Jimmy Hart, longtime friend and manager of Hulk Hogan, says he’s still in shock over the sudden death of the wrestling icon, revealing that he spoke with Hogan’s assistant just hours before the tragedy and was told the WWE legend was recovering well.
“I called [Hogan] on Wednesday night, and then Thursday morning is when everything took place,” Hart told People on Friday.
“It was so positive the day before.”
“He Was Doing So Well”
Hart, who managed Hogan through some of the most iconic moments in professional wrestling history, said the news came out of nowhere.
“It just hits so fast,” Hart said. “We thought he was doing so well, you know?”
Hogan had reportedly undergone neck surgery earlier this year — just one of at least 25 procedures the 71-year-old Hall of Famer endured following a career filled with high-impact matches.
“We didn’t go to see him at the house or the hospital,” Hart added, explaining they wanted to avoid risking infection during his recovery.
Hogan’s Final Day
Hogan was reportedly in good spirits, speaking with fans just a month ago. Hart said he hadn’t seen his friend since then, but stayed in touch.
“Well, tell him I love him,” Hart recalled as the final message he shared with Hogan’s assistant.
The Clearwater Police Department confirmed that emergency crews responded to a medical call at Hogan’s home just before 10 a.m. Thursday.
Hogan was treated on site for cardiac arrest before being rushed to Morton Plant Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Sky Daily: “My Heart Is In Pieces”
Hogan’s wife, Sky Daily, also shared her grief in a public message Friday morning.
“I wasn’t ready for this… and my heart is in pieces,” she wrote.
“He had been dealing with some health issues, but I truly believed we would overcome them. I had so much faith in his strength.”
Her statement follows weeks of speculation about Hogan’s condition — rumors the family had denied, saying he was recovering and strong.
A Legend Remembered
Hulk Hogan, born Terry Bollea, was one of the most recognizable faces in professional wrestling and American pop culture. His death comes as a blow to generations of fans who grew up watching him dominate the ring.
Hart, like many, is still processing the loss.
“It was like, ‘Oh my God.’”
