Hulk Hogan, one of wrestling’s most iconic figures, passed away on Thursday following what authorities described as a serious health condition. His death came shortly after his loved ones had attempted to push back against claims that his health had worsened in the days leading up to the tragedy.
The 71-year-old wrestling legend was confirmed dead roughly one hour after emergency medical responders arrived at his residence in Clearwater, Florida. According to audio obtained by TMZ, a 911 call was placed around 10 a.m., indicating he had suffered cardiac arrest.
Officials from the Clearwater Police Department confirmed to reporters during a short briefing that Hogan had encountered a critical health emergency. He was transported to a local medical facility but was pronounced dead at approximately 11:17 a.m.
Authorities have not released a definitive cause of death. However, they confirmed that no foul play was suspected.
Health Challenges Throughout His Career
Hogan, who spent four decades in professional wrestling, went through 25 surgeries and faced various complications linked to steroid use and constant physical impact in the ring. His passing revived speculations about claims that he had been critically ill, rumours that had started spreading weeks before.
Some believed Hogan was either in a coma or unable to move, with these stories gaining attention after they were mentioned on a Florida-based radio show hosted by Todd Clem, known as “The Bubba the Love Sponge Show.”
Clem, a former close associate who once asked Hogan to be his best man before later accusing him of having an affair with his wife, cited what he believed to be a trustworthy source for the health allegations.
Although Hogan’s public relations team rejected the claims, his wife, Sky Daily, clarified that he only had neck surgery in May and had been recovering well since.
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Persistent Speculation Before His Passing
Even as late as July, Clem continued sharing doubts about Hogan’s condition, stating at one point that it was unclear if the wrestling star would appear in public again. Just days before Hogan’s death, another contributor on Clem’s show repeated the claims and alleged that Hogan’s manager had also hinted that the wrestler was seriously unwell.
“He can’t speak properly, his throat is injured, and things are not looking good,” said the host. Clem added that efforts were being made to prevent the public from seeing Hogan in his alleged deteriorating state.
The wrestler’s representatives countered those comments and even stated that Hogan had been participating in karaoke the very night those accusations were aired.
Public Appearances and Longstanding Controversies
Reports of such a grim nature sharply contrasted with how Hogan presented himself just a year earlier. At the Republican National Convention held in New York City, he gave a lively and forceful speech, tearing off his shirt during the moment he expressed his backing for Donald Trump’s campaign for the presidency.
Despite that strong public display, Hogan had long dealt with issues connected to his physical health. Back in the 1980s, when his wrestling fame peaked, he found himself involved in a scandal regarding performance-enhancing drug use in the sport. Although he initially denied using steroids, Hogan later admitted it.
He was also open about the damage his profession had inflicted on his body.
In a 2023 interview with Muscle and Health, Hogan spoke candidly about the number of procedures he had undergone, ten surgeries on his back alone, in addition to facial, abdominal, knee, hip, and shoulder operations, many of which stemmed from repeated blows and wrestling injuries.
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Struggles with Pain Management and Addiction
The recovery from some of those surgeries proved incredibly challenging. Back-related procedures, in particular, left Hogan heavily reliant on prescribed painkillers. He explained how constant medical prescriptions led him down a dangerous path.
He shared how, after his tenth back surgery, pharmacies would alert him when his medication was ready, and he would instinctively go collect them, unable to resist the urge, likening himself to a dog chasing a bone.
He also faced difficulties with alcohol, admitting that he struggled to keep his drinking in check at certain points.
By 2023, Hogan had decided to give up both alcohol and painkillers completely. He marked this turning point by getting baptized alongside his wife in December that same year.
