Hulk Hogan, the legendary professional wrestler and pop culture icon, has died at 71, confirmed by Florida police and World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE).
Hogan, whose real name was Terry Bollea, passed away on Thursday after authorities responded to a cardiac arrest call in Clearwater, Florida.
Hogan was arguably the biggest star in WWE history, headlining the first WrestleMania in 1985 and captivating audiences for years with his larger-than-life persona.
He faced off against wrestling giants like Andre The Giant and Randy “Macho Man” Savage, accumulating at least six WWE championships and earning a spot in the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005.
Beyond the ring, Hogan made headlines in 2016, winning a $115 million ($97 million) lawsuit against Gawker Media over a privacy violation.
WWE expressed its condolences on social media, recognizing Hogan’s immense impact: “One of pop culture’s most recognisable figures, Hogan helped WWE achieve global recognition in the 1980s.”
His death marks the end of an era for wrestling and entertainment.
