By: Jim Williams Capital Sports for the Collective Media Group
Today, at the age of 71, Terry Bollea, better known as Hulk Hogan, passed away. He was a graduate of Robinson High School in Tampa, Florida, and was renowned as the world’s most famous wrestler. TMZ was the first to report that Hogan died from a heart attack at his home in Clearwater.
According to a press release obtained by Capital Sports and reported by our affiliate, Sports Talk, the City of Clearwater confirmed his death this morning. The statement revealed that police and fire personnel were dispatched to Bollea’s home following a report of an individual in cardiac arrest. Fire and rescue crews treated Bollea when they arrived, and he was subsequently transported to Morton Plant Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
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The Wrestling World Reacts to Hogans passing.
“WWE is saddened to learn WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan has passed away. One of pop culture’s most recognizable figures, Hogan helped WWE achieve global recognition in the 1980s,” the company said in a post on X. “WWE extends its condolences to Hogan’s family, friends, and fans.”
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.
— Triple H (@TripleH) July 24, 2025
He was the archetype of what it meant to be a “Superstar” – a global sensation that inspired millions to work… pic.twitter.com/wXpgFvAhHA
I Am Absolutely Shocked To Hear About The Passing Of My Close Friend @HulkHogan! Hulk Has Been By My Side Since We Started In The Wrestling Business. An Incredible Athlete, Talent, Friend, And Father! Our Friendship Has Meant The World To Me. He Was Always There For Me Even When… pic.twitter.com/rOWLakMjr4
— Ric Flair® (@RicFlairNatrBoy) July 24, 2025
Hogan became a true superstar as a headliner at the first-ever WrestleMania in 1985, where he packed 93,173 WWE fans into the Pontiac Silverdome. That night, the world became aware that “The Hulkster” was here to stay and would grow to become one of pop culture’s biggest names. He won six WWE Championships, starred in movies and television shows, and even had his own animated series. Hogan became an idol to a vast legion of fans he referred to as his “Hulkamaniacs.”
How he became the Hulk
Bollea regularly attended matches at the Tampa Sportatorium, and became a big admirer of Superstar Billy Graham. He was also interested in music and became a bass player for a band called Ruckus (formed in 1976 after he left the University of South Florida) which became popular in the Tampa Bay area. Professional wrestlers regularly attended their gigs and also noticed him working out at Hector’s Gym, including The Brisco Brothers (Jack and Gerald). They soon enticed Bollea to train with Hiro Matsuda, who worked for Eddie Graham’s Championship Wrestling From Florida.
The name “Hulk Hogan” was given to Bollea by Vince McMahon Sr., the promoter of the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE). At the time, McMahon Sr. was creating personas to appeal to various ethnic fan bases—such as Bruno Sammartino for Italian Americans and Ivan Putski for Polish Americans. He wanted Bollea to represent Irish Americans, so he chose the surname “Hogan.” The “Hulk” part of the name came after Bollea appeared on a talk show alongside Lou Ferrigno, who portrayed the Incredible Hulk on television. Bollea’s massive size dwarfed Ferrigno, leading the host to remark that Bollea was “bigger than the Hulk.”
The name became synonymous with greatness, and the world embraced the man known as Hulk Hogan. His legacy will live on through countless fans, fellow wrestlers, and the enduring impact of Hulkamania. He is survived by his two children: his daughter Brooke Hogan and son Nick Hogan, both from his first marriage to Linda Claridge. He also has a second wife, Jennifer McDaniel, and his current wife, Sky Daily, whom he married two years ago.
