Hulk Hogan, the legendary professional wrestler who helped transform the sport into a global phenomenon, died last week from a heart attack, officials confirmed Thursday.
The 71-year-old icon passed away at his Florida home, with the official cause of death listed as “acute myocardial infarction,” a medical term for a heart attack, according to the District 6 medical examiner’s office responsible for Pinellas and Pasco counties.
The manner of death was classified as natural, with the pathologist noting Hogan’s prior medical conditions, including atrial fibrillation and leukemia.
Emergency responders were dispatched to Hogan’s residence exactly one week ago at 9:51 a.m. following reports of cardiac arrest, Clearwater police said in a statement. He was quickly transported to Morton Plant Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 11:17 a.m.
Born Terry Gene Bollea, Hogan’s larger-than-life persona and charismatic performances helped elevate professional wrestling from a niche sport to mainstream entertainment.
He became a cultural icon in the 1980s with his signature shirt-ripping style and explosive charisma, culminating in the unforgettable moment at WrestleMania III in 1987, where he famously slammed wrestling legend André the Giant.
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