Wrestling legend Hulk Hogan. ARCHIVE

The red and yellow will never shine quite the same again. Wrestling icon and cultural phenomenon Hulk Hogan, born Terry Bollea, has died at the age of 71. His family confirmed the heartbreaking news on Thursday (July 24), sharing that Hogan died peacefully, surrounded by loved ones, after a battle with worsening heart problems. “It is with a heavy heart and deep sadness that we confirm we have lost a legend… He will be missed, but never forgotten,” the family wrote in a statement on his official Facebook page. For millions, Hogan wasn’t just a wrestler. He was the wrestler. With his 24-inch pythons, handlebar mustache, bandana, and iconic phrases like “Let me tell you something, brother!”, he brought professional wrestling into the mainstream, turning the WWF (now WWE) into a global entertainment juggernaut.

A larger-than-life legacy

Hogan’s career spanned over four decades. He headlined the first WrestleMania, battled titans like André the Giant and The Ultimate Warrior, and brought his charisma to movies, cartoons, and talk shows. To 80s and 90s kids, he was a hero in spandex—the ultimate good guy who stood for "training, saying your prayers, and taking your vitamins." “He is the Michael Jordan of his sport—before MJ was a thing,” wrote fan Andy Childs. “I had his workout tape, jump rope, hand grip, headbands and his wrestling figurines… I fell asleep to his cassette every night.” The outpouring of grief online has been overwhelming. Fans from around the world are sharing personal memories of their childhood hero. “Rest easy, Hulkster. No bigger star in wrestling. What 80s kid didn’t get into trouble for ripping their shirt?” wrote Phil Surgent. “Growing up a Hulkamaniac made us all better,” said Mike Green. “I remember being 4 or 5 with my Hulk weight set… I ate my vitamins and said my prayers.” “He wasn’t just a wrestler. He was Hulkamania,” wrote Scott Lester. “He gave us hope, strength, and the belief that no matter how tough things got, the good would always rise… That match against The Ultimate Warrior at WrestleMania VI? It wasn’t just a wrestling match—it was the match. Hero vs hero. And every single kid on the planet was glued to the screen.”

Final weeks: He didn’t want to leave anything unsaid

Sources close to Hogan said he had been struggling in recent weeks with a “weak heart,” shortness of breath, and fatigue. EMTs were called to his Clearwater mansion after he collapsed Thursday morning and was rushed to Morton Plant Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 11:17am. Yet even as his health declined, Hogan sought peace. Insiders said he spent his final days trying to mend relationships, especially with estranged loved ones. “He had a lot of scores to settle,” a source told Daily Mail. “Didn’t want to leave anything unsaid.” While he had reportedly not spoken to his daughter Brooke for years, he remained close to his son Nick and had recently married his third wife, Sky, in 2023. Wrestling royalty, celebrities, and even former presidents joined the wave of tributes. WWE co-founder Vince McMahon posted: “The world lost a treasure today… Hulk Hogan was the greatest WWE Superstar of ALL TIME… a global phenomenon.” Linda McMahon, former WWE executive and US official, said: “Hulk was a dear friend and member of our WWE family. His legacy in and out of the ring will always be remembered.” Ric Flair, Hogan’s longtime rival, called him “an incredible athlete, talent, friend and father.” US President Donald Trump wrote: “Hulk Hogan was MAGA all the way… tough, smart, but with the biggest heart. The cultural impact he had was massive.” While Hogan’s physique was legendary—often described as “larger than life”—he also had a surprisingly tender side. In later interviews, he expressed regret over personal missteps and sought redemption. He had spoken openly about past surgeries, family feuds, and the toll of fame. In the end, he reportedly felt at peace. “The last few months of Hogan’s life had more ups than downs,” a family source told Daily Mail. “He wanted to be remembered as someone who loved his fans and his family. He really believed in the power of Hulkamania.” Hogan’s influence will endure far beyond the squared circle. He was a symbol of a generation—a living action figure, a Saturday morning hero, a showman who made you believe. And fans want to make sure that belief never dies. “Thank you for giving us a childhood filled with heroes,” Scott Lester wrote. “Now go light up that cosmic squared circle, brother. Because Hulkamania will live forever in the hearts of every single one of us who grew up screaming at the TV, ripping imaginary shirts off, and flexing in the mirror.” PIA/ICA/Expat Media
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