Hulk Hogan's Heartbreaking Final Days: WWE Legend Underwent Major Neck Surgery and Suffered Through Painful Family Rift Before His Death At 71

Hulk Hogan's final days were marked by excruciating pain and family heartbreak amid trying to shoot down rumors that he was on his "deathbed," RadarOnline.com can reveal.

The legendary former WWE star died at a hospital after paramedics were called to his home in Clearwater, Florida, about a cardiac arrest on Thursday, July 24, the Clearwater Police Department told RadarOnline.com

He was "treated by Clearwater Fire and Rescue crews before being taken by Sunstar to Morton Plant Hospital, where he was pronounced deceased."

In June, Hogan told fans, "I might be beat up, but I ain't done yet," after a source claimed his deathbed denial was "all a front... he's on his last legs."

Hogan – real name Terry Bollea – sparked major concerns for his health in May after an appearance on Fox & Friends to promote his new venture, Real American Freestyle Wrestling (RAF). His eyes appeared sunken as he debuted a white mustache and black beard.

The makeover couldn't hide this pain, as Hogan was days away from undergoing yet another neck surgery, this time to get a fusion procedure. His rep said afterward that Hogan had a “quick turnaround” and that he had the surgery was to make him “feel a little better.”

Hogan's 36-year professional wrestling career ended in 2014, and in the years since, he had undergone so many procedures to deal with the chronic injuries to his neck and back that he suffered while entertaining audiences worldwide.

The former athlete said he had at least 25 operations since 2014, making the revelation during a 2024 appearance on Logan Paul's Impaulsive podcast in October 2024.

“I’ve had 10 back surgeries, both knees and both hips replaced, shoulders — everything,” Hogan confessed. The back surgeries, in particular, left him with mobility challenges.

In a 2023 essay, Hogan revealed he had stopped taking pain medication after years of use to cope with the agony the surgeries and life in the ring wrought on his body.

“I just got so sick of the brain fog, the trouble sleeping, feeling tired all the time," he said about his decision to quit trying to medicate away his constant pain.

Hogan's former friend, radio host Bubba the Love Sponge, claimed in mid-June that the Suburban Commando star had been hospitalized with heart failure and was "on his deathbed."

"If you did some sniffing around, you might find him in a hospital near you. And it's not good," he claimed.

Bubba – real name Todd Clem – said his information was "pretty damn reliable" and that Hogan's family had been called to his bedside to say their goodbyes.

"Allegedly, Hogan is in the hospital and I've heard people say he might not make it," he claimed, adding: "He's not doing well. He's not in good shape. I think it's a heart issue."

Hogan died amid a family feud, as his daughter Brooke Hogan was no longer speaking to him or his ex-wife, Linda Hogan.

I'm okay with most things, but today, something hit. It's been 15 or longer years since I left Hulk Hogan, and my family is in the worst mess," Linda, 65, said in a March social media video.

"Brooke doesn't talk to us. She's had twins. She got married, she didn't tell us ... She had a huge fight with Terry. I don't know how that reflected onto me, but she cut me out too."

Linda went on to accuse her ex of not trying harder to repair his family.

"He marches on, like, 'Oh, I'm promoting my own beer, real American beer. Yeah, look at me.' He's such a hero, right? Not. I've given him more opportunities to come back and make up for the family. It's been 20 years, and I'm still this sad. Somebody please explain that."

Brooke, 34, fired back: "I have completely separate reasons for going no contact with each of my parents. This decision was made based purely on how they have each dealt with me directly my entire life."