1953-2025
Latest News: Former Wrestler Hulk Hogan Dies at Age 71
Professional wrestling legend Hulk Hogan died in his home in Clearwater, Florida, on July 24. He was 71 years old. Hogan suffered a sudden cardiac arrest and was pronounced dead at Morton Plant Hospital, the Clearwater Police Department confirmed in a Facebook post.
The WWE champion was hospitalized just one week ago relating to issues with his neck and back, sparking rumors that he was on his deathbed. In May, he underwent a successful “fusion procedure” on his neck, having previously undergone a number of other surgeries in recent years after suffering multiple wresting injuries.
Born Terry Bollea, Hogan is widely recognized as one of the most influential wrestlers of all time. He a played pivotal role in transforming pro wrestling from a niche sport to global entertainment in the 1980s, attracting fans with his signature look, which consisted of bright bandanas, platinum blonde hair, a biker mustache, and famously massive biceps he called “24-inch pythons.”
Throughout his career, Hogan won 12 world championships and was twice inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. He later pursued a career in Hollywood in the 1990s, joining World Championing Wrestling (WCW), briefly adopting heel persona Hollywood Hogan, before returning to WWE in the early 2000s.
After a 35-year career, Hogan officially retired from wrestling in 2012. Following his retirement, he launched several business ventures, including a Hulkamania shop and a light beer brand called Real American Beer.
Hogan is survived by his wife, Sky Daily, and his children, Nick and Brooke.
Who Was Hulk Hogan?
Hulk Hogan was a retired professional American wrestler who was discovered in 1979 by World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) owner Vince McMahon Sr. In 1984, Hogan defeated the Iron Sheik to become the WWE (then WWF) World Heavyweight Champion, and a new era of fandom, known as “Hulkamania,” was born. In 1987, he defeated Andre the Giant to win Wrestlemania III. Hogan, known for his signature blonde mustache and bandana, reigned 12 times as WWE and World Championship Wrestling (WCW) world champion.
Hogan left WWE in 1993 to pursue a career in Hollywood, but in 1994, he joined competitor World Championship Wrestling (WCW). In 1996, he rebranded himself as Hollywood Hogan, a dark persona, but by 1999 returned to his signature red and yellow ring attire. He went back to WWE in 2002 to finish out his career and starred in his own reality TV show with his family, Hogan Knows Best, from 2005 to 2007. Hogan died in July 2025.
Quick Facts
FULL NAME: Terry Gene Bollea
BORN: August 11, 1953
DIED: July 24, 2025
BIRTHPLACE: Augusta, Georgia
SPOUSES: Linda Hogan (1983-2009), Jennifer McDaniel (2010-2021), and Sky Daily (2023-2025)
CHILDREN: Brooke and Nick
ASTROLOGICAL SIGN: Leo
Early Life and Education
Hulk Hogan was born Terry Gene Bollea on August 11, 1953, in Augusta, Georgia. He was the youngest son of Pete Bollea, a construction foreman, and Ruth Bollea, a homemaker and dance instructor. Pete and Ruth died in 2001 and 2011, respectively. Bollea, then known by his birth name, struggled with body image growing up. In a 2019 interview, he said he was bullied for having “the largest head in elementary school,” and that he was so overweight he refused to take his shirt off at the beach.
He acquired an interest in wrestling while attending Robinson High School in Tampa, Florida. By senior year, he and his friends hid in shop class and imitated some of their favorite grapplers, including as Dusty Rhodes and Dick Murdoch. Hogan also played baseball and received attention from MLB scouts, but injured his arm as a senior—ending his pitching hopes.
Bollea studied at Hillsborough Community College and the University of South Florida. While he pursued his education, his interests remained in the ring and on stage—he played bass in a rock ’n’ roll cover band he formed with friends called Ruckus—and he never received his degree. Instead, he devoted his time to working out in a local gym owned by wrestlers Jack and Jerry Brisco. Encouraged by the two brothers, Bollea spent a few months wrestling on small circuits in the Southeast.
Competing for the promotion Memphis Wrestling in 1979, Bollea—then known by ring names such as Super Destroyer and Terry Boulder—made his wrestling television debut and was nicknamed The Hulk. The moniker came after he did a TV interview in which his large frame overshadowed Lou Ferrigno, the bodybuilder who portrayed comic book character the Incredible Hulk in the TV series of the same name.
WWE Career
That same year, Bollea’s talent caught the attention of Vince McMahon, the legendary promoter and owner of the WWF (now known as the WWE), the most prominent wrestling league in the Northeast. McMahon gave Bollea an opportunity to join the promotion—and create a new identity. Because of his massive physique (he stood 6 feet 8 inches, and weighed 303 pounds) and his uncanny resemblance to the comic book hero, McMahon suggested that Terry assume the stage name “Hulk Hogan.”
Hogan quickly formed an in-ring rivalry against fan favorite Andre the Giant, with the pair facing each other 16 times in 1980. While under contract, Hogan also competed in New Japan Pro Wrestling over the next couple years.
