According to a statement released on Facebook by the Clearwater Police Department on Thursday, emergency services responded swiftly to a 911 call reporting a medical emergency at Hogan’s residence. Paramedics arrived within minutes and transported him to a nearby hospital, where he was later pronounced dead
Hulk Hogan (Pic: AFP)
Terry Gene Bollea, better known to the world as Hulk Hogan, the flamboyant, mustachioed titan who helped define modern professional wrestling, died at the age of 71 on Thursday. Authorities in Clearwater, Florida, confirmed the news, saying that Hogan suffered a cardiac arrest at his home earlier in the morning.
According to a statement released on Facebook by the Clearwater Police Department on Thursday, emergency services responded swiftly to a 911 call reporting a medical emergency at Hogan’s residence. Paramedics arrived within minutes and transported him to a nearby hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
WWE also released a statement expressing grief over the loss of one of its most legendary figures. "One of pop culture's most recognizable figures, Hogan helped WWE achieve global recognition in the 1980s. WWE extends its condolences to Hogan's family, friends, and fans," read a statement.
With his unmistakable handlebar moustache, signature bandanna, and boundless charisma, Hogan was more than a wrestler, he was a symbol of 1980s Americana, and the face of the WWE’s meteoric rise.
Hogan’s breakthrough came in 1985, when he headlined the inaugural WrestleMania, WWE’s flagship event. From that point on, he became a mainstay in the squared circle, engaging in iconic rivalries with the likes of Andre the Giant, Randy 'Macho Man' Savage, The Rock, and even WWE chairman Vince McMahon. His 'Hulkamania' persona turned him into a household name.
Over the course of his career, Hogan captured at least six WWE championships and was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005.
Outside the ring, Hogan’s life took dramatic turns. In 2016, he won a landmark invasion-of-privacy lawsuit against Gawker Media. A Florida jury awarded him $115 million in damages, later adding $25 million in punitive compensation, after the outlet published a sex tape involving Hogan and the wife of his former best friend. Throughout the high-profile trial, Hogan maintained composure, often appearing in black and managing the public scrutiny with an almost defiant smile.
Funeral arrangements and public memorial plans are expected to be announced by the family in the coming days.
(With inputs from AP)
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