Wrestling Legend Hulk Hogan Dies at 71 – Weeks Earlier, His Wife Shared a Health Update

Even as his physical condition declined, Hulk Hogan continued to present himself with resilience. He appeared at events, gave interviews, and stayed involved in wrestling circles long after most of his peers had stepped away. He spoke openly about the toll his career had taken.

In the weeks before Hulk Hogan's death at 71, growing speculation about his health prompted his wife to respond publicly. She addressed the circulating rumors head-on, confirming that he had recently undergone a serious medical procedure and was in the midst of recovery.

Though she intended to dispel concern, her remarks also pointed to ongoing challenges, which were kept private. The details surrounding that update, alongside the wrestler's long history of health issues, now frame the events that followed in a new light.

Built for Fame, Not for Longevity

Hogan began his professional wrestling career in 1977, adopting the stage name that would soon become a household brand. With his towering frame, trademark blond hair, and unmistakable horseshoe mustache, he quickly rose to prominence and became one of the most recognizable figures in sports entertainment.

His big break came in the early 1980s when he signed with what was then known as the World Wrestling Federation (WWF), now WWE. By 1985, he was headlining the inaugural WrestleMania, where his explosive charisma and theatrical showmanship set a new standard for televised wrestling.

Over the following decades, he faced and often defeated some of the industry's biggest names, including Andre the Giant, Randy Savage, and The Rock. Beyond the ring, Hogan carved out a successful expanded his public presence through acting and television appearances.

He appeared in films such as "Rocky III," "No Holds Barred," and "Mr. Nanny." He also starred in TV shows including "Thunder in Paradise" and "Hogan Knows Best," which offered a glimpse into his family life. He lent his name and image to commercials, video games, and even music.

His group, The Wrestling Boot Band, released an album in 1995 that reached No. 12 on Billboard's Top Kid Audio chart. But behind the fame was a career built on intense physicality. As one of wrestling's most visible figures, he maintained a grueling schedule well into his 50s, a pace that would leave lasting consequences.

Decades of Pain: The Physical Toll of Wrestling

The showmanship that made Hogan famous also came with a heavy cost. Beneath the bright lights and roaring crowds was a career built on repeated physical punishment. From the start of his wrestling journey in the late 1970s, Hogan endured the impact of hard landings, heavy lifts, and high-risk stunts.

By his own account, he underwent at least 25 surgeries between 2014 and 2024 alone. "I've had like 25 surgeries in the last 10 years — 10 back surgeries," he told Logan Paul in 2024. He also shared that he'd had both knees and both hips replaced, along with operations on his shoulders. Despite these setbacks, Hogan remarked, "It's all cool, man. No regrets."

The conditions he wrestled in early on were especially harsh. "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," he explained. He described one 22-foot boxing-style ring with exposed boards and poor padding. "Andre used to tell me, 'Boss, don't fall down. You won't get back up.'"

These conditions and decades of dropping his signature leg drop move accelerated the wear on his body. In one anecdote, Hogan recalled wrestling without knee pads in Japan, weighing 330 pounds at the time. After just two years in the business, he said, "the left knee [was] already gone." Still, he continued performing for years, often pushing through pain.

A Major Surgery and the Speculations That Followed

In May 2025, Hogan underwent a serious spinal operation that would become a central part of his final health battle. Initially described by his representative as a "little fusion procedure" intended to make him "feel a little better," the surgery was said to be successful.

The 71-year-old was reportedly back to work the very next day, a quick turnaround that appeared to downplay the seriousness of the operation. The following month, rumors began to circulate online, claiming that Hogan was gravely ill or even on his deathbed.

The speculation intensified after radio host Bubba the Love Sponge, an old acquaintance of Hogan's, claimed that the wrestling star was hospitalized with heart failure and "might not make it." These claims spread rapidly, prompting fans to seek answers.

On July 12, Sky Daily, Hogan's wife, took to Instagram to shut down the speculation. Sharing a screenshot of a question from a follower asking if Hogan was in a coma and dying, she responded, "No, he's definitely not in a coma! His heart is strong, and there was never any lack of oxygen or brain damage. None of those rumors are true."

She then revealed the true nature of Hogan's recent health battle, explaining that he had been recovering from a four-level Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion — commonly referred to as ACDF surgery.

Daily explained that the procedure had affected more than just his spine. "If you look it up, you'll see what the last six weeks have involved," she wrote. "We’ve been in and out of the hospital to support that recovery. So truly, there's no need for the drama or panic some people try to stir up."

ACDF is a serious surgical procedure performed through the front of the neck to remove pressure on the spinal cord or nerve roots. It's commonly used to treat degenerative disc disease, arthritis-related bone spurs, or disc herniation, conditions that build up gradually and can cause significant pain, weakness, or nerve damage over time.

After removing the problematic discs, surgeons stabilize the area by inserting a bone graft or implant, allowing the bones to fuse over time. This helps relieve chronic pain and prevent nerve damage.

In Hogan's case, the procedure was extensive, addressing four cervical levels. That kind of multi-level fusion involves greater risk and a longer recovery than standard ACDF surgeries. Though most patients return home the next day and taper off pain medication within a few weeks, the healing process can be far more demanding in complex cases.

Vocal strain, swallowing difficulty, and breathing issues are known side effects in the short term. The surgery is relatively common in the U.S., with approximately 132,000 ACDF procedures performed each year. Despite its frequency, it's classified as major surgery, particularly when multiple vertebrae are involved, as they were in Hogan's case.

Daily's goal was to quiet the alarm, but in doing so, she revealed the extent of what Hogan had been facing. The family had kept the details largely private until the public narrative began to spiral out of their control.

The Final Days and Sudden Decline

While Daily maintained a calm and reassuring tone in her update, Hogan's condition appeared to be more fragile than previously known. A source close to the family later revealed that in his final weeks, the wrestling legend was struggling with a very "weak heart."

According to the source, Hogan had begun to experience shortness of breath, became easily fatigued, and had lost a noticeable amount of weight. He was also said to be relying on supplemental oxygen at home. By the morning of July 24, 2025, those private concerns turned urgent.

Clearwater Fire and Rescue received a 911 call at 9:51 a.m., reporting a cardiac emergency at Hogan's residence in Clearwater, Florida. Emergency responders arrived and transported him to Morton Plant Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. His manager, Chris Volo, later confirmed that Hogan died surrounded by family.

The sudden nature of his death contrasted with the narrative that had been presented just weeks earlier by his wife and representative. While the surgery he underwent in May was physically demanding, it was not publicly linked to any immediate life-threatening condition. Yet behind the curtain, his health had been quietly deteriorating, culminating in the cardiac event that ended his life.