Hulk Hogan, whose real name is Terry Gene Bollea, is an iconic American retired professional wrestler known for his larger-than-life persona and significant contributions to the world of sports-entertainment.
He gained worldwide recognition in the 1980s, becoming one of the most popular wrestlers of that era.
Hogan’s career highlights include headlining multiple WrestleMania events, winning numerous WWE Championships and being a key figure in the rise of WWE to a global entertainment leader.
He also had a successful acting career, appearing in films and television shows.
Hogan’s impact on professional wrestling history is immense, with his matches and rivalries becoming defining moments in WWE’s legacy.
Additionally, his villainous turn as Hollywood Hulk Hogan in WCW and leadership of the New World Order (nWo) further solidified his status as a wrestling legend.
| Net worth | $25 million |
| Profession | Former professional wrestler, actor |
| Date of birth | August 11, 1953 |
| Nationality | American |
Background and early life
Hogan was born on August 11, 1953, in Augusta, Georgia.
His parents are Peter Bollea (also known as Pete) and Ruth Bollea.
Peter worked as a construction foreman, while Ruth Bollea was a homemaker.
Hogan has Italian ancestry from his father’s side and has described his family as having a “strong Italian heritage”.
Hogan’s parents played a significant role in his early wrestling career.
In a 1994 interview, Hogan mentioned that his father was supportive of his wrestling aspirations but initially had reservations about the profession.
However, after witnessing Hogan’s success and the positive impact he had on his fans, Peter became proud of his son’s accomplishments.
Ruth, on the other hand, was more cautious about her son’s career choice and hoped he would pursue a more traditional path, such as finance or management.
Despite their initial concerns, Hogan’s parents eventually came to appreciate his wrestling career and were proud of his achievements.
Net worth
Hogan has an estimated net worth of $25 million.
He earned his wealth primarily through his successful wrestling career, acting and various business ventures.
During the height of his wrestling career, Hogan made around $10 million per year, and at one point, he was the highest-earning WCW star, earning $13.17 million between 1996 and 2000.
In 2016, he won a $115 million lawsuit against Gawker, which was later settled for $31 million.
Hogan has also endorsed various products, including the George Foreman Grill, Hogan Energy drink and ViSalus Sciences, a multi-level marketing company.
WWE salary and contracts
Hogan’s WWE salary and contracts have been significant over the years.
In 1998, he signed a four-year contract with WCW, which included a $2 million signing bonus, a minimum of $675,000 per pay-per-view appearance and 25% of gross ticket sales for each Nitro or Thunder appearance.
Additionally, Hogan made $20,000 per month for any period he was in the NWO and wore non-Hogan NWO merchandise or participated in anything NWO-related.
He also received 100% of the net revenue if WCW started a Hulk Hogan 900 hotline.
This contract was one of the most significant in pro wrestling history, with Hogan earning a substantial amount of money from his appearances and merchandise sales.
Hogan’s contract also included a clause that gave him approval over the outcome of all wrestling matches in which he appeared.
This clause allowed him to have control over his storylines and character development, which was a significant factor in his success in the wrestling industry.
In addition to his WCW contract, Hogan also made millions with WWE, earning a base salary of $1.8 million in 2006, with added benefits of first-class flight tickets, hotel accommodations and ground transportation paid for every week.
His success in the wrestling industry has allowed him to earn a significant amount of money throughout his career, making him one of the most successful wrestlers in history.
Endorsement deals
Hogan has endorsed various brands, including 1-800 LoanMart, Carma HoldCo and Honey Nut Cheerios.
He earns $2.5 million per year from WWE under a Legends contract.
Hogan’s endorsement deals have included computer video games, films, products and businesses, as well as organizations like Rent-A-Center, Ultimate Grill and Hogan’s Nutrition.
He has also endorsed restaurants like Pasta-mania and more.
In the past, Hogan owned a 17,000-square-foot, $6.2 million home in Florida, which he sold in 2012.
His divorce settlement with his ex-wife Linda required him to pay her $3 million in cash, give her 40% ownership in his companies, and provide her with a property settlement of $7.44 million from their joint investment accounts.
Hogan has also endorsed the George Foreman Grill, which has earned him over $200 million, significantly more than he ever earned as a boxer.
However, he missed out on the opportunity to endorse the grill, as he was not available when his agent called about the offer.
Instead, Hogan ended up with the Thunder Mixer, while George Foreman profited from the Foreman Grill.
Real estate
Hogan has owned several impressive real estate properties and houses over the years.
One notable property is a $3.3 million house in Clearwater, Florida, which he purchased in 2012 with his then-wife Linda Hogan.
The mansion spans 5,000 square feet and features five bedrooms, seven bathrooms, an elevator and a pool.
Hogan also owns a $1.6 million bungalow in Florida, located next to his Clearwater mansion, with four bedrooms, two bathrooms and panoramic deck views of the beach.
In the past, he owned a 17,000-square-foot, $6.2 million home in Florida, which he sold in 2012.
These properties reflect Hogan’s success in the wrestling industry and his ability to invest in high-end real estate.
Wrestling career
Hogan is a legendary figure in the world of professional wrestling, known for his larger-than-life persona and significant impact on the industry.
His wrestling career began in the late 1970s with the American Wrestling Association (AWA), where he won multiple championships before signing with the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) in 1983.
