Jimmy Hart, Hulk Hogan’s close friend and former manager, was taken aback by the news of the wrestling legend’s passing this week. Hart mentioned that he received positive updates about Hogan’s health just a day before his sudden death.
The WWE Hall of Famer shared his last interaction with Hogan in an interview with People magazine. He revealed that he had spoken to Hogan’s assistant on Wednesday, who had reassured him that Hogan was “doing great.”
Hulk Hogan and manager Jimmy Hart spotted at the ITV Studios in London, England. (Alex Huckle/GC Images)
“I called [Hogan] on Wednesday night, and then Thursday morning is when everything took place,” Hart shared with the outlet. “So just overnight it all happened, but it was so positive the day before.”
Hogan had recently undergone neck surgery, adding to his extensive history of surgeries. Hart expressed that he refrained from visiting Hogan to ensure his recovery wasn’t compromised.
“It just hits so fast,” Hart commented on Hogan’s passing. “We thought he was doing so well, you know? We didn’t go to see him at the house and didn’t go to see him at the hospital, because we wanted to make sure that he didn’t get any infections or anything else, like if anybody had a cold or brought anything in. So, that’s what we all did.”
Hart mentioned that he had last seen Hogan about a month before his death and noted that Hogan was in good spirits interacting with fans.
Hulk Hogan with Jimmy Hart addressing the crowd during RAW at Intuit Dome on January 6, 2025, in Inglewood, California. (WWE/Getty Images)
“Well, tell him I love him,” Hart recalled conveying his final message to Hogan’s assistant.
Initial reports indicated that Hogan experienced a medical emergency at his Florida home on Thursday morning, leading to his tragic passing.
The Clearwater Police Department confirmed responding to a medical call at Hogan’s residence just before 10 a.m. He was treated for cardiac arrest on-site before being pronounced dead at Morton Plant Hospital.
The news of Hogan’s death followed previous health crisis rumors. However, his wife, Sky Daily, had refuted those reports, asserting his strength and recovery from surgeries.
Terry “Hulk Hogan” Bollea posing with wife Sky Daily during the Jake Paul vs Mike Perry main event at Amalie Arena on July 20, 2024, in Tampa, Florida. (Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
Like Hart, Sky Daily expressed her shock at the sudden loss in a statement, mentioning her disbelief and faith in Hogan’s recovery.
“I wasn’t ready for this… and my heart is in pieces,” her message read. “He had been dealing with some health issues, but I truly believed we would overcome them. I had so much faith in his strength. I thought we still had more time.”
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