In 1984, Hogan was awarded the WWE championship belt for his memorable defeat of the Iron Sheik. He quickly rose to super-stardom, and the resulting fan frenzy, nicknamed “Hulkamania,” became legendary. Hogan’s success during this time bolstered the public’s fascination with professional wrestling. In total, he became a 12-time world champion, six times with the WWE and another six with the WCW.
In 1987, Hogan defended his World Heavyweight Champion title at Wrestlemania III by defeating Andre the Giant—famously picking up the 500-pound behemoth and throwing him to the mat with what became known as the “slam heard ‘round the world.”
The success Hogan enjoyed in the 1980s waned in the early 1990s. Accused of providing anabolic steroids to its wrestlers, the WWE underwent a turbulent trial in which Hogan was called to testify against his former boss, McMahon. Hogan’s admission of drug abuse forced him to terminate both his wrestling and film careers.
Wrestling Comeback
Hogan left wrestling in 1993 to pursue a career in Hollywood, but in 1994 he surprised fans by joining WWE competitor WCW. In 1996, he rebranded as “Hollywood Hulk Hogan,” or “Triple H” and established himself as a villain, helping to, once again, secure his popularity among wrestling fans. Hogan joined media tycoon Ted Turner’s WCW as part of the New World Order (nWo), a wrestling team that paired Hogan with two other wrestlers, Kevin Nash and Scott Hall. The infamous triumvirate gained immense support from wrestling fans and, briefly, returned Hogan to the success of his past. By 1999, Hogan deviated from his dark “heel” persona and returned to his traditional red and yellow attire.
In 2002, Hogan made a return to the WWE as his career reached its twilight. He participated in a notable feud with younger superstar Randy Orton, culminating in Hogan’s last match at the 2006 SummerSlam event. Hogan pinned Orton, the self-named “Legend Killer,” for a victory.
Hogan, who also appeared in the promotion Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA), was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005. His membership was suspended for three years starting in 2015 after video showed Hogan using a racial slur, leading WWE to terminate his contract. Hogan returned to live WWE programming in 2019 and most recently appeared in an episode of the weekly Monday night Raw show in January 2025.
Hogan has shared his experiences as a professional wrestler in a 2002 autobiography, Hollywood Hulk Hogan.
Hulk Hogan in Movies and TV
As Hogan’s star power rose in the ring, the wrestler sought to capitalize in other forms of entertainment. Actor Sylvester Stallone cast him in his first movie role as fictional wrestler Thunderlips, or the “Ultimate Male,” in the 1982 sequel Rocky III.
By 1985, Hogan had acquired tremendous popularity among Americans. His image was marketed to sell a multitude of products, and he began to take on leading roles in other movies. In 1989, Hogan starred in the wrestling movie No Holds Barred. This film was moderately successful, but was followed by several low performing movie projects, including Suburban Commando (1991), Mr. Nanny (1993) and Santa with Muscles (1996).
Hogan also appeared on TV shows, including The A-Team (1985-86); The Love Boat (1986); Dolly, a variety series hosted by Dolly Parton (1987); and Baywatch (1996).
Hogan gave television viewers an inside look into his family life in the reality series Hogan Knows Best, which first aired in the summer of 2005. The show followed the daily lives of Hogan and his ex-wife Linda as they raised their teenage children, daughter Brooke and son Nick. Early on, the show earned some comparisons to veteran rocker Ozzy Osbourne’s hit reality show, The Osbournes. In response, Hogan called his family “the anti-Osbournes.”
In January 2008, he was tapped to co-host the reality competition American Gladiators with Laila Ali, the daughter of Muhammad Ali. The show aired for two seasons. That fall, Hogan became the host and executive producer of Hulk Hogan’s Celebrity Championship Wrestling. The show pitted celebrities against each other in a competition to see who is the best celebrity wrestler. Competitors included Danny Bonaduce, Todd Bridges, and Dennis Rodman.
Away from Wrestling
Hogan has tried a variety of business ventures throughout his career. In 1995, he opened a restaurant called Hulk Hogan’s Pastamania! at the Mall of America in Minnesota. It closed in less than a year.
In 2006, he launched the energy drink Hogan Energy and, soon after, a line of frozen patties called Hulkster Cheeseburger.
Hogan claimed he was originally offered the chance to endorse the countertop grill made famous by boxer George Foreman but instead sponsored the Hulkamania Meatball Maker. “So basically, $550 million later, George got the Lean, Mean Grilling Machine and I got a blender that when you put AA batteries in, it would fart and then turn off,” Hogan quipped in 2011.
Most recently, Hogan launched Real American Beer, a light lager brand, to supermarket chains and alcohol retailers across 17 states in June 2024. The beer is an official partner of the Drag Illustrated World Series of Pro Mod drag racing series.
RNC and Inauguration Appearances for Donald Trump
In addition to his entrepreneurial endeavors, Hogan expressed a desire to run for national political office. “We need somebody in there that’s got some common sense, you know what I’m saying?” Hogan said during a 2024 appearance on Fox & Friends. “So if you need a president or a vice president, I’ll volunteer and take this country over, and I’ll rule with an iron fist.”
