Legendary WWE wrestler Hulk Hogan died of a heart attack, according to a Florida medical examiner’s report.
Hogan, 71, was pronounced dead in hospital last week, less than 90 minutes after medics arrived at his home in Clearwater, Florida, in response to a call about a “cardiac arrest”.
The report released on Thursday noted his death was from a “natural” cause and formally listed as “acute myocardial infarction”, a technical term for a heart attack.
In his honour, Florida governor Ron DeSantis said flags will be flown at half-mast at all official buildings on Friday, which he declared “Hulk Hogan Day in Florida”.
The pro-wrestling icon, whose real name was Terry Gene Bollea, previously had leukaemia and atrial fibrillation, an irregular heart rhythm, the report from the District Six Medical Examiner added.
Hogan was perhaps the biggest star in WWE’s long history.
Wrestler Hulk Hogan (R) headlocks WrestleMania champion John Cena. File pic: Reuters
He was known for both his larger-than-life personality, including ripping shirts, not just in the ring but also at the Republican National Convention.
Hogan was the main draw for the first-ever WrestleMania in 1985 and was a fixture for years in its signature event.
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He faced everyone from Andre The Giant and Randy Savage to The Rock and even company chairman Vince McMahon.
He claimed his first WWE world championship by defeating the Iron Sheik in 1984.
Hulk Hogan and Ric Flair in 1990. Pic: AP
Hogan went on to win five more world championships and was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005 by Sylvester Stallone.
He appeared in numerous movies and television shows, including his own reality series, and in 2024 endorsed Donald Trump’s presidential bid.
Donald Trump and Hulk Hogan at the Republican National Convention in July 2024. Pic: Reuters
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His death prompted the US president to pay tribute in a Truth Social post, writing that the “Hulkster” was “strong, tough, smart, but with the biggest heart”.
Among the world of wrestling, WWE icon The Undertaker wrote on X that “the wrestling world has lost a true legend”, while former WWE wrestler Triple H said Hogan was “the archetype of what it meant to be a ‘Superstar’ – a global sensation that inspired millions”.
Hogan was married three times and had two children.
His wife Sky Daily posted on Instagram that Hogan “had been dealing with some health issues, but I truly believed we would overcome them”.
“This loss is sudden and impossible to process,” she added. “To the world, he was a legend… but to me, he was my Terry.”
