It doesn't feel real. For anyone who grew up in the 80s or 90s, Terry Bollea—better known to the world as Hulk Hogan—was basically immortal. You’d see the red and yellow, hear that iconic guitar riff, and honestly, you just assumed he’d be around forever. But on July 24, 2025, the news broke that the 24-inch pythons had finally gone quiet. He was 71.
People were confused. Rumors had been flying for months, some saying he was in a coma, others saying he was fine and just resting. Then, the official reports started hitting the wires.
Hulk Hogan Cause of Death: The Medical Reality
Basically, it was a heart attack.
The District Six Medical Examiner in Florida released a report about a week after he passed away, and it clarified a lot. While the initial emergency call to his Clearwater home was for "cardiac arrest," the specific cause was listed as an acute myocardial infarction.
It wasn't just a random event, though. The report mentioned he had a history of atrial fibrillation (AFib), which is an irregular heart rhythm. More surprisingly to many fans, the medical documents also noted he had been dealing with leukemia (CLL).
🔗 Read more: Shamea Morton and the Real Housewives of Atlanta: What Really Happened to Her Peach
He was at home when it happened. Around 9:50 a.m. on that Thursday, first responders were called to his residence. Paramedics reportedly performed chest compressions while rushing him to Morton Plant Hospital, but he was pronounced dead at 11:17 a.m. No foul play. No "suspicious activity." Just a body that had been through the absolute ringer finally giving out.
The Toll of 25 Surgeries
You can't talk about how Hulk Hogan died without talking about what he did to his body for forty years. Wrestling isn't "fake" in the way people think—gravity is very real. Hogan’s signature move was the Atomic Leg Drop. Think about that. A 300-pound man jumping up and landing on his tailbone every single night for decades.
In late 2024, Hogan went on Logan Paul's IMPAULSIVE podcast and dropped a bit of a bombshell. He’d had 25 surgeries in the last ten years alone.
- Ten back surgeries.
- Two knee replacements.
- Two hip replacements.
- Multiple shoulder procedures.
"Nobody told me this gimmick stuff was fake," he joked at the time. But it wasn't really a joke. By the summer of 2025, he had just undergone a massive four-level neck fusion. His wife, Sky Daily, had to go on Instagram just a week before he died to shut down rumors that he was on his deathbed. She said his heart was "strong" then. Kinda makes the heart attack just a few days later feel even more like a gut punch.
💡 You might also like: Who is Really in the Enola Holmes 2 Cast? A Look at the Faces Behind the Mystery
Why the Death Hoax Rumors Started
Before he actually passed, the internet did what the internet does. In June 2025, Bubba the Love Sponge (an old friend of Hogan's) claimed on a stream that family members were being called to say their goodbyes.
Panic. Total chaos in the wrestling community.
His reps scrambled to say he was just recovering from the neck surgery. They told E! News there was "no reason to panic." For a few weeks, it seemed like they were right. He was spotted out, looking a bit thin, but still the Hulkster. But looking back now, those "deathbed" rumors might have been closer to the truth than the PR team wanted to admit. The body can only handle so much trauma and anesthesia.
A Legacy That Transcended the Ring
Hulk Hogan wasn't just a wrestler. He was a shift in the culture. Without him, there’s no WrestleMania. There’s probably no billion-dollar WWE.
📖 Related: Priyanka Chopra Latest Movies: Why Her 2026 Slate Is Riskier Than You Think
From his role as Thunderlips in Rocky III to the "New World Order" (nWo) heel turn that changed the 90s, he knew how to reinvent himself. Even when his personal life got messy—the Gawker lawsuit, the scandals, the divorces—the "Hulk Hogan" brand somehow stayed afloat.
His death sparked a massive wave of tributes. Sylvester Stallone posted about how "wonderful" Hogan was during their filming. Ric Flair, his longtime rival and friend, said he was "absolutely shocked." Even Florida Governor Ron DeSantis ordered flags to be flown at half-staff. It’s rare for a pro wrestler to get the same treatment as a statesman, but Hogan was that big.
What to Take From This
Looking at the Hulk Hogan cause of death, there are a few real-world takeaways for the rest of us. It’s a reminder that chronic physical stress—even the "heroic" kind we see in sports—has a shelf life.
- Monitor Heart Health: AFib is a major risk factor for heart attacks and strokes. If you have an irregular pulse, get it checked. Hogan had it, and it clearly played a role.
- The Danger of Cumulative Surgery: Undergoing dozens of major surgeries in a decade puts an incredible strain on the cardiovascular system. Recovery gets harder every time.
- Know the Signs: Cardiac arrest happens fast. The fact that medics were there within minutes and still couldn't save him shows how lethal a major heart event can be.
Hulk Hogan's final year was a mix of quiet recovery and sudden health collapses. He was a man who lived a massive life and, in the end, his heart just couldn't keep up with the legend.
For fans who want to honor him, the best move is to check out his classic matches from 1985 to 1989. That's when "Hulkamania" was at its peak. You can find most of those on the WWE Network or Peacock, specifically the first five WrestleManias. It's a better way to remember him than focusing on the hospital reports.