5 Shocking Controversies That Defined Hulk Hogan's Legacy (Including His Final Scandal In 2024)

Terry Gene Bollea, known globally as the iconic "Hollywood" Hulk Hogan, passed away in 2024, but the controversies that plagued his life outside the wrestling ring continue to define his complex legacy. The WWE Hall of Famer, a figure who transcended professional wrestling to become a global pop culture phenomenon, was also a magnet for media storms, facing career-ending scandals that involved leaked tapes, racial slurs, high-stakes litigation, and recent political backlash. As of December 10, 2025, the conversation around Hogan remains a duality: celebrating the wrestling legend while scrutinizing the man whose public life was often marred by shocking and damaging personal choices. The most recent controversy surrounding Hogan involved his political endorsements and comments made in 2024, adding a final, polarizing chapter to a career already filled with public relations disasters. His passing has brought renewed focus to the entirety of his controversial history, prompting a fresh look at the events that saw his brand tarnished, his wealth challenged, and his reputation forever altered.

The Man Behind The Controversy: Hulk Hogan's Biography and Profile

Terry Gene Bollea, the man who became Hulk Hogan, was born in Augusta, Georgia, and grew up in Tampa, Florida. His career spanned decades, transitioning from a beloved "Real American" hero to a villainous "Hollywood" NWO leader, but his personal life often overshadowed his professional triumphs.

• Ring Name: Hulk Hogan, Hollywood Hogan
• Real Name: Terry Gene Bollea
• Date of Birth: August 11, 1953
• Date of Death: 2024 (Age 71)
• Hometown: Venice Beach, California (billed)
• Debut: 1977
• Key Organizations: World Wrestling Federation (WWF/WWE), World Championship Wrestling (WCW), Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA)
• Finishing Move: Atomic Leg Drop
• Family: Ex-Wife Linda Hogan; Daughter Brooke Hogan; Son Nick Hogan
• Notable Accolades: 12-time World Champion, WWE Hall of Famer

The Gawker Lawsuit: The Sex Tape, Peter Thiel, and The $140 Million Verdict

One of the most defining and financially catastrophic controversies of Hulk Hogan's life was the highly publicized invasion of privacy lawsuit against Gawker Media. This legal battle was not just a celebrity scandal; it became a landmark case about press freedom, privacy rights, and the power of billionaire-funded litigation.

The Leaked Sex Tape and Invasion of Privacy

The core of the controversy began in 2012 when Gawker, a now-defunct media company, posted a short excerpt of a private sex tape featuring Hogan and Heather Clem, the then-wife of radio personality Bubba the Love Sponge. Hogan, under his real name Terry Bollea, sued Gawker for invasion of privacy, seeking damages for the emotional distress and harm to his public image.

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The Stunning Verdict and Settlement Details

In March 2016, a Florida jury sided with Hogan, awarding him a staggering $140 million in damages. This massive verdict sent shockwaves through the media industry and ultimately led to Gawker Media filing for bankruptcy. The case took a dramatic turn when it was revealed that the lawsuit was secretly financed by Silicon Valley billionaire Peter Thiel, who held a long-standing grudge against Gawker. This element added a layer of complexity, turning a celebrity scandal into a national discussion about third-party litigation funding and media accountability.

The legal saga eventually concluded with a settlement. In November 2016, Gawker settled with Hogan for $31 million, significantly less than the original verdict but enough to finalize the company's demise. The Gawker lawsuit remains the most significant legal battle of Hogan's life, forever linking his name to the intersection of celebrity privacy and media ethics.

The Racist Remarks Scandal and WWE Firing

Just as the Gawker lawsuit was reaching its climax, a separate, more damaging controversy erupted that directly impacted Hogan's professional career and public persona. In 2015, a transcript from the same sealed sex tape recording was leaked, revealing Hogan making deeply offensive and racist remarks.

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The Context of the Slurs

The leaked audio, which was recorded years earlier, captured Hogan using the N-word multiple times while discussing his daughter, Brooke Hogan, and her dating life. The comments expressed his frustration with his daughter dating a Black man, using appalling racial slurs and statements that contradicted the "Hulkamania" image of tolerance and heroism he had spent decades cultivating.

Immediate Professional Consequences

The backlash was immediate and severe. The WWE, the company that had built its global brand on Hogan's back, swiftly terminated his contract. He was removed from the WWE Hall of Fame, and all references to him were scrubbed from the company's website and programming. This was arguably the most devastating blow to his career, as it severed his ties with the industry that made him famous. Hogan issued a public statement apologizing for his language, calling his words "offensive" and admitting that he used "offensive language during a conversation eight years ago."

While the WWE later reinstated him to the Hall of Fame in 2018, the racial slur controversy left an indelible mark on his legacy, forcing a reckoning with the stark difference between the on-screen character and the private views of Terry Bollea.

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2024 Political and Sexist Comments: The Final Public Backlash

In the final year of his life, Hulk Hogan once again found himself at the center of a public firestorm, this time for his outspoken political views and subsequent controversial comments.

Endorsing Donald Trump and The RNC Appearance

Hogan was a prominent supporter of Donald Trump during the 2024 presidential election. His appearance at the Republican National Convention (RNC) was vintage Hogan, complete with ripping his shirt off to reveal a "Trump 2024" tank top. This public display of political support instantly polarized his fanbase, adding a new layer of political controversy to his already divisive image.

Comments on Kamala Harris and Sexism

The political engagement quickly spiraled into another scandal. During this period, Hogan made comments about "body-slamming Kamala Harris," which were widely criticized as inappropriate and inflammatory. Furthermore, he garnered additional criticism for making what were perceived as sexist remarks while endorsing the former President. These statements, coming so late in his career, cemented his reputation as a polarizing figure whose comments frequently landed him in hot water.

The 2024 controversy, involving his political endorsements and the subsequent backlash over his language, served as a final, high-profile reminder that the wrestling icon was never far from a public relations crisis. His death shortly after these events put an end to the possibility of a public apology or clarification regarding his most recent statements.

The Lingering Legacy of Controversy

Hulk Hogan's life was a study in contradictions. He was the biggest star in the history of professional wrestling, responsible for the "Hulkamania" boom and the resurgence of the NWO stable. Yet, his legacy is perpetually intertwined with the dark side of celebrity: the invasion of privacy of the Gawker case, the fallout from the racist slurs, the admission of past steroid use in 1994, and the recent political and sexist remarks.

Ultimately, the controversies surrounding Terry Bollea, from the multi-million dollar Gawker settlement to the WWE suspension, ensure that the story of Hulk Hogan will always be told in two parts: the legendary, larger-than-life wrestling superstar, and the flawed, often scandal-ridden man who struggled to navigate the intense scrutiny of the public eye. His story serves as a cautionary tale about the permanence of digital media and the cost of maintaining a public image.