WWE legend Hulk Hogan, who died aged 71 on Thursday, was baptised months before his death in a ceremony that he said was the ‘greatest day of my life’. Tributes have poured in
The final few years of Hulk Hogan’s life was dominated by one thing – but it wasn’t wrestling. The WWE legend, whose real name was Terry Bollea, passed away at 71 on Thursday, and was known for telling children to “take their vitamins and say their prayers” during the 1980s career boom as part of the-then WWF.
From using his “24 inch pythons” to take down greats like Andre the Giant and the Macho Man Randy Savage, before moving to arch enemy WCW in the early 1990s, he transcended the sport of professional wrestling to make it a household name worldwide.
However, outside of the ring there was something else that dominated his life – especially in his final years, before pain and the WWE fanbase turning against him dominated the final months.
Final years
Hogan had recently got baptised alongside his third wife, yoga instructor Sky Daily, 45. The intimate ceremony took place at Indian Rocks Baptist Church in Largo, Florida, just a few months after they tied the knot in September 2023.
Their wedding, also held at the same church, was a celebration of their love, surrounded by close family and friends, after being engaged for a year since July 2023. The 25-year age gap between Hogan and Sky seemed insignificant as they stood together, hand in hand.
During the baptism, Hulk wore his iconic bandana and a white T-shirt, while Sky donned a white robe, standing together in the baptismal pool.
Hulk took to social media to share photos and videos of this profound experience, expressing his feelings: “No worries, no hate, no judgment… only love!”.
He further added: “Total surrender and dedication to Jesus is the greatest day of my life.” This ceremony marked a significant reaffirmation of Hogan’s Christian faith, which he initially adopted at 14.
He attributed his enduring career to his faith, coupled with “training, prayers and vitamins”. The baptism, as described by Sports Spectrum, was “a public profession of Christ”, captured in a heartwarming video of Hogan smiling as he emerged from the water.
His revitalised faith was also reflected in his social media posts earlier this year, where he celebrated Christianity, spreading love and redemption messages. Hogan’s death occurred after he suffered a cardiac arrest at his home in Clearwater, Florida.
Although he recently discussed his recovery from spinal surgery with Sky Daily, the cause of his death remains unconfirmed.
Final months
His final months were spent promoting his Real American Beer brand, being booed by wrestling fans and seemingly hiding the true level of pain he was in. His final WWE appearance in front of a live crowd came on the debut of Monday Night Raw on Netflix in January where he was booed out of the building for his controversial support of Donald Trump, and seemingly looking shocked by the occurrence.
Just a week before he died, his ex-manager and long-time pal Jimmy Hart reportedly said the WWE Hall of Famer was unable to talk. On an episode of Bubba The Love Sponge’s podcast on YouTube, co-host Lummy claimed he was told by Hart that: “Hogan’s not doing well. He he can’t speak. His trachea or whatever was damaged and he’s having problems and it does not look good. It does not look at all.”
Bubba, who was once sued by Hogan for leaking a sex tape of his wife and the wrestler, told the channel he had heard from a hospital security guard: “He was transported to his house but he’s still in his hospital bed. It’s just like he’s at the hospital.
“They’ve gone as far as they can go at the hospital now. They just they’re keeping him comfortable at his house in a hospital bed.”
Bubba’s claims were ridiculed by fans and other close friends of Hogan’s at the time, however it now appears that there was a grain of truth to them.
Final hours
Medics rushed to his house as they tried to save the wrestling star in the early hours of Thursday morning. Operators of the 911 call could be heard dispatching paramedics to the scene as they noted the matter was for a cardiac arrest.
Officials responded to the call at 9:51am, as Hulk received treatment from Clearwater Fire and Rescue before being taken to a nearby hospital. He died at the hospital, according to reports.
A “slew of police cars and EMTs were parked outside Hogan’s home,” before he was taken out on a stretcher, according to TMZ.
Hulk’s death was confirmed by World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), in a statement on X which read: “WWE is saddened to learn WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan has passed away.
“One of pop culture’s most recognisable figures, Hogan helped WWE achieve global recognition in the 1980s. WWE extends its condolences to Hogan’s family, friends, and fans.”
While his legacy from the 1980s and 1990s is something truely iconic, his pain-filled controversy-laiden latter half of his life tended to tarnish Hulkamania . . . but he still ran wild whichever way you look at it.
For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
