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Pro wrestling icon Hulk Hogan has died at age 71, officials said Thursday. He died surrounded by loved ones, manager Chris Volo told NBC Los Angeles.
Hogan, whose real name was Terry Gene Bollea, reached pop culture icon status during his wrestling heyday in the 1980s. His high-octane stage presence helped propel pro wrestling to the mainstream. He was best known for his work with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) and World Championship Wrestling (WCW).
Hogan saw his seemingly universal popularity shrink in recent years over controversies related to allegations of racism and his support for Donald Trump and the MAGA movement.
He launched an ultimately successful libel lawsuit against former website Gawker over a leaked sex tape — a suit that unearthed audio of Hogan describing himself as a “racist, to a point” and using the N-word while criticizing his daughter’s relationship with a Black man. (He later apologized for the remarks.)
In the following years, he lent his name and likeness to Trump’s political movement, most recently backing him in a speech at last year’s Republican National Convention. He also faced backlash for delivering a racist diatribe attacking Kamala Harris last August.
“Hulk Hogan was MAGA all the way — Strong, tough, smart, but with the biggest heart,” Trump posted on Truth Social on Thursday, adding: “He entertained fans from all over the World, and the cultural impact he had was massive. To his wife, Sky, and family, we give our warmest best wishes and love. Hulk Hogan will be greatly missed!”