Wrestler Hulk Hogan has died at 71 after suffering a cardiac arrest on July 24, 2025, in Clearwater, Florida, according to authorities.
In the weeks leading up to his death, rumors had been circulating about Hogan’s health. Recent speculation alleged he was on his deathbed, which Hogan’s representatives denied. There are “no reasons to panic,” they said in a statement to E! News on June 18.
That said, Hogan, born Terry Gene Bollea, had been dealing with longstanding neck and back injuries sustained over his decadeslong career. Since retirement, he’s undergone numerous surgeries to correct them, and he’d been candid about the impact they had on his quality of life since retiring from the sport in 2013 — though he'd signed a new five-year contract with WWE just last year.
“I’ve had, like, 25 surgeries in the last 10 years. Ten of them were back surgeries,” Hogan revealed to Logan Paul during an episode of the Impaulsive podcast from September 2024. “Nobody told me this gimmick stuff was fake. I’ve had 10 back surgeries, both knees and both hips replaced, shoulders — everything.”
The injuries and the procedures, he went on to say, left him struggling to walk at times.
Ahead, here's what Hogan revealed about his health, his injuries and the efforts to repair them.
Hulk Hogan Recently Had Neck Surgery
In May 2025, a representative for Hogan confirmed to TMZ that the “Hogan Knows Best” star underwent a “little fusion procedure” on his neck to help him “feel a little better.” By the following day, his rep confirmed, Hogan was back to work.
His rep also confirmed to E! News that his neck surgery had “indeed been successful.”
There Were Rumors About His Heart Health
Speculation about Hogan dying first began to circulate in June 2025, when radio host Bubba the Love Sponge said he’d heard rumors that Hogan’s loved ones were coming to his bedside for final goodbyes. “Allegedly, Hogan is in the hospital, and I’ve heard people say that he might not make it,” the host said. “I think it’s a heart issue. I’ve been told that he publicly talked about a neck fusion surgery.”
The host said his sources were “pretty d--n reliable,” but a representative from Hogan’s team shut down the rumors in their statement to E! News.
Three days before Hogan's death, Bubba spoke about Hogan's health again. The radio host and one of his co-hosts Lummy claimed that Jimmy Hart, Hogan's former manager, and a security guard confirmed Hogan was not doing well and was transported in unmarked ambulances and that he couldn't talk. Bubba said he'd learned Hogan's complications began after his neck and back surgeries.
However, two days before his death, Hart posted on X that Hogan was "doing phenomenal."
He Had 10 Back Surgeries
Of the host of injuries Hogan sustained throughout his career, including those to his hips, shoulder and knees, his back required the most medical intervention.
Last month, Hogan’s rep told E! News that the wrestler had “had problems with his back” for years, and Hogan confirmed it required 10 surgeries during his interview with Paul. The reason his back was so hurt? Wrestling equipment.
"The equipment back in the day when I started wrestling in ’77 was a little different than the rings and stuff you guys are working in now,” Hogan told Paul. “André (The Giant) used to tell me, ‘Boss, don’t fall down. You won’t get back up.’ It was like a 22-foot boxing ring that had lumps in it, boards sticking up — it was horrible,” he added.
English (US) ·