Hulk Hogan Net Worth (Money & Salary)

Hulk Hogan’s Net Worth and Salary: What Is It?

American actor, wrestler, and reality television star Hulk Hogan has a net worth of $25 million. This estimate includes his Gawker.com settlement, starting at $140 million but eventually reduced to $31 million before taxes. Also factored in is the significant amount Hulk Hogan lost in his divorce from ex-wife Linda Hogan.

In 2007, during his divorce proceedings with Linda, Hogan’s net worth was reported to be $30 million. Following the divorce, he had to relinquish 70% of their liquid assets, pay $3 million in cash for property settlements, and give up a 40% ownership stake in his various businesses. Hogan has openly acknowledged spending “hundreds of millions” extravagantly during the peak of his career in the 1990s.

Hulk Hogan played a pivotal role in transforming professional wrestling into the “sports entertainment” juggernaut it is today, more than any other individual. In the 1980s and 90s, he was a prominent figure in the world of wrestling, first with Vince McMahon’s WWF (earning up to $1 million for appearances at Wrestlemanias V and VI) and later with Ted Turner’s WCW. His fame extended beyond wrestling into television and movies.

The Gawker Lawsuit

In 2012, Hulk Hogan engaged in consensual relations with Bubba the Love Sponge’s wife, without knowing it was filmed on a surveillance camera. Gawker.com later obtained the sex tape and published an edited version on its site. Hulk Hogan objected and filed a lawsuit against Gawker for privacy invasion. The lawsuit initial sought $100 million, with a Florida jury eventually awarding $140 million in damages. Gawker’s appeal was unsuccessful, leading to a settlement of $31 million with Hogan.

Post-lawsuit, it was revealed that Peter Thiel, a PayPal/Facebook billionaire, had funded $10 million towards Hogan’s case due to his grudge against Gawker for outing him as gay in a 2007 article. Thiel’s support stemmed from his belief that Gawker used damaging tactics without regard for privacy or newsworthiness.

Early Years

Born Terry Gene Bollea on August 11, 1953, in Augusta, Georgia, Hulk Hogan moved to Tampa, Florida, in infancy and has remained there since. Initially drawn to baseball, a wrestling career was sparked after an injury cut short his baseball aspirations at 16.

Wrestling Path

Hulk Hogan’s wrestling journey began with CWF in 1977, adopting the masked persona “The Super Destroyer.” Transitioning to the WWE and transforming into Hulk, his stardom soared in the late ’80s and ’90s, with massive viewership for events like WrestleMania. His break in “Rocky III” further expanded his reach beyond wrestling to a wider audience.

Separating ways from the WWF for the first time without McMahon’s permission occurred, and he made a comeback in 1983 when McMahon’s son took over the company. The new management aimed for more mainstream success and saw Hogan as the ideal face of the company.

This strategy proved successful, launching the worldwide pop culture phenomenon known as “Hulkamania,” which persisted in one form or another well into the 21st century.

Acting

Utilizing his popularity, Hogan ventured into acting, debuting as Thunderlips in the 1982 film “Rocky III.” Throughout the ’80s and ’90s, he pursued various mainstream projects in hopes of establishing himself as a Hollywood action star, including roles in films like “No Holds Barred,” “Suburban Commando,” and “Mr. Nanny.” Additionally, he headlined the TV series “Thunder in Paradise” from 1993 to 1995. Transitioning to celebrity reality television, Hogan starred in the VH1 series “Hogan Knows Best” featuring his family, and made a guest appearance on ABC’s “The Goldbergs” in 2019.

Other Endeavors

Hogan’s astute merchandising and marketing skills led him to venture into various businesses. Notably, in 1995, he launched Pastamania, a signature pasta restaurant in the Mall of America, which unfortunately closed within a year.

Interestingly, Hogan claimed to have been the initial choice to endorse what later became the George Foreman Grill but opted to endorse a meatball maker instead, a decision that reportedly cost him $200 million, showcased in this video:

In subsequent years, Hogan introduced Hogan Energy, his own energy drink in 2006, followed by “Hulkster Burgers,” a line of frozen cheeseburgers that hit store shelves. He expanded into the restaurant business with Hogan’s Beach in Tampa in 2012 and later Hogan’s Hangout in nearby Clearwater Beach.

Highlighted by the Wrestling Figure Checklist, Hogan has had 171 action figures produced across the 1980s and 2010s by various manufacturers and promotions.

Personal Life

In December 1983, Hogan tied the knot with Linda Claridge, and together they have two children: daughter Brooke Hogan and son Nick Hogan. Following rumors of infidelity, Linda filed for divorce in 2007, revealing that Hogan’s net worth was $30 million at the time, equivalent to $45 million today, with investments in various businesses and real estate across Florida. Hogan continues to earn revenue from merchandise sales and brand residuals.

In December 2010, Hogan married Jennifer McDaniel after over two years of dating. However, in February 2022, Hogan announced their divorce on Twitter. He then married yoga instructor Sky Daily on September 22, 2023, marking his third marriage.

Divorce Settlement

Upon the finalization of Hulk and Linda Hogan’s divorce, he was required to pay 70% of their liquid assets to Linda, provide $3 million in cash for real estate settlements, and grant her a 40% ownership stake in his various businesses. In a revealing radio interview in 2011, Hogan admitted that the divorce nearly brought him to bankruptcy. Linda did not receive alimony but did secure $7.44 million from the $10.41 million held in their bank and investment accounts. Additionally, she retained a Mercedes-Benz, a Corvette, and a Cadillac Escalade.

Hogan has since made strides towards financial recovery. Rejoining the WWE in February 2014 after over five years, he landed a hosting job at WrestleMania. However