He suffered months of ill health recently, it’s claimed…

Tributes are flooding in following the death of wrestling legend Hulk Hogan at the age of 71.

News reports of the WWE star’s death broke late this afternoon (July 24), after first responders responded to a call from his Clearwater, Florida home. His death comes after reports of ill health and hospitalisation over the past couple of months.

The death of Hulk Hogan has sent fresh shockwaves through the showbiz world (Credit: Cover Images)

Hulk Hogan death aged 71

It was reported that emergency services were called to the star’s home on Thursday morning, US time. It’s claimed first responders were despatched after receiving a call about a “cardiac arrest,” according to TMZ.

Paramedics and police patrol were reportedly parked outside of the star’s home. He was reportedly wheeled out of his home on a stretcher and into an ambulance, TMZ reported.

The shock death comes just weeks after his third wife Sky denied rumours he was on his deathbed in a coma. She claimed his heart was “strong” after he underwent a routine neck surgery. His representative also said in a statement last month: “He’s had problems with his back for years but there’s no emergency.”

Reports claim he suffered a cardiac arrest (Credit: Cover Images)

Tributes pour in

Twitter was awash with tributes within minutes of the news breaking.

One said: “Hulk Hogan was a genuine, uniquely American creation. Fearlessly original. Flawed but unbowed. He had the courage to stand on his own principles, and he never stopped fighting for his country. An American icon. He will be missed.”

Impossible to describe what Hulk Hogan meant to kids like me as we grew up in the 1980s.

Another added: “REST IN PEACE, Hulk Hogan!”

“Rest easy brother,” said a third. “Impossible to describe what Hulk Hogan meant to kids like me as we grew up in the 1980s. He was every bit as big of an icon as Michael Jackson, Madonna, or any other pop culture figure at the time. Larger than life. RIP Brother,” said another.

Career highs

Born Terry Gene Bollea, Hulk Hogan found fame in 1983, where he headlined eight of the first nine editions of the WWF’s flagship annual event WrestleMania.

He transformed professional wrestling into a family entertainment sport. His theatrics in the ring were magnetic for children and their parents, and it supercharged the sport. Hogan became a fan-favourite, famed for ripping off his iconic yellow T-shirt after he entered the ring.

He even fought Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson and was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame twice.

Marriage lows

The star was married three times.

On December 18, 1983, Hogan married Linda Claridge. They have a daughter Brooke (born May 5, 1988) and a son Nick (born July 27, 1990). They split in 2009, amid allegations he cheated.

He wed Jennifer McDaniel in 2010. They divorced 12 years later. Hogan married third wife – Sky Daily – in September 2023.

Hulk Hogan’s health concerns

His death comes after months of ill health.

Last month, friend and former WCW exec Eric Bischoff confirmed the star had undergone surgery. However, he said: “Hulk Hogan had a very successful cervical surgery and is experiencing some adverse reaction. He’s doing well and should be home later today. Doctors are expecting a full recovery.”

Rumours were doing the rounds last week, though, that the star was “on his deathbed” and his friends and family had started gathering to say goodbye.

Hogan had previously opened up about undergoing “25 surgeries in the past decade”. He told Jake Paul’s IMPAULSIVE podcast last year: “10 of them were back surgeries. I’ve had both knees and hips replaced, shoulders — everything.”