Hulk Hogan's cause of death revealed along with hidden health battle a week after WWE legend died at 71

CLEARWATER, FLORIDA: Hulk Hogan’s cause of death has been officially confirmed nearly a week after the wrestling icon died at the age of 71.

The WWE legend, whose real name was Terrence Gene Bollea, died on July 24 in Clearwater Beach, Florida.

Hulk Hogan had leukemia and heart issues before death

New medical examiner documents have now disclosed that Hulk Hogan died of acute myocardial infarction, commonly known as a heart attack.

According to the New York Post, Hogan had a history of leukemia and atrial fibrillation. The leukemia battle had not been publicly revealed before his death.

Atrial fibrillation is known to cause irregular heartbeats and can increase the risk of heart complications.

The Pinellas County Forensic Science Center listed Hogan’s manner of death as natural in a cremation summary approval report.

A spokesperson for the medical examiner’s office told the publication, “I am not aware when Mr Bollea will be cremated, only that we received a request for cremation approval.”

First responders attempted to revive Hulk Hogan for thirty minutes 

On the day of his death, police and medics responded to a call at Hulk Hogan’s Clearwater Beach residence at 9:51 am regarding a cardiac arrest.

First responders worked to revive him for 30 minutes before he was transported to a nearby hospital, where he was declared dead, according to dispatch audio.

WWE confirmed the wrestler’s death, stating, “WWE is saddened to learn WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan has passed away. One of pop culture’s most recognizable figures, Hogan helped WWE achieve global recognition in the 1980s. WWE extends its condolences to Hogan’s family, friends, and fans.”

Hulk Hogan's health had declined before death 

Just weeks before his death, fans had speculated about Hulk Hogan’s declining health, particularly after he underwent neck surgery in May, with insiders suggesting he was on a "death bed".

However, his wife, Sky Daily, attempted to set the record straight on July 12, writing via Instagram story, “No, he’s definitely not in a coma! His heart is strong, and there was never any lack of oxygen or brain damage. None of those rumors are true."

Daily added that Hogan had undergone a “major four-level Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion (ACDF), which is an intense surgery with a long and layered healing process,” and that he was “healing” as they took it “one day at a time with love, strength, and patience.”

Hogan’s longtime friend and manager, Jimmy Hart, also tried to calm fears in the days leading up to Hogan’s death. On June 22, he posted on X, “Hulk is doing great, doing phenomenal! Last night at karaoke with Nick [Hogan] was absolutely fantastic, baby!!!” as previously reported by MEAWW.

Hart then revealed the day after Hogan’s death that he was stunned by the news.

“I called [Hogan] on Wednesday night, and then Thursday morning is when everything took place,” Hart said. “So just…just overnight it all happened, but it was so positive the day before. It just hits so fast.”

Tributes pour in after Hulk Hogan's death

Following Hulk Hogan’s death, his family and fellow wrestling stars publicly shared their grief.

Sky Daily, 46, wrote on Instagram on July 25 that her “heart was in pieces” and called the loss “sudden and impossible to process.”

Wrestling legends, including John Cena and Ric Flair, paid tribute to the late icon. Flair, 76, expressed his shock on X, writing that he was “absolutely shocked” by the death of his “close friend.”

Brooke Hogan, who had been estranged from her father in recent years, shared her message on social media.

Despite their distance, she said their connection remained strong. “When he left this earth, it felt like part of my spirit left with him. I felt it before the news even reached us,” Brooke wrote on Instagram.

“I’m deeply grateful for the love, tributes, and memorials from his fans and friends. His life was one worth celebrating — and always will be.”