Hulk Hogan, born Terry Gene Bollea on August 11, 1953, in Augusta, Georgia, was a legendary American professional wrestler, actor, and television personality. He became one of the biggest stars in wrestling history during the 1980s, helping turn the WWF (now WWE) into a global entertainment powerhouse. Known for his larger-than-life personality, iconic look, and signature leg drop, Hogan also built a successful career in movies, television, and business.
Hulk Hogan passed away on July 24, 2025, at the age of 71, reportedly due to cardiac arrest. At the time of his death, Hulk Hogan net worth was around $25 million, earned through decades of wrestling success, acting roles, endorsements, merchandise sales, and media appearances. His influence on professional wrestling and pop culture remains unmatched.
Hulk Hogan’s Biography
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Real Name | Terry Gene Bollea |
| Ring Name | Hulk Hogan |
| Born | August 11, 1953, Augusta, Georgia, USA |
| Died | July 24, 2025 (Age 71) |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Wrestler, Actor, TV Personality |
| Wrestling Debut | 1977 |
| Famous For | Global wrestling superstar |
| Age at Death | 71 |
| Net Worth (2025) | $25 million |
| Children | Brooke Hogan, Nick Hogan |
Hulk Hogan Net Worth
Hulk Hogan was an iconic American wrestler, actor, and reality television star, Hulk Hogan net worth of around $25 million at the time of his death in July 2025. His wealth included earnings from his legal case against Gawker Media, which resulted in a final settlement of $31 million before taxes, despite an initial jury award of $140 million. His finances were also heavily affected by his divorce from his first wife, Linda Hogan, which cost him tens of millions of dollars.
Although probate records filed after his passing listed only about $5 million in assets, this figure did not reflect his full estate, as much of his wealth such as Clearwater Beach real estate valued at approximately $11 million was held in trusts and business entities. Hogan rose to global fame in the 1980s during the peak of the WWF (now WWE), where his powerful physique, colorful ring gear, and unforgettable catchphrases helped turn professional wrestling into mainstream entertainment.
His breakthrough came in 1984 when he won the WWF Championship, launching the wildly popular “Rock ’n’ Wrestling” era and legendary rivalries with stars like André the Giant and Randy Savage. In the 1990s, he reinvented himself in WCW as the leader of the New World Order (nWo), a move that revived his career and reshaped wrestling history. Beyond the ring, Hogan appeared in films such as No Holds Barred and found renewed fame on television with Hogan Knows Best, cementing his legacy as one of the most influential figures in sports entertainment.
Gawker Lawsuit
In 2012, Hulk Hogan became involved in a major privacy controversy after a private encounter recorded without his knowledge was obtained by the media website Gawker. The footage had been secretly filmed using a hidden camera and later edited into a short clip that Gawker chose to publish on its website. Hogan immediately requested that the video be taken down, but when the site refused, he took legal action, arguing that the release of the footage violated his personal privacy and caused severe emotional distress.
Hogan initially sought $100 million in damages. In March 2016, a Florida jury ruled in his favor, awarding him $115 million, which was later increased to a total of $140 million. Gawker’s appeal failed, and the company was pushed into bankruptcy. The court also ruled that Gawker founder Nick Denton and the editor involved were personally responsible for a large portion of the judgment. Although Gawker argued the footage was newsworthy because Hogan was a public figure, the jury rejected that claim. The case ultimately settled in November 2016 for $31 million.
It later emerged that billionaire investor Peter Thiel had quietly provided financial backing for Hogan’s lawsuit. Thiel had long criticized Gawker for publishing articles about his private life and believed the site engaged in harmful media practices. He stated that his involvement was meant to discourage similar behavior in the future rather than seek personal revenge.
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Early Life
Hulk Hogan was born Terry Gene Bollea on August 11, 1953, in Augusta, Georgia. His family moved to Tampa, Florida, while he was still an infant, and the city remained his home throughout his life.
As a child, Hogan showed promise as a baseball player and even attracted attention from scouts, but an injury ended his potential career in the sport. At age 16, he discovered professional wrestling, setting him on a path that would eventually change the industry forever.
Wrestling Career
Hogan began his wrestling journey in 1977 with Championship Wrestling from Florida, initially competing under the masked name The Super Destroyer. His impressive size and natural charisma quickly stood out. After being compared to actor Lou Ferrigno who played The Incredible Hulk he adopted the name Hulk Hogan in 1979 while working with the World Wrestling Federation (WWF).
His early WWF run ended temporarily after he accepted a role in Rocky III without company approval. However, the film boosted his popularity, and he returned in 1983 under Vince McMahon Jr., who positioned Hogan as the face of wrestling’s national expansion. Hogan’s fame exploded during the mid-1980s with the rise of Hulkamania. He won his first WWF Championship in 1984 and went on to headline the first nine WrestleMania events, facing legends such as André the Giant, Randy Savage, and The Ultimate Warrior.
