The world stands a little quieter today, the roar of the crowd dimmed to a reverent hush. Terry Gene Bollea, known to legions of fans across the globe as the immortal Hulk Hogan, has passed away at the age of 71. On July 24, 2025, the man who told millions to train, say their prayers, and eat their vitamins, died in his home in Clearwater, Florida, leaving behind a legacy as colossal as his 24-inch pythons. The cause of death was confirmed as a sudden cardiac arrest, a tragic and ironic end for a man whose persona was built on the symbolic power of his heart and his indomitable spirit.

Emergency services were dispatched to his residence, where they worked tirelessly for over thirty minutes in an attempt to revive the fallen icon. He was subsequently transported to Morton Plant Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 11:17 a.m. The news sent immediate shockwaves not just through the wrestling community, but across the entire landscape of popular culture, a testament to the unparalleled reach of the phenomenon known as “Hulkamania.”

To understand the magnitude of this loss is to understand the revolution Hogan ignited. Before him, professional wrestling was a regional curiosity, a gritty spectacle confined to local territories and smoky arenas. Hogan, with his sun-kissed California tan, flowing blonde hair, and magnetic charisma, transformed it into a global entertainment powerhouse. He was a superhero sculpted from flesh and bone, a walking, talking embodiment of American strength and optimism.

His rise began in the early 1980s when he became the face of the World Wrestling Federation (WWF), now World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). He wasn’t just a champion; he was a cultural movement. “Hulkamania” was more than a catchphrase; it was a promise. It was the belief that with conviction and a warrior’s spirit, any challenge could be overcome. Children and adults alike were captivated. They wore the yellow and red, they ripped their shirts in imitation, and they believed in the power of his three demandments.

Hogan’s presence was so seismic that he headlined eight of the first nine WrestleMania events, the Super Bowl of professional wrestling that he helped build into a pop-culture touchstone. His most iconic moment came at WrestleMania III in 1987, in front of a reported 93,173 fans at the Pontiac Silverdome. There, in a moment forever frozen in time, he lifted the 500-pound André the Giant and slammed him to the mat, a feat that transcended sport and became a piece of modern mythology. It was the irresistible force meeting the immovable object, and on that day, the irresistible force won, cementing Hogan’s place as a legend.

Yet, what made Hogan’s career so enduring was his remarkable ability to reinvent himself. As the 1990s dawned and cultural tastes shifted towards the cynical and anti-authoritarian, the once-beloved hero found his squeaky-clean image growing stale. In a move that was as shocking as it was brilliant, Hogan turned his back on his fans. He joined rival promotion World Championship Wrestling (WCW) and traded his signature red and yellow for black and white, becoming the villainous “Hollywood” Hogan and the leader of the New World Order (nWo).

This heel turn was a masterstroke. It was wrestling’s equivalent of Bob Dylan going electric—a stunning betrayal that revitalized his career and sparked the most successful and talked-about storyline in wrestling history. The nWo dominated the landscape, and Hogan, as its arrogant, guitar-playing leader, was once again the central figure in the entire industry. He proved he could be as compelling a villain as he was a hero, a duality that few performers ever achieve.

His influence was not confined to the squared circle. Hogan was one of the first wrestlers to successfully cross over into mainstream entertainment. His appearance as Thunderlips in the 1982 film Rocky III introduced him to a mass audience and set the stage for his superstardom. He would go on to star in a series of films and television shows, most notably the reality series Hogan Knows Best, which offered a glimpse into his family life and introduced him to a new generation of viewers who had never even seen him wrestle.

Of course, a life lived so publicly was not without its shadows. Hogan faced personal and professional controversies that tested his resilience. His high-profile and costly divorce from his first wife, Linda, in 2009 was a significant financial and emotional blow. Later, a scandal involving leaked audio of racist remarks led to his temporary ostracization from the WWE and a period of public penance. Yet, Hogan always found a way back, his connection with his fanbase proving strong enough to weather the storms.

His financial empire was as impressive as his career. At the time of his passing, his net worth was estimated to be around $25 million. This fortune was amassed through decades of wrestling, lucrative merchandise deals, endorsements, and a landmark $31 million legal settlement from Gawker Media after an invasion of privacy lawsuit. While the 2009 divorce cost him a reported 70% of his liquid assets at the time, his shrewd branding and continued relevance ensured his financial stability.

The passing of Hulk Hogan is the final bell for an era. He was a titan, a showman, and a master of his craft who understood the art of storytelling and emotional connection better than almost anyone. He created a character that will live on forever in the hearts of those who grew up cheering for him, and even those who loved to boo him. He leaves a world that he fundamentally changed, a sport that he elevated to art, and millions of “Hulkamaniacs” who will forever remember the man who made them believe. Whatcha gonna do when Hulkamania runs wild on you? For decades, the answer was simple: you watched, you cheered, and you believed. Now, all that’s left to do is remember.