, who found out about Hogan's death while Wood was speaking, recalled that she sold the superstar wrestler a watch when she worked at the Kitson store in Malibu, before she became famous.

"He was very nice," she said.

Fri, July 25, 2025 at 4:37 AM GMT+8Katie Mather

John Cena posts photo from famous Hogan fight against André the Giant

Actor and WWE champion John Cena posted a captionless photo to Instagram of Hulk Hogan's famous wrestling match against André the Giant in 1988.

The fight, which was called The Main Event, pulled in 33 million viewers, which is still the record for televised wrestling matches in the U.S. André won the match, which is credited with helping to bring televised professional wrestling into the mainstream.

AdvertisementAdvertisement#_R_349hokr8lb2mav5ubsddbH1_ iframe Fri, July 25, 2025 at 4:23 AM GMT+8Dylan Stableford

Triple H: The WWE 'would not be where it is today' without Hogan

Paul Michael Levesque, the former professional wrestler known as Triple H, posted a lengthy tribute to Hogan on X.

"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," Levesque wrote. "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."

Hogan "transcended and elevated the entire business to heights never before seen - in every country and on every continent," he added. "There was no one like The Hulkster and there very well may never be another."

Fri, July 25, 2025 at 4:16 AM GMT+8Katie Mather

Marc Mero remembers Hogan as 'more than an icon in the ring'

Former wrestler Marc Mero said he was "deeply saddened" by the news and emphasized to his X followers that Hogan was "more than an icon in the ring."

Mero praised Hogan as someone who was always willing to help with Mero's nonprofit program, Champion of Choices, and recalled his most treasured memory of Hogan, which was when he called Mero's friend who was battling cancer.

"He was a man with a big heart and a genuine desire to help others," Mero said. "I'll truly miss him."

Fri, July 25, 2025 at 4:04 AM GMT+8Katie Mather

Hogan died surrounded by loved ones, according to official statement

Hulk Hogan died on Thursday surrounded by loved ones, a post on his Instagram read.

"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 post states.

"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."

Fri, July 25, 2025 at 3:39 AM GMT+8Katie Mather

Vice President Vance calls Hogan 'a great American icon'

Vice President JD Vance called Hogan a "great American icon" and one of his childhood heroes.

"The last time I saw him we promised we'd get beers together next time we saw each other," Vance wrote on X. "The next time will have to be on the other side, my friend! Rest in peace."

Hogan had played a role in the Trump-Vance campaign in late 2024. He had endorsed Trump at the 2024 Republican National Convention and then spoke on stage again at a rally hosted by Trump at New York's Madison Square Garden in October 2024.

AdvertisementAdvertisement#_R_369hokr8lb2mav5ubsddbH1_ iframe Fri, July 25, 2025 at 3:28 AM GMT+8Katie Mather

Brooke Shields shares photo from when Hogan guest-starred on 'Suddenly Susan'

Actress Brooke Shields shared a photo of her, Hogan and costar Kathy Griffin from when the wrestler guest-starred as himself on a Suddenly Susan episode in 1999.

"This moment and his entire guest episode on 'Suddenly Susan' was a true highlight," she captioned the Instagram post.

Fri, July 25, 2025 at 3:20 AM GMT+8Katie Mather

Vince McMahon, cofounder of WWE, calls Hogan the 'greatest WWE Superstar of ALL TIME'

Vince McMahon, former CEO and cofounder of the WWE, praised Hulk Hogan for being a "trailblazer" and the first wrestler to really bloom into "a global phenomenon." It was McMahon who recruited Hogan in 1984 to what was then the World Wrestling Federation (it would be renamed as the WWE in 2002).

"Hogan was the greatest WWE Superstar of ALL TIME," McMahon wrote. "He gave everything he had to the audience whom he appreciated, respected and loved."

Fri, July 25, 2025 at 3:06 AM GMT+8Katie Mather

Sylvester Stallone, who filmed with Hulk Hogan in 'Rocky III,' says his heart is broken

In an Instagram post, actor Sylvester Stallone reflected on his time filming Rocky III with Hogan in 1982, when Hogan was 26 years old.

"He was absolutely wonderful and his amazing skill made Rocky three incredibly special," Stallone wrote. "My heart breaks."

Stallone would later induct Hogan into the WWE Hall of Fame, in 2005.

Fri, July 25, 2025 at 2:46 AM GMT+8Kate Murphy

'We lost a real icon today,' says professional wrestler Kurt Angle

Professional wrestler and Olympic gold medalist Kurt Angle posted a heartfelt tribute to the "Hulkster" on X, thanking him for opening doors to many people in the wrestling business. "There would not be a Kurt Angle, without the American Made, Hulk Hogan," he wrote. "My heart and prayers go out to his family. We lost a real icon today."

AdvertisementAdvertisement#_R_389hokr8lb2mav5ubsddbH1_ iframe Fri, July 25, 2025 at 2:40 AM GMT+8Kate Murphy

Hogan's WWF rival the Undertaker says, 'The wrestling world has lost a true legend'

In the world of 1990s WWF rivalries, the Undertaker was positioned as a dark villain, contrasting Hulk Hogan's heroic, all-American character. The wrestler known as the Undertaker posted a tribute to Hogan on social media, writing, "The wrestling world has lost a true legend."

Fri, July 25, 2025 at 2:37 AM GMT+8Kate Murphy

'There will never be another,' WWE Hall of Famer John Layfield says in honor of Hulk Hogan

WWE Hall of Famer and former commentator John Layfield said Hulk Hogan partly inspired his wrestling career. "There will never be another. Hulkamania never dies," he wrote in a post on social media.

Fri, July 25, 2025 at 2:21 AM GMT+8Dylan Stableford

'Let Trumpamania run wild': Hulk Hogan's memorable appearance at the 2024 RNC

Hulk Hogan at the 2024 Republican National Convention. (Mike Segar/Reuters)

For many people, the last time they saw Hulk Hogan was last July during the 2024 Republican National Convention, where he praised Donald Trump as a “gladiator” and his “hero" before ripping his shirt off in signature fashion.

“Let Trumpamania run wild, brother!” shouted Hogan on the final night of the convention. “Let Trumpamania rule again! Let Trumpamania make America great again!”

Fri, July 25, 2025 at 2:15 AM GMT+8Kate Murphy

'Hulk Hogan was MAGA all the way,' Trump says in tribute

President Trump posted a tribute on social media to Hulk Hogan, who endorsed him at the Republican National Convention ahead of the 2024 presidential election.

We lost a great friend today, the “Hulkster.” Hulk Hogan was MAGA all the way — Strong, tough, smart, but with the biggest heart. 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. To his wife, Sky, and family, we give our warmest best wishes and love. Hulk Hogan will be greatly missed!

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