In the mid-1990s, Hogan reinvented himself in WCW by turning villain and forming the New World Order (nWo), a move that reignited his career and helped WCW dominate television ratings. After WCW folded, Hogan returned to WWE in 2002, notably facing The Rock at WrestleMania X8. He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005, reinstated in 2018 after controversy, and made his final notable appearance in 2023 during WWE’s 30th anniversary of Raw.
Acting and Television
Hogan successfully transitioned into acting alongside wrestling. His role as Thunderlips in Rocky III introduced him to mainstream audiences. He later starred in family-friendly action films such as No Holds Barred, Suburban Commando, and Mr. Nanny.
From 1993 to 1995, he led the television series Thunder in Paradise. In the 2000s, Hogan gained renewed popularity through VH1’s reality show Hogan Knows Best, which showcased his family life and attracted a new generation of fans.
Business Ventures and Endorsements
A skilled marketer, Hogan built multiple businesses over the years, including restaurants, energy drinks, and frozen food brands. He opened Pastamania in 1995, followed by ventures such as Hogan Energy, Hulkster Burgers, and beachfront restaurants in Florida.
Hogan also became one of the most merchandised wrestlers ever, with more than 170 different action figures produced throughout his career. One of his most famous financial regrets was passing on the opportunity to endorse what became the George Foreman Grill, a decision he later said cost him a massive fortune.
Personal Life and Divorce
Hogan married Linda Claridge in 1983, and they had two children, Brooke and Nick. Their divorce in 2007 proved financially devastating. Linda received the majority of their liquid assets, millions in cash, luxury vehicles, and a significant share of Hogan’s business interests. Hogan later admitted the settlement nearly bankrupted him. He remarried in 2010, divorced in 2022, and married his third wife, Sky Daily, in 2023.
Real Estate
In 1992, Hogan purchased waterfront property in Belleair, Florida, and built a massive mansion that later appeared on Hogan Knows Best. Originally listed for $26 million, the home sold in 2012 for $6.2 million after the housing market crash. Hogan later purchased multiple properties in Clearwater, Florida, continuing to invest heavily in real estate.
Death
Hulk Hogan passed away on July 24, 2025, at the age of 71. Reports stated that the cause of death was cardiac arrest. His passing marked the end of an era for professional wrestling and sports entertainment. Fans around the world mourned the loss of one of wrestling’s greatest icons.
How Hulk Hogan lose so much money?
Hulk Hogan lost a significant portion of his wealth due to a combination of legal battles and personal expenses. Even before his divorce from Linda, he reportedly spent around $38,000 on legal fees, which included representation for his family. His son, Nick Hogan, was involved in a serious car accident while drag racing at age 17, leaving a passenger paralyzed.
Hulk also had to manage the resulting civil lawsuit settlement with the victim’s family, along with additional legal issues from Nick’s later traffic violations, including a DUI in 2024. These family-related legal costs added substantially to his financial strain.
On top of legal expenses, Hogan’s divorce revealed his and his family’s extravagant lifestyle. His ex-wife, Linda, reportedly spent thousands monthly on clothing, jewelry, and household help, while Hogan himself faced mounting medical bills, having undergone 25 surgeries over the previous decade as of 2024. Between costly medical care, ongoing legal fees, and lavish spending, it’s easy to see how much of Hogan’s fortune was depleted over time.
FAQ’s
What was Hulk Hogan’s real name?
Hulk Hogan was born Terry Gene Bollea on August 11, 1953, in Augusta, Georgia. He adopted the ring name “Hulk Hogan” in 1979 while working with the WWF.
How much was Hulk Hogan worth when he died?
At the time of his death in July 2025, Hulk Hogan net worth was around $25 million, which included earnings from wrestling, acting, merchandise, endorsements, and a legal settlement with Gawker Media.
Why did Hulk Hogan sue Gawker?
In 2012, Hogan filed a lawsuit against Gawker after a private video of him was published without his consent. He claimed the release violated his privacy and caused emotional distress. The case was eventually settled in 2016 for $31 million.
What were some of Hulk Hogan’s biggest accomplishments in wrestling?
Hogan was a global wrestling superstar who headlined the first nine WrestleMania events, won multiple WWF Championships, and helped popularize the “Hulkamania” era. He also led the New World Order (nWo) in WCW during the 1990s, revitalizing his career.
Did Hulk Hogan have children?
Yes, Hulk Hogan had two children with his first wife, Linda: a daughter, Brooke Hogan, and a son, Nick Hogan.
Conclusion
Hulk Hogan, a legendary professional wrestler, actor, and television personality, left an unforgettable mark on entertainment and sports. Famous for his wrestling career, headlining multiple WrestleManias, and leading the New World Order (nWo), he became a global icon known for his charisma and signature moves.
At the time of his death, Hulk Hogan net worth was estimated at around $25 million, earned through wrestling, acting, endorsements, and business ventures. Despite financial setbacks and personal challenges, Hogan’s legacy as one of the most influential figures in wrestling and pop culture continues to inspire fans worldwide.
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