Terry Bollea, the professional wrestler better known as Hulk Hogan, has died at the age of 71.

Emergency services responded to a call for medical assistance at Hulk Hogan's home in Clearwater, Florida. "The nature of the call was for a cardiac arrest," the Clearwater Police Department said in a statement.

In a statement, World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) said it was "saddened to learn WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan has passed away".

Describing Hogan as "one of pop culture’s most [recognisable] figures", the organisation said "Hogan helped WWE achieve global recognition in the 1980s".

Hogan was the face of the WWE (then known as the WWF) in the 1980s, headlining the first nine editions of its flagship event, WrestleMania. Hogan's fame was such that he expanded into films and later reality television.

In the 1990s, he wrestled for the rival WCW as part of the nWO faction, and again with the WWE when the companies merged in the early 2000s.

He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005 and was inducted as a member of nWO in 2020, but he was removed from the hall for a three-year period from 2015, when his WWE contract was terminated after footage of him using a racial slur emerged.

He was controversially reinstated in 2018, and in recent years, he has become a prominent supporter of Donald Trump, appearing at the US President's rallies and events during last year's election campaign.

In one of his final public appearances in January, Hogan was roundly booed by fans when he walked on stage during the first episode of WWE's Raw to air on Netflix.

Ric Flair, another WWE legend who wrestled against Hogan for much of their career, said he was "absolutely shocked" to hear of his death.

"An incredible athlete, talent, friend and father," Flair said in a post on X. "Our friendship has meant the world to me."

"We lost a great friend today, the 'Hulkster,'" Trump wrote on Truth Social. "Hulk Hogan was MAGA all the way — Strong, tough, smart, but with the biggest heart."

He went on to write that Hogan gave an "absolutely electric speech at the Republican National Convention", which he called "one of the highlights of the entire week."

"He entertained fans from all over the World, and the cultural impact he had was massive," Trump continued. "To his wife, Sky, and family, we give our warmest best wishes and love. Hulk Hogan will be greatly missed!"

Donald Trump Jr, son of the US President, posted a selfie with Hogan from the 2024 Republican National Convention and captioned it: "RIP to a legend".

US Vice-President JD Vance described Hogan as "a great American icon," and  "one of the first people I ever truly admired as a kid".

In a post on X, he continued: "The last time I saw him, we promised we’d get beers together next time we saw each other.

"The next time will have to be on the other side, my friend! Rest in peace."

Peter Hegseth, the US defence secretary, also paid his respects, saying "RIP" in a post on X alongside a picture of Hogan waving an American flag in a wrestling ring.

At the time of his death, Hogan was believed to have a net worth $25m, although his wealth has taken a significant hit in recent years.

Hogan had been awarded $140m in compensatory and punitive damages by a Florida court in 2016 after suing Gawker Media for publishing parts of his sex tape, although the parties later reached a $31m settlement after Gawker filed for bankruptcy.

During divorce proceedings from his ex-wife Linda in 2007, Hogan's net worth was given as $30m, and he was ultimately ordered to give her 70 per cent of their liquid assets, $3m in cash to cover property settlements, and a 40 per cent stake in various business entities.

Photo: Professional entertainer and wrestler Hulk Hogan rips his shirt as he speaks on stage on the fourth day of the Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum on July 18, 2024 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Pic: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)