The Day Hulkamania Ended: When Did Hulk Hogan Pass Away And The Shocking Details Of His Final Months

The wrestling world was irrevocably changed on July 24, 2025, when one of its biggest legends, Hulk Hogan, passed away at the age of 71. This definitive date marks the end of an era for "Hulkamania," a cultural phenomenon that transcended professional wrestling and defined the 1980s and 90s. The news, confirmed by the WWE and Florida authorities, was a profound shock to millions of fans globally, especially given his high-profile public appearances just weeks before. The passing of the iconic WWE Hall of Famer, whose real name was Terry Bollea, came after a reported cardiac arrest at his home in Clearwater, Florida, closing the chapter on a life filled with monumental career highs and significant personal and health battles. This article delves into the precise timeline of his death, the health struggles that plagued his final months, and the massive wave of tributes from fellow legends like Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson and Triple H.

Hulk Hogan: Biography, Profile, and The Official Date of Death

The man known globally as Hulk Hogan was a pop culture icon whose larger-than-life persona became synonymous with professional wrestling. His career was a blueprint for the modern sports entertainer, but his final years were marked by a relentless struggle with health issues stemming from decades in the ring.

• Real Name: Terry Gene Bollea
• Date of Birth: August 11, 1953
• Place of Birth: Augusta, Georgia, U.S.
• Date of Death: July 24, 2025
• Age at Death: 71
• Cause of Death: Cardiac Arrest (Acute Myocardial Infarction/Heart Attack)
• Residences: Clearwater, Florida (where he passed away)
• Career Highlights: 12-time World Champion (6-time WWF/WWE Champion, 6-time WCW World Heavyweight Champion), WWE Hall of Famer (2005, 2020), Star of *Hogan Knows Best* and *Thunder in Paradise*.
• Key Entities: WWE, WCW, New World Order (nWo), Donald Trump, Dwayne Johnson.

The official date of Hogan's passing, July 24, 2025, was confirmed by the WWE, which released a somber statement mourning the loss of the legendary figure. First responders were called to his Clearwater Beach, Florida home on Thursday morning, responding to a call for cardiac arrest. He passed away shortly after.

The Tragic Health Struggles and The Final Months of The Hulkster

While the world was shocked by the suddenness of his death, those close to Hogan knew he had been battling significant and often "horrific" health complications in his final years. The query "when did hulk hogan pass away" may point to a single day, but the underlying causes were a cumulative effect of his intense career.

A Decade of Surgeries and Lingering Pain

Hulk Hogan was open about the physical toll his wrestling career had taken. In the last ten years of his life, he admitted to undergoing a staggering number of surgeries—reportedly 25 in total—to address the damage to his back, hips, and knees. These procedures, including multiple spinal fusions, often led to complications and a constant state of recovery and rehabilitation. * Spinal Issues: Decades of executing and receiving high-impact moves, like the *Atomic Leg Drop*, led to severe spinal problems. * Neck Complications: In his final months, he suffered a "horrific" reaction following a routine neck surgery, which reportedly left him with difficulty speaking and significantly weakened his overall health. * Steroid Use: Hogan also admitted to past steroid use, a factor that cardiologists and health experts often cite as a major contributor to long-term cardiovascular issues, which ultimately manifested as a fatal cardiac arrest. The combination of chronic lymphocytic issues, numerous surgeries, and the stress on his heart from his past lifestyle culminated in the acute myocardial infarction that claimed his life.

Hulk Hogan's Final Public Appearance and The Global Reaction

Just weeks before his passing, Hogan was in the national spotlight, demonstrating the enduring charisma and energy that made him a global superstar. This contrast between his public vigor and private health battle made the news of his death even more difficult for fans to process.

The RNC Speech: A Final Display of "Hulkamania"

One of his final major public appearances was at the 2024 Republican National Convention (RNC) in Milwaukee. Hogan, a staunch supporter of Donald Trump, delivered a passionate, WWE-themed speech on the final night of the convention. * He famously ripped off his shirt, a signature move, and hollered, "Let Trumpamania run wild!" * He referred to the former President as a "gladiator," delivering one of the most energetic and memorable speeches of the convention. This high-energy appearance, full of the "Hulkamania" spirit, provided a misleading image of his underlying health, underscoring the performer's ability to mask his private pain.

Tributes From The Wrestling Pantheon

The reaction from the wrestling community was immediate and deeply emotional. The news of the death of Terry Bollea sent shockwaves through the industry he helped build. * Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, who famously wrestled Hogan at *WrestleMania X8*, paid an emotional tribute, thanking Hogan for "the house, brother" and acknowledging the path he paved for wrestlers to become global movie stars. * Triple H (Paul Levesque), WWE's Chief Content Officer, was among the first to express his condolences, speaking to the profound impact Hogan had on the entire business model of professional wrestling. * Brutus "The Barber" Beefcake shared a deeply personal and emotional tribute, reflecting on their long friendship and partnership. Hulk Hogan's legacy is not just in the championships he won or the movies he starred in, but in the millions of fans he inspired to "say your prayers and eat your vitamins." While the question of "when did hulk hogan pass away" has a definitive answer—July 24, 2025—the impact of his "Hulkamania" will continue to run wild for generations. The wrestling world lost its biggest icon, but his influence remains the undisputed foundation of sports entertainment.