Wrestling Legend Hulk Hogan Dies at 71

Wrestling legend Hulk Hogan surprised many by revealing his Panamanian roots in his book “Hollywood Hulk Hogan.” His mother’s birthplace in the Panama Canal Zone holds special significance for him. Social media heated up Thursday morning over the death of world wrestling legend Hulk Hogan at the age of 71. The news was released by TMZ, an American website dedicated to celebrity news. According to reports from the United States, doctors went to the residence of the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) icon, located in Clearwater Florida early Thursday morning, where Hogan had apparently died due to “cardiac arrest.” Neighbors of the celebrity reported seeing police cars and paramedics parked outside Hogan’s home, and that he was carried on a stretcher to an ambulance.

A few days ago, the veteran athlete’s wife, Sky, denied rumors that he was in a coma after undergoing heart surgery. Terry Gene Bollea, his real name, was born in Augusta, Georgia, on August 11, 1953. He was an American professional wrestler, also commissioner of Real American Freestyle and signed with WWE as a brand ambassador. Hogan was known for his flamboyance, imposing physique, and signature blond horseshoe mustache and bandanas. He was considered the most recognizable wrestling star worldwide, the most popular of the 1980s, and one of the greatest of all time. He had admitted in interviews that he underwent at least 25 surgical treatments from 2014 to 2024.

“I’ve had 10 back surgeries. Also on both knees, hips and shoulders,” he commented on the podcast Impaulsive by fellow wrestler Logan Paul . He made his professional debut in Fort Myers, Florida, on August 10, 1977, competing against Brian Blair. On June 2, 1983, Hogan became the first winner of the “International Wrestling Grand Prix”, defeating Japanese wrestler Antonio Inoki by knockout in the finals of a tournament of 10 gladiators from around the world. He appeared in several films, including ‘ Rocky III’. In late 2024, he participated in the election campaign of current US President Donald Trump.

The Link that Few Knew Between Panama and Wrestler Hulk Hogan

Hulk Hogan with his parents Peter and Ruth pictured above. Although he was born in Augusta Georgia USA, Hulk has a special connection to Panama because of his mother, Ruth V. Moody. She was born in the Panama Canal Zone in January 1922, which was then under U.S. control. According to Hulk’s confession in his book “Hollywood Hulk Hogan,” the American star’s mother’s family worked on the construction of the Panama Canal, although she was of Anglo-Saxon origin. It was there that she met Peter Bollea, Hulk Hogan’s father. Hogan was born in Augusta, Georgia, on August 11, 1953, the son of construction foreman Pietro “Peter” Bollea (December 6, 1913 – December 18, 2001) and homemaker and dance teacher Ruth V. (née Moody; 1922 – January 1, 2011). The Hulk was of Italian, French, and Panamanian heritage. Hulk Hogan said on Twitter in January 2011 that his mother, Ruth Bollea, passed away. She was 88 years old. He wrote, “It’s been a tough day, my mom passed. She was my biggest fan, and I love her so much. Below, Hulk Hogan and his son Nick when Nick was a youngster. Below that is the Hulk, son Nick, daughter Brooke and wife Linda.