Hulk Hogan’s Cause Of Death Explained

It is the end of an era, folks. The wrestling legend, pop culture icon, and all-around larger-than-life character we all knew as Hulk Hogan has departed this world, leaving behind a legacy as big as his 24-inch pythons. But the burning question that’s been on everyone’s mind since last week? The cause of death. Settle in because we’ve got the details.

What Happened To Hulk Hogan?

Hulk Hogan, whose legal name was Terry Gene Bollea, passed away on July 24, 2025, at the age of 71. While his passing was confirmed almost immediately by WWE and his family, the specifics took a little longer to emerge. According to the information dripped out by the Pinellas County Forensic Science Center and subsequently shared via media outlets, his death was the result of an acute myocardial infarction. A heart attack.

For those of you who aren’t medically inclined, “acute myocardial infarction” simply means the heart wasn’t getting enough blood flow, a situation often caused by coronary artery disease. No autopsy was conducted because, as per the report, Hogan’s primary care physician certified the cause of death. He also had a history of atrial fibrillation (an irregular heartbeat) and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (a type of blood cancer).

The Final Hours

Emergency services were called to Hogan’s Clearwater, Florida, home early that morning for a cardiac arrest report. He was then transported to Morton Plant Hospital. Unfortunately, even the famed resiliency and fighting spirit of WWE’s greatest couldn’t help him kick out of this one. He was pronounced dead shortly thereafter. Police confirmed there were no signs of suspicious activity.

A Legacy That Transcends Wrestling

Before discussing leg drops and body slams, let’s take a moment to reflect on Hulk Hogan’s sheer impact. This wasn’t just a wrestler. The guy didn’t just help put professional wrestling on the map in the 1980s; he was the map.

Hogan’s rivalries with legends such as Macho Man Randy Savage and “Rowdy” Roddy Piper created the blueprint for what sports entertainment is today. Millions of fans, billions in entertainment revenue, and wrestling becoming a mainstream phenomenon.

And remember the epic heel turn? Hogan flipping the wrestling world on its head when he joined the nWo (New World Order) in WCW during the ’90s? If you were a fan, you remember the shockwaves. That moment marked Hogan as one of the most polarizing yet trailblazing figures in wrestling history.

It didn’t stop in the ring, folks. Remember “Thunder in Paradise?” Or that hilariously B-movie masterpiece Suburban Commando? This guy was more than a wrestler; he was a full-blown pop culture phenomenon..

How Did Health Catch Up to Him?

Hulk Hogan’s untouchable aura was not as untouchable in real life. Chronic health issues had been present for years, hinting that the once-unbreakable warrior wasn’t invulnerable after all. The man known for body-slamming 500-pound giants (Andre the Giant, looking at you) had been quietly battling heart issues and blood cancer in recent years.

Add to that decades of physical punishment in the ring, and it is not the most shocking revelation that his body eventually gave out. Wrestling may have been scripted, but those suplexes and chair shots weren’t always fake, folks. Hogan’s life outside the ring wasn’t all smooth sailing, either.

Hulk Hogan’s Final Words to His Fans (Kinda)

The WWE, in its statement following his death, summed it up pretty perfectly. They said Hogan was “one of pop culture’s most recognizable figures” and credited him for taking WWE global back in the ‘80s. And they are right. Whether you loved him as the all-American babyface or hated him as the Hollywood Hogan heel, you felt something about Terry Bollea.

His family has been understandably private about the whole ordeal, but managed to articulate their grief beautifully. His wife, Sky Daily, wrote, “This loss is sudden and impossible to process… To the world, he was a legend… but to me, he was my Terry. The man I loved.”

Why His Story Still Matters

Hogan’s death isn’t just a news story. It is a reminder of the double-edged sword of fame, physical endurance, and pushing limits. He was a man who lived in excess, whether it was in the ring, at the height of celebrity status, or regarding his health. His passing is a loss not just to wrestling fans but to anyone who has been touched by pop culture over the decades.

Whether you tuned in to see him pose under the blaring lights of WrestleMania or groaned through one of his ’90s movie flops, there’s no denying Hulk Hogan stood larger than life. Now he joins wrestling’s pantheon of fallen legends, and the world suddenly feels a little less theatrical.