The world of professional wrestling was hit hard when news broke that Hulk Hogan—one of the sport’s most legendary figures—had passed away.
While fans had hoped for more time with the 71-year-old icon, new details have emerged that paint a clearer picture of what happened in his final days.
The Official Cause: A Sudden and Devastating Heart Attack
On Thursday, authorities confirmed that Hogan died from acute myocardial infarction, the medical term for a heart attack.
It occurs when blood flow to part of the heart gets suddenly blocked, depriving the heart muscle of oxygen.
The report was made public through documents obtained by Page Six.
According to those documents, Hogan also had a history of atrial fibrillation (AFib)—a condition that causes an irregular and often rapid heartbeat.
This type of heart problem can increase the risk of stroke and other heart-related complications.
In addition to heart issues, Hogan was reportedly living with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), a cancer that affects a type of white blood cell.
Final Days in Florida and Official Ruling
Hogan passed away on July 24 in Florida.
The medical examiner listed the manner of death as natural, meaning it wasn’t caused by an accident or external event.
The Pinellas County Forensic Science Center recorded these details in a cremation summary approval report, which was part of the latest documentation update.
A spokesperson for the medical examiner’s office told Page Six, “I am not aware when Mr. Bollea will be cremated, only that we received a request for cremation approval.”
As of now, no timeline for the cremation has been publicly shared.
A Friend Remembers a Fading Light
One of Hogan’s closest friends, Eric Bischoff, recently opened up about his final interaction with the wrestling legend on his podcast 83 Weeks.
Bischoff recounted how Hogan seemed drained and vulnerable during their last conversation.
“He sounded tired,” Eric said. “He told me, ‘I really want to see you, but I’m kind of embarrassed for you to see me this way because I’ve been pretty sick.’”
Despite his condition, Hogan still made plans to see his friend, showing his trademark determination and grit.
Eric added, “It was work for him to have a conversation, but he was still the same guy inside.”
Daughter Brooke Shares an Emotional Tribute
Hogan’s daughter, Brooke Hogan, also shared a deeply personal message following his passing.
In a heartfelt Instagram post, she said, “When he left this earth, it felt like part of my spirit left with him. I felt it before the news even reached us.”
She reflected on how her father often talked about death with a sense of awe—almost like it was his final championship moment.
“He used to speak about this moment with such wonder and hope.
Like meeting God was the greatest championship he’d ever have,” she wrote.
Setting the Record Straight on Their Estranged Relationship
Brooke also took the opportunity to address public speculation about her sometimes complicated relationship with her father.
She explained that while their bond had ups and downs, they shared many private conversations during the last chapter of his life—talks that the public never saw.
“He confided in me about things that weighed on his heart—both personal and business-related,” she shared.
“I offered to be there in whatever way he needed.”
A Daughter’s Efforts to Be Close
In fact, Brooke and her husband, Steven Olesky, moved closer to Hogan as his health deteriorated.
She described the emotional toll of watching her father slowly pull away, even after the two had supported each other through more than 25 surgeries.
“Then all of a sudden, he didn’t want me at surgeries anymore,” she said.
“It felt like there was a thick veil I couldn’t get through… like a force field surrounded him.”
A Final Farewell to a Wrestling Legend
Though his health battles were deeply private, it’s clear that Hogan remained fiercely loved by those closest to him.
His personality, his fighting spirit, and his larger-than-life presence never truly left—even in his final moments.
As fans around the world continue to mourn, Hogan’s family and friends are remembering him not just as a wrestling hero, but as a father, a friend, and a man who kept fighting until the very end.