Hulk Hogan—born Terry Gene Bollea—passed away unexpectedly at age 71 on July 24, 2025, due to cardiac arrest at his Clearwater, Florida home. Paramedics arrived at 9:51 a.m. ET, and despite over 30 minutes of CPR efforts, he was pronounced dead at Morton Plant Hospital at 11:17 a.m. No foul play was suspected by Clearwater authorities.
In a deeply moving revelation, Hogan and his wife Sky Daily were baptized in December 2023, just 18 months before his passing, at Indian Rocks Baptist Church in Largo, Florida. In social media reflections, Hogan described the baptism as “the greatest day of my life”—a spiritual milestone he considered more meaningful than any ring victory.
Sky, in her emotional posthumous tribute, shared her grief over the sudden loss and reaffirmed her belief in Hogan’s peace in faith. She described him as resilient and loving, holding onto devotion through serious physical challenges and surgeries in recent years.
Hogan had endured a series of health issues, including numerous surgeries—on his neck, back, knees, hips, shoulders, and face—suffered over decades of wrestling and physical strain. Sources later likened his worn-down body to that of a “140-year-old man.” Despite his struggles, Hogan remained publicly active, promoting Real American Freestyle, a new wrestling promotion he co-founded, just weeks before his death.
Global reactions poured in immediately. Wrestling legends including Ric Flair, Vince McMahon, The Undertaker, and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson joined WWE and public figures such as former President Donald Trump in paying long-overdue tribute to a man who shaped the face of pro wrestling worldwide.
Hogan’s rise to fame began in the early 1980s, revolutionizing WWE’s mainstream visibility through signature moments like WrestleMania headliners and the NWO heel turn. His iconic persona, catchphrases, and charisma left an indelible mark on pop culture.
In Hogan’s final months, his public appearances—including a rousing appearance on Fox & Friends promoting the Real American Freestyle league in May 2025—reflected the same energy that defined his career. Still, his rapid decline came as a shock, even to those close to him.