Terry Bollea, the ­Florida wrestler who shot to ­superstardom as Hulk ­Hogan and whose ­tabloid-centric private life became a legal battleground over the First Amendment, died of a cardiac arrest last week at the age of 71.

Hulk Hogan was as popular as any American figure when he rose to prominence in World Wrestling Entertainment in the 1980s. Wrestling journalist Dave Meltzer told "Elizabeth Vargas Reports" at the time he was just a "giant" in the American way of life,

There is no WWE if Vince McMahon doesn’t pluck Hulk Hogan from the Midwest to make him the centerpiece of his national expansion in 1983.

Hogan - the iconic face of professional wrestling in the 1980s - is said to have died at his home in Florida. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.

Join 18 Sports for a special look back at the career of pro wrestling and pop culture icon Hulk Hogan. The world received shocking news on Thursday, reporting the death

His passing hit home for millions, especially those who grew up idolizing him. One of those people was Marcus Jordan, son of NBA legend Michael Jordan, who took a moment to reflect on how surreal and fragile life can be after losing not just one, but two of his childhood heroes in the same week.

Hulk Hogan's legacy in the ring is only matched by his lasting presence in the hobby. When it comes to wrestling cards, Hogan's are in the top echelon of sought after memorabilia.

With his red and yellow wrestling attire, bleached mustache and custom of ripping his shirt open, Hogan ascended alongside the then-WWF.

Wrestling icon Hulk Hogan died on Thursday at the age of 71. Perhaps the most well-known and recognizable wrestler in the history of the industry, he was a major catalyst in the growth of the World Wrestling Federation throughout the 1980s.