The cause of death of Terry Bollea—better known across the world as WWE legend and pro-wrestling icon, Hulk Hogan—has been revealed. The 71-year-old Hogan died on July 24 in Clearwater, Florida, leaving behind a complicated legacy marked by in-ring success and out-of-ring controversy.
One week after Hogan’s death, multiple outlets reported that he died from an acute myocardial infarction, commonly known as a heart attack. Reports also claimed that a dispatch call on the day of his death sent medics to Hogan’s Clearwater, Florida, home at 9:51 a.m., local time. Medics attempted to revive Hogan for 30 minutes before transporting him to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
What these records have also uncovered is that Hogan secretly battled leukemia before his death.
Hulk Hogan Battled Leukemia Before Death, Records Show
Page Six reportedly claims that the documents from the Pinellas County Forensic Science Center say Hogan had a history of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). The Mayo Clinic notes that CLL is when a growth of cancerous white blood cells (lymphocytes) forms in the bone marrow, blood, lymph nodes and spleen.
Per the Mayo Clinic:
“The term ‘chronic’ in chronic lymphocytic leukemia comes from the fact that this leukemia typically progresses more slowly than other types of leukemia. The term "lymphocytic" in chronic lymphocytic leukemia comes from the cells affected by the disease — a group of white blood cells called lymphocytes, which help your body fight infection.”
Eric Bischoff, Hogan’s longtime friend, former boss, and business associate, discussed Hogan’s declining health on the July 29 episode of his podcast, ’83 Weeks with Eric Bischoff.’ (h/t People)
“I could tell he was weak. He sounded tired,” said Bischoff, who also noted that Hogan’s son, Nick, encouraged Eric to call Hulk.
“[Hogan] said, '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,'" said Bischoff. Eric responded by saying, “‘When I look at you, I don't see the same thing you see when you look in the mirror, so f--- that, I'll be down Monday.’"
Bischoff’s final visit with his friend lasted an hour. "All he wanted to talk about was business, but in a fun, energetic way," said Bischoff, adding that Hogan was “struggling” for breath during the chat. “It was work for him to have a conversation, but he was the same guy.”
Bischoff hinted that Hogan knew his time was running out. Eric wanted to give Hogan something to look forward to and offered to set up “promotional interviews” for a time when Hulk was feeling better.
“He said, 'Brother, I can't wait. I may not be able to do anything on camera for a couple weeks, but I'll be good on the phone. You can set some stuff up for me,’” said Bischoff.
Hogan’s death prompted memorials, memories, and an examination of his impact in and outside the squared circle. Daily DDT’s Raphael Garcia remarked on how Hogan’s problematic history and documented racism shouldn’t be ignored, even when paying respect to the legend. WWE rookie Jamar Hampton spoke up among the tributes, asking, “Is this really who we should be celebrating?”