WWE icon Hulk Hogan, born Terry Bollea, has passed away at 71 following a sudden cardiac arrest at his home in Clearwater, Florida. The wrestling world is reeling after viral video footage captured the desperate attempts of emergency responders to save the beloved superstar.
Early Thursday morning, Florida first responders were dispatched to Hulk Hogan’s residence on Eldorado Avenue after a 911 call reported a cardiac arrest. The chilling TikTok video shows paramedics performing chest compressions as they wheeled the unconscious star out of his home and into an ambulance. Despite the frantic efforts of Clearwater Fire & Rescue and a swift transport to Morton Plant Hospital, Hogan was later pronounced dead.
Though the news came as a shock, Hogan had faced mounting health challenges in recent years. Just two months prior, he underwent neck surgery to address lingering pain, an operation described at the time as a minor “fusion procedure.” His wife, Sky Daily, had recently dismissed rumors about his health, insisting his heart was strong, according to Radar Online.
Hulk Hogan Suffered Years of Physical Pain and Health Setbacks
But the toll of decades spent in the wrestling ring told a different story. Between 2014 and 2024 alone, Hulk Hogan underwent an astonishing 25 surgeries. These include procedures on his back, hips, knees, shoulders, and abdomen. In interviews, he spoke candidly about the chronic pain he endured. And how it led to a serious pain pill addiction.
The wrestling legend admitted he reached a breaking point several years ago. He realized he no longer needed the medication but continued to take it out of habit. That moment of self-awareness marked a turning point, but it came after years of wear and tear on his body.
Hogan was not only a global wrestling phenomenon but a household name whose impact reached far beyond the ring. He helped define the golden era of professional wrestling, becoming a symbol of strength, charisma, and resilience. His reality show, Hogan Knows Best, gave fans an intimate look at his life with his children, Brooke and Nick, and his then-wife Linda. In recent years, he found love again with Sky Daily. Despite rumors swirling about his declining health, Hogan remained determined to keep moving forward.
Hulk Hogan’s final moments were marked by the same grit and determination that defined his decades-long career. Behind the spotlight and championship belts was a man who endured relentless physical pain and personal struggles. His passing is not just a loss to wrestling. But to generations of fans who saw him as a symbol of strength and perseverance. Though his larger-than-life presence is gone. The legacy he built through passion, resilience, and sheer willpower will live on in the hearts of millions.
Casey James 
Sofia Bassett 
