The world of professional wrestling lost its brightest sun on July 24, 2025. Honestly, it still feels weird to talk about the WWE without him. For decades, Terry Bollea—the man we all knew as Hulk Hogan—seemed invincible. He had those massive 24-inch pythons and a voice that could rattle the rafters of any arena. But even superheroes have a clock.
When the news broke that Thursday morning in Clearwater, Florida, the first question everyone asked was the same. How old was Hulk Hogan when he passed away?
Hulk Hogan was 71 years old when he died.
It wasn’t a secret that he’d been struggling. You’ve probably seen the headlines or the podcast clips where he looked a bit more frail than the guy who slammed Andre the Giant. He was a human being who had pushed his body far past its breaking point for our entertainment.
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What Really Happened in Clearwater?
The morning of July 24 started like any other in the Florida heat. Around 9:50 a.m., first responders were called to Hogan's home. The emergency dispatch mentioned cardiac arrest. It’s the kind of call no one wants to hear, especially for a guy whose heart always seemed big enough to carry an entire industry.
Paramedics rushed him to Morton Plant Hospital. They tried. They really did. But by 11:17 a.m., he was gone. Major Nate Burnside of the Clearwater Police eventually confirmed there was no foul play. It was just a heart that had finally given out after seven decades of high-octane living.
It’s kinda crazy when you think about it. Just months before, his team was swatting away death hoaxes. People were saying he was in a coma, but his wife, Sky Daily, was on Instagram telling everyone his heart was "strong." She wasn't lying—at least, she didn't think she was. He was recovering from a massive four-level neck fusion surgery he had in May 2025.
That surgery was brutal. It involved tubes, breathing assistance, and a long recovery. While he was trying to put on a brave face for "Hulkamania," his body was sending signals that the end was closer than anyone wanted to admit.
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A Legacy Written in Red and Yellow
To understand why a 71-year-old man's passing felt like a global tectonic shift, you have to look at what he built. Hogan didn't just wrestle. He created the blueprint for the modern celebrity athlete.
In the '80s, he was everywhere. Saturday morning cartoons. Lunchboxes. The main event of the first nine WrestleManias. He was the flag-waving hero who told kids to train, say their prayers, and eat their vitamins.
But it wasn't all sunshine and leg drops.
Hogan’s life was messy. He went through a very public and painful divorce from Linda Claridge. He dealt with a sex tape scandal that led to the Gawker lawsuit—a legal battle that literally bankrupted a media giant. Then there were the recordings of him using racial slurs, which got him scrubbed from WWE history for a while.
He was complicated. Most legends are.
The Physical Toll of Being "The Immortal"
Why did his heart give out at 71?
If you ask any old-school wrestler, they'll tell you: the ring doesn't forgive. Hogan once told Logan Paul on a podcast that he’d had over 25 surgeries in the last decade alone.
- 10 back surgeries.
- Both knees replaced.
- Both hips replaced.
- Shoulder surgeries.
He famously said that "nobody told me this gimmick stuff was fake." The physical impact of landing that signature leg drop thousands of times over 40 years compressed his spine and shattered his joints. By the end, a Daily Mail report claimed he was using oxygen at home and had lost a significant amount of weight.
He was tired.
Even with the "weak heart" reports that surfaced after his death, he spent his final weeks trying to make things right. Sources close to the family said he was "settling scores" and mending fences. He didn't want to leave anything unsaid. That sounds like a man who knew the final bell was about to ring.
Final Thoughts on the Hulkster
Hulk Hogan’s death at 71 marks the end of an era that will never be replicated. He was the bridge between the gritty, smoke-filled arenas of the '70s and the billion-dollar spectacle we see today. Whether you loved him or were frustrated by his personal controversies, you can’t deny the impact.
If you’re looking to honor his memory, maybe skip the vitamins and just watch his match against The Rock at WrestleMania X8. It’s arguably the loudest a crowd has ever been for another human being.
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Next Steps for Fans:
- Check out the official WWE tribute video released on their YouTube channel for a look at his career highlights.
- If you're interested in the history of the business, read his autobiography Hulk Hogan: My Life Outside the Ring to get his perspective on the surgeries and the toll the business took.
- Keep an eye out for news regarding the "Real American Freestyle" league he was launching; his estate may still move forward with his vision for unscripted wrestling.