And, Hogan emerged as one of the most vocal supporters of President Donald Trump—who was featured in WWE storylines prior to his political career and is a member of the brand’s Hall of Fame. Hogan delivered a speech at the 2024 Republican National Convention. “I’m here tonight because I want the world to know that Donald Trump is a real American hero, and I’m proud to support my hero as the next president,” Hogan said.
Scandals
In April 2012, a sex tape of Hogan and Heather Clem, the then-wife of radio personality Bubba the Love Sponge, was leaked online. Both Hogan and Clem claimed they were unaware that they were being filmed. That fall, Hogan sued the couple for invasion of privacy and a settlement shortly followed.
But Hogan’s problems turned for the worse when Gawker published a short clip of the sex tape in October 2012. Repercussions of the scandal continued when, in 2015, transcripts of the tape leaked that included anti-Black rants made by the wrestler. Despite admitting being “racist, to a point,” Hogan quickly admitted he was wrong and that his racial slurs were regrettable. In July 2015, the WWE terminated its contract with Hogan.
Radar Online added to his problems when it reported he also made homophobic slurs on the sex tape and discovered he made racist comments during a recorded phone call to his imprisoned son in 2008.
As a result of these scandals, various sponsors stopped doing business with Hogan or selling the celebrity’s merchandise. Hogan, who used his legal name Terry Bollea in court, sued Gawker for defamation, loss of privacy, and emotional pain and was awarded $140 million in damages by a Florida jury in March 2016. Peter Thiel, the Silicon Valley billionaire who co-founded PayPal, helped to fund the invasion of privacy lawsuit, as well as other cases brought against the media company. Thiel’s homosexuality was the subject of a 2007 article published by Gawker. “It’s less about revenge and more about specific deterrence,” Thiel said in an interview with the New York Times. “I saw Gawker pioneer a unique and incredibly damaging way of getting attention by bullying people even when there was no connection with the public interest.”
The financial hit Gawker took as a result of the verdict contributed to the company filing bankruptcy in June 2016. In August 2016, the company was sold through an auction to Univision for $135 million. In November 2016, Gawker reached a $31 million cash settlement with Hogan, which also called for him to receive proceeds from a possible future sale of Gawker.com.
Wife, Children, and Family
Hogan lived in Clearwater, Florida, with his wife Sky Daily, until his death in July 2025. The pair wed in September 2023.
Daily, roughly 25 years Hogan’s junior, is a yoga instructor. According to People, the pair met through a mutual friend and were first spotted together at a Bret Michaels concert in February 2022.
In 2010, Hogan married his second wife, Jennifer McDaniel, whom he had been dating since 2008. The pair finalized their divorce in 2021.
Hogan was a father of two—daughter Brooke (born in 1988) and son Nick (born 1990)—from his first marriage to Linda Claridge. The family was thrust into the public eye thanks to their VH1 reality series Hogan Knows Best, which aired for four seasons through 2007. However, a family hardship occurred off-camera. In August 2007, Nick was involved in a car crash that left his friend John Graziano critically injured. Law enforcement officials arrested Nick three months later for his role in the accident.
In May 2008, Nick pled no contest to a felony count of reckless driving and received an eight-month prison sentence. Around this time, Hogan’s wife Linda filed for divorce, seeking to end their 24-year marriage. Hogan initially told the press he hoped to reconcile, but his wife later dismissed the notion.
The couple finalized their divorce in 2009. Two years later, details of the settlement revealed Linda had received more than 70 percent of the couple’s liquid assets and 40 percent ownership in Hogan’s companies.
Brooke, a singer who has released two albums and starred in her own TV show Brooke Knows Best, shared in September 2023 that she distanced herself from her family “for my own journey to healing and happiness.” She and her husband Steven Oleksy welcomed twins on January 15.
Hogan also had an older brother, Allan, who died in 1986. He explained on the This Past Weekend podcast with Theo Von that following the deaths of his brother and sister-in-law, he provided financial support for their three children. “My parents helped and then my other side of the family helped, but I was the guy,” Hogan said.
Net Worth
Celebrity Net Worth estimated Hogan’s total fortune at around $25 million at the time of his death. This figure takes into account his divorce from ex-wife Linda and Hogan’s settlement from the Gawker lawsuit. She received more than 70 percent of the couple’s liquid assets and 40 percent ownership in Hogan’s companies as part of their settlement.
Death
On July 24, 2025, Hogan died of cardiac in his Florida home. He was 71 years old. Hogan had been hospitalized for neck issues a week before his passing. He is survived by his wife, Sky Daily, and his two kids, Nick and Brooke.
Quotes
- Whatcha gonna do when Hulkamania runs wild on you?!
- To all my little Hulkamaniacs, say your prayers, take your vitamins, and you will never go wrong.
- Wrestling has taken its toll. I wrestled almost 40 years off and on, and I probably should have quit at the 20-year mark.
- The moment I come home, the headband comes off the bald head and, you know, it's just Terry: dad, father, husband, friend.
St. Martin's Griffin My Life Outside the Ring: A Memoir by Hulk Hogan and Mark Dagostino
World Wrestling Entertainment The Best of WCW Monday Nitro, Vol. 2 DVD
WWE Ultimate Edition Hulk Hogan Collectible
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