Hulk Hogan, the most recognizable name in professional wrestling, has died at the age of 71. Medics rushed to his Clearwater, Florida, home on Thursday, 24th July 2025, morning, following a cardiac arrest. Despite emergency treatment, he was pronounced dead at the hospital. His wife Sky, had recently dismissed rumors of declining health, claiming his heart was strong—but the end came just weeks later.
From ushering in the era of Hulkamania in the ’80s to reinventing himself as Hollywood Hogan with the NWO, he redefined wrestling as family entertainment and built a pop culture empire. Whether clashing with Andre the Giant or starring in Rocky III and Hogan Knows Best, Hulk Hogan was more than a wrestler—he was a global icon.
He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame twice, starred in movies, led a reality show, and left behind a legacy few could match. Throughout his lifetime, Hogan was married three times. Up next, we take a closer look at his first wife—her role during his rise to fame, the end of their marriage, and what followed.
Who Was Hulk Hogan’s First Wife?
Hulk Hogan married Linda Claridge on December 18, 1983, just as his wrestling stardom was about to hit its peak. The couple welcomed two children during their marriage—daughter Brooke in 1988 and son Nick in 1990. Their family life later became national fodder thanks to the VH1 reality show Hogan Knows Best, which spotlighted the dynamics between Hulk, Linda, and their kids.
But the marriage began unraveling when rumors of infidelity surfaced. In 2007, Christiane Plante—who had worked with Brooke on her album—claimed she had an affair with Hulk. That same year, Linda filed for divorce. Hogan denied ever cheating but did admit that Linda often suspected him of growing too close to other women.
By 2009, the divorce was finalized, with Hulk walking away with only about 30% of their $10 million liquid assets. The breakup pushed him to the brink—he later confessed he contemplated suicide but was pulled back from the edge by American Gladiators co-star Laila Ali.
Their split played out very publicly, adding further strain to an already tense situation. Linda cited betrayal as the reason behind the divorce, while Hulk maintained his innocence. Meanwhile, the show that once showcased their happy family became a bittersweet time capsule of what once was. Despite their rocky end, their decades-long marriage remained one of the most talked-about unions in wrestling history.
Who Is Linda Claridge?
Linda Claridge, born August 24, 1959, is a TV personality who rose to fame through her high-profile marriage and the family reality series Hogan Knows Best.
She grew up Catholic, with British and Irish ancestry, and is the older sister of actress Christie Claridge. A former Match Game contestant, Linda went on to sing backup vocals on Hulk’s 1995 album Hulk Rules, and even wrote a memoir in 2011 titled Wrestling the Hulk.
After her divorce, she made headlines again for dating a much younger man, Charlie Hill, who was just 19 when their relationship began in 2008.
