Wrestling star Hulk Hogan’s sudden death Thursday following a “serious medical issue” came after his friends and family tried to quash reports that he was in failing health in recent weeks. 

The wrestling mega-star died at age 71 about an hour after medics responded to his Clearwater, Florida home. The initial 911 call at 10 a.m. was for cardiac arrest, according to audio obtained by TMZ.

“[Hogan] was experiencing a serious medical related issue,” the Clearwater Police Department told reporters during a brief press conference after the death.

A police car parked outside the Clearwater home of Hulk Hogan, on Thursday. John Yanchoris for NY Post

Media covering Hulk Hogan’s death outside his Florida home. REUTERS

Sen. JD Vance with Hulk Hogan and his wife at the Republican National Convention. CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images

Hogan was taken to a nearby hospital but that he died around 11:17 a.m.

No official cause of death was revealed, though officials confirmed foul play was not suspected.

Hogan has undergone 25 surgeries and had health problems from steroid use and the repeated punishment he sustained during his 40 years in the ring. 

But his death left many wondering about recent rumors that Hogan was on his deathbed — or even paralyzed in a coma — which began swirling after a former friend made the claims on his radio show last month.

Hulk Hogan signing autographs at Fanatics Fest NYC. Michelle Farsi/New York Post

Police car outside Hulk Hogan’s Florida home. REUTERS

Hulk Hogan strikes a pose on July 2, 2025, just weeks before his death. Instagram/@hulkhogan

Hogan was briefly treated by emergency responders at his Florida home before his death on Thursday. Getty Images

“Allegedly Hogan is in the hospital and I’ve heard people say that he might not make it,” said Todd Clem that month on his widely listened to Florida radio program, “The Bubba the Love Sponge Show.”

Clem – who asked Hogan to be the best man in his wedding before the wrestler slept with his wife – said his information came from a “pretty damn reliable” source.

Hogan was taken to a nearby Clearwater hospital. Stephen Yang

Hogan’s reps denied the health claims, with his wife Sky Daily explaining that he’d only undergone a neck surgery in May and was quickly recovering.

As of July, Clem hadn’t let up on the rumors, saying at one point “I don’t know if we’ll ever see Hogan again.”

The wrestling icon was an outspoken supporter of President Trump in recent years. Ron Sachs – CNP for NY Post / MEGA

And on Monday — just days before his death — another member of the radio show doubled down and said Hogan’s manager had been telling people the wrestler was in trouble.

“Hogan’s not doing well, he can’t speak, his trachea or whatever’s damaged and he’s having problems and it does not look good,” the radio host said. Clem adding that precautions were being taken to keep the public from seeing Hogan’s state.

Hulk Hogan signing autographs after winning a court case. Stephen Yang

Hogan’s management also denied those claims, and insisted he’d been singing at karaoke just that night.

Those stories of frailty were a far cry from the man American saw just a year ago at the Republican National Convention in New York City, where Hogan roared out a rousing speech and tore his shirt off while endorsing Donald Trump for president.

Hulk Hogan poses for a photograph with fans on the beach of the Sands Pearl Hotel. Stephen Yang

But the rumors were also only the latest tales of trouble surrounding Hogan’s health over the years.

At the height of his wrestling popularity in the 1980s, Hogan became embroiled in a scandal over steroid use in the industry. Hogan initially denied allegations that he took the debilitating drugs, but later owned up to it.

Hulk Hogan in a headlock on Tony Atlas in a wrestling ring. Corbis via Getty Images

He also opened up about the toll his career took on his body.

“I’d had to endure 25 procedures, including ten to my back, facial operations from being kicked, knee and hip replacements and abdominal and shoulder surgeries,” Hogan told Muscle and Health in 2023.

The recoveries were so debilitating at times – particularly from the back operations – that Hogan eventually found himself “hitting the pain pills hard.”

“I had doctors writing me prescription after prescription, and all of a sudden, it became a vicious cycle,” Hogan said. “It got to a point where I’d recovered from the tenth back surgery, and the pharmacy would call me and say, ‘Your prescription’s ready,’ and like a dog chasing a bone, I’d go pick it up.”

Hogan also found himself struggling to control his drinking at times, too.

He eventually quit booze and pills altogether around 2023 — and was baptized with his wife in December of that year.