Hulk Hogan’s Health in Recent Years

Hulk Hogan‘s final years were marked by ongoing battles with health issues stemming from his legendary wrestling career. The 71-year-old icon, born Terry Gene Bollea, had been dealing with chronic pain and mobility problems that required numerous medical interventions over the past decade.

Hogan’s physical struggles became increasingly apparent to fans and colleagues as he dealt with the long-term effects of his time in professional wrestling. His body bore the cumulative damage from years of high-impact matches, training, and the physical demands of maintaining his larger-than-life persona.

The wrestling superstar had been open about his health challenges in recent interviews, discussing the extent of his medical procedures in detail. After stepping away from the ring, he underwent multiple operations to address these issues, and he openly discussed how they impacted his daily life following his 2013 retirement from wrestling, despite recently signing a five-year deal with the WWE.

Multiple Surgeries and Procedures

Hogan underwent extensive medical treatment to address his various injuries and chronic conditions. He revealed the scope of his medical interventions during a September 2024 appearance on Logan Paul’s Impaulsive podcast.

“I’ve had, like, 25 surgeries in the last 10 years. Ten of them were back surgeries,” Hogan disclosed during the interview. “Nobody told me this gimmick stuff was fake. I’ve had 10 back surgeries, both knees and both hips replaced, shoulders — everything.”

The wrestler’s back required the most medical attention due to the nature of his career. He explained how the wrestling equipment and ring conditions during his early career contributed to his long-term injuries.

“The equipment back in the day when I started wrestling in ’77 was a little different than the rings and stuff you guys are working in now,” Hogan told Paul. “André (The Giant) used to tell me, ‘Boss, don’t fall down. You won’t get back up.’ It was like a 22-foot boxing ring that had lumps in it, boards sticking up — it was horrible.”

As recently as May 2025, Hogan underwent neck surgery to address ongoing issues. A representative confirmed to TMZ that the wrestler had undergone a “little fusion procedure” to help him “feel a little better,” with a quick recovery time that allowed him to return to work the following day.

Recent Health Concerns

In the months leading up to his passing, rumors circulated about Hogan’s health status. Radio host Bubba the Love Sponge sparked speculation in June 2025 when he suggested on his show that Hogan was experiencing serious health problems.

“Allegedly, Hogan is in the hospital, and I’ve heard people say that he might not make it,” the radio host said, according to reports. “I think it’s a heart issue. I’ve been told that he publicly talked about a neck fusion surgery.”

However, Hogan’s representatives denied these claims at the time. His team issued a statement to E! News, stating that there were “no reasons to panic” in response to speculation about his condition.

Fellow wrestler Kurt Angle had previously shared concerns about Hogan’s physical condition during an episode of his show in 2023. “So [he] uses his cane to walk around,” Angle said, per The U.S. Sun. “I thought he was using the cane because he had pain in his back. He doesn’t have any pain. He has nothing at all. He can’t feel anything.”

These claims were later disputed by Angle’s representative, who told Entertainment Tonight that “everything is OK with” Hogan. Despite the denials, concerns about Hogan’s health persisted.

The physical toll of his career extended beyond just surgical interventions. The injuries and subsequent procedures left Hogan struggling with mobility at times. He acknowledged these challenges during his appearance on Paul’s podcast.

The various reports and statements highlighted the ongoing nature of Hogan’s health challenges in his later years. Throughout these difficulties, Hogan continued to be active in public appearances and wrestling-related events.