Hulk Hogan is a retired professional wrestler, actor, and reality TV personality who has achieved global popularity as one of the most famous professional wrestlers. He accrued fans and fame throughout the 1980s and 1990s as a member of the World Wrestling Federation (now World Wrestling Entertainment or WWE) and has become a cultural icon. Today, we will uncover Hulk Hogan’s net worth and reveal how he earned his wealth.
Who is Hulk Hogan?
Hulk Hogan, whose real name is Terry Gene Bollea, is a former professional wrestler, actor, reality TV star, and musician. He became a household name as a WWF/WWE champion and WrestleMania headliner. Known for his heroic persona and massively popular appearances, he is widely celebrated as one of the greatest wrestlers ever.
Although Hulk Hogan started his professional wrestling career in 1977, he became globally famous after signing with the WWF (today WWE) in 1983. He is commonly credited for helping initiate the 1980s professional wrestling boom, headlining the WWF’s trademark yearly event Wrestlemania eight times.
As a five-time WWF Champion, at 1,474 days, his reign is the longest in WrestleMania’s history. His match with André the Giant on February 5, 1988, is the most viewed wrestling event in American history, with 33 million viewers and a 15.2 Nielsen rating.
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Hogan has adopted multiple personas and switched promotion companies several times. However, his partnership with the WWF/WWE was the most productive, and he was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame twice, first individually in 2005 and then as part of the ‘villainous’ wrestling group New World Order (nWo).
Hulk Hogan found himself in several controversial situations that caused professional, financial, and emotional harm, at one instance almost prematurely ending his professional wrestling career. However, he has always made a comeback and remains a pop culture icon today.
Hulk Hogan’s net worth
As of 2024, Hulk Hogan’s net worth is approximately $25 million, according to multiple online sources, including CelebrityNetWorth, The Sporting News, and TheRichest. However, the figure is only an estimate as there is no public data on Hulk Hogan’s total wealth.
Divorce with first wife, Linda
His divorce from Linda cost Hogan 70% of their shared liquid assets (about $10 million), $3 million in cash, and a 40% stake in his various businesses, almost bankrupting the professional wrestler. Furthermore, the event also cost Hogan emotionally, with him stating that he considered ending his life at the time.
Gawker settlement
In April 2012, Hulk Hogan had sex with Heather Clem, the wife of radio personality Bubba the Love Sponge, which Bubba secretly filmed. In October of that year, Gawker, a blog centered on media celebrities, released an edited two-minute clip of the encounter. Hogan requested that Gawker remove the video, which they refused. This prompted him to file a lawsuit claiming invasion of privacy.
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Hogan first sought $100 million in damages, and the jury sided with him and ordered Gawker to pay $140 million. The website unsuccessfully appealed the judgment and was forced into bankruptcy. In November 2016, the parties reached a $31 million settlement.
Hulk Hogan has received significant help from the billionaire Peter Thiel, the founder of PayPal (NASDAQ: PYPL), who has held a personal grudge against Gawker after they outed him as gay against his wishes.
Hulk Hogan’s professional wrestling career
Hogan started wrestling in 1977 in a match for the CWF promotion in Florida. In fact, his initial persona was a masked character, ‘The Super Destroyer.’ After a local TV host noticed that Hogan was physically bigger and more muscular than Lou Ferrigno, the actor behind the ‘Incredible Hulk,’ he made a favorable comparison, which helped inspire Hogan’s trademark wrestling persona.
In 1979, Hogan met Vince McMahon, who helped him create the ‘Hulk Hogan’ moniker and alter ego. His 6’7″ frame, distinctive blond hair, handlebar mustache, and trademark catchphrases like ‘Whatcha gonna do, brother?’ made him a fan favorite.
McMahon, who founded the modern WWE, has contributed significantly to his career, essentially making him the face of the modern professional wrestling industry. As a result of Hulk Hogan’s collaboration with McMahon, ‘Hulkster’ and ‘Hulkmania’ became a worldwide cultural phenomenon.
His first landmark fight and a WWF Champion title was a victory over The Iron Sheik in 1984. The duel kicked off several long title reigns and memorable feuds with wrestling icons such as Randy Savage, Andre the Giant, and The Ultimate Warrior. In fact, his body slam against Andre the Giant at Wrestlemania in 1987 remains the most watched moment in wrestling on television’s history.
In the 1990s, he joined the rival World Championship Wrestling (WCW) industry, where he played an integral role in the New World Order (nWo) narrative. This essentially revived his career and boosted the professional wrestling industry.
Hulk Hogan’s other business endeavors
Hogan leveraged his colossal popularity to launch a successful acting career, peaking with his role as Thunderlips in Rocky III. He also appeared in films like No Holds Barred, Mr. Nanny, and Suburban Commando and starred in the TV series Thunder in Paradise.
In 2005, VH1 launched Hogan Knows Best, a reality show featuring Hogan, his then-wife Linda, and their two children, Brooke and Nick. In 2008, a spin-off called Brooke Knows Best launched, focusing mainly on Brooke, his daughter.
Hulk Hogan successfully relied on his image to launch, embrace, and support a plethora of businesses, projects, and products. He launched a restaurant, Pastamania, that lasted less than a year. In 2006, Hogan launched his own energy drink, Hogan Energy, and in 2011, he launched Hogan Nutrition, a website that features many nutritional and dietary products.
In 2008, Hulk Hogan’s net worth was estimated at around $30 million. However, only three years later, Hogan revealed that his extravagant lifestyle and divorce from Linda had cost him ‘hundreds of millions of dollars,’ nearly bankrupting him.
Hulk revealed that he had been the first choice to endorse what became known as the George Foreman Grill. He declined and instead stood behind a blender known as the Hulk Hogan Thunder Mixer—the decision cost Hogan at least $137.5 million.
Hulk Hogan endorsed Donald Trump for President in the 2024 elections. Furthermore, spoke at the RNC alongside UFC President Dana White, both icons in the world of combat sports and entertainment.
Recommended video: WATCH: Hulk Hogan speaks at 2024 Republican National Convention | 2024 RNC Night 4
The bottom line
Several sources claim that Hulk Hogan’s net worth is $25 million as of 2024. However, the number can only be an estimate, as Hogan’s financial info remains away from public eyes, and the wrestler has recently been quiet about his net worth.
Disclaimer: The content on this site should not be considered investment advice. Investing is speculative. When investing, your capital is at risk.