This marked the start of his iconic journey to becoming one of the most celebrated stars in WWE history.
Throughout his career, Hogan achieved immense success, winning a total of six WWE Championships and making history by headlining multiple WrestleMania events.
One of his most famous matches was against Andre the Giant at WrestleMania III in 1987, where he bodyslammed and defeated the giant in front of 90,000 fans, solidifying his status as a wrestling icon.
Hogan’s influence extended beyond the ring, as he starred in movies, television shows, and even had his own animated series, broadening his reach to a wider audience.
His career took a turn when he joined World Championship Wrestling (WCW) in the mid-90s and became the villainous leader of the New World Order (nWo), revitalizing his character and taking WCW to new heights in the sports-entertainment world.
Despite his ventures outside wrestling, Hogan’s return to WWE in 2002 reaffirmed his legacy, leading to his induction into the WWE Hall of Fame and proving his enduring impact on the industry.
Throughout his career, his wrestling journey has been marked by iconic matches, memorable moments, and a lasting legacy that continues to inspire fans worldwide.
Hulk Hogan acting career
Hogan’s acting career began with a cameo role in Rocky III in 1982.
He later starred in several films, including No Holds Barred, Suburban Commando, Mr. Nanny, Thunder in Paradise, The Secret Agent Club and Santa With Muscles.
Hogan’s movie career was marked by roles that either revolved around his physicality or filled typical brawny stereotypes.
Despite his popularity as a wrestler, his acting career did not achieve the same level of success.
Critics argue that his acting style, which relied on outsized physicality and mannerisms, struggled to translate effectively to film.
Hogan’s only standout performance was in Gremlins 2: The New Batch, where he played himself in a brief, loud cameo.
Philanthropic efforts
Hogan has been actively involved in various philanthropic efforts, supporting causes that range from healthcare to children’s welfare.
Some of the charities and foundations that Hogan has supported include 50 Legs, the American Diabetes Association, Dreamseekers Foundation, Make-A-Wish and the Muscular Dystrophy Association.
Hogan’s philanthropic endeavors have been diverse and impactful.
He has auctioned off his custom Hulkamania-themed convertible to raise funds for the 50 Legs charity foundation, which assists amputees in affording prosthetics.
Additionally, Hogan has participated in events like the Jerry Lewis’ annual Labor Day telethon to support the Muscular Dystrophy Association and has been involved in initiatives like the “Stand Up With The Hulk” campaign to combat animal fighting and promote animal welfare.
Furthermore, he has shown support for cancer research and awareness by participating in events like “Hope For a Single Mom: Body Slammin’ Breast Cancer II” and making appearances dressed in pink for breast cancer awareness on Monday Night RAW.
Personal life
Hogan has been married three times. His first marriage was to Linda Claridge, with whom he had two children, Brooke and Nick.
Hogan and Linda starred in the reality TV show, Hogan Knows Best, together.
However, their marriage ended in divorce in 2009 after Linda filed for divorce in 2007 due to Hogan’s affair with Christiane Plante, a former makeup artist.
Hogan’s second marriage was to Jennifer McDaniel, a former makeup artist he met in 2008. They married in 2010 but divorced in 2022.
His third marriage is to Sky Daily, a yoga instructor who is 25 years younger than him.
They started dating in 2021 and married in September 2023, just two months after announcing their engagement.
Hogan and Daily have children from past relationships, and Hogan gets along well with Daily’s children.
They met on a night out, and Hogan proposed to Daily in a Tampa, Florida, restaurant in July 2023.
Daily’s Instagram is private, but her bio previously stated that she worked in the fitness industry and helped small businesses.
She has three children of her own, and Hogan’s daughter, Brooke, chose not to attend their wedding.
Hogan and Daily got baptized together before their wedding.
Divorce settlement
Hogan’s divorce settlement with Linda was a significant event that involved the division of their assets and finances.
Linda received more than 70% of the couple’s liquid assets, a 40% ownership stake in Hulk’s companies, a $3 million property settlement and $7.44 million from their joint investment accounts.
In contrast, Hogan was left with only $2.97 million from the remaining investment accounts and had to sell many of his homes to pay the $1.45 million he owed to Linda.
Additionally, he lost the majority of his cars, including a Mercedes-Benz, a Corvette, a Cadillac Escalade, and a Rolls-Royce.
Despite these losses, Hogan did not have to pay alimony and was allowed to keep any money he earned from personal appearances.
The divorce settlement highlighted the financial impact of the divorce on Hogan, emphasizing the importance of prenuptial agreements to ensure a fair and balanced division of assets in such situations.
Gawker lawsuit
Hogan sued Gawker Media for $100 million for invasion of privacy after it published a sex tape of him and his friend’s wife in 2012.
The lawsuit was financially backed by Peter Thiel, a Silicon Valley entrepreneur who had been outed as gay by Gawker in 2007.
In 2016, a jury awarded Hogan a $140 million judgement, which was later settled for $31 million.
Gawker initially vowed to appeal the award but ultimately filed for bankruptcy in June 2016 and was sold to Univision two months later for $135 million.
The lawsuit and its aftermath have been described as a conspiracy and have raised questions about the role of wealthy individuals in shaping media coverage and the implications for free speech.
