Hulk Hogan, Wikimedia Commons CC License
Pro wrestling icon Hulk Hogan dead at 71
Hulk Hogan, the wrestling superstar whose larger-than-life persona helped turn professional wrestling into a global entertainment juggernaut, has died at age 71. The WWE confirmed his death Thursday, saying the 12-time world champion played a key role in shaping the modern era of wrestling. TMZ reports Hogan died of cardiac arrest at his home in Florida.
Born Terrence Gene Bollea in Augusta, Georgia, Hogan began his wrestling career in the late 1970s and made his Madison Square Garden debut in 1979. Standing over six feet tall with bleach-blond hair, bulging biceps and a signature handlebar moustache, he became a household name in the 1980s. His popularity soared through headline matches, including showdowns with André the Giant and The Rock, and appearances in movies like Rocky III and the reality series Hogan Knows Best.
WWE called Hogan one of the most recognizable figures in pop culture. Over his 35-year career, he helped elevate wrestling to new heights, drawing millions of fans and becoming the face of the WWE. He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame twice, first in 2005 as an individual and again in 2020 as part of a wrestling group.
Hogan’s career was not without controversy. He faced criticism and legal battles related to steroid use, personal scandals and the use of racist language, which led to a brief removal from the WWE Hall of Fame. He later apologized and was reinstated in 2018. Despite setbacks, Hogan remained a central figure in wrestling’s history and maintained a loyal fan base.
He is survived by his third wife, Sky Daily, and his two children. Hogan once said he hoped to bring the WWF title belt with him “to that great battlefield in the sky.” His death closes the chapter on one of wrestling’s most influential and flamboyant careers, one that helped define the spectacle of sports entertainment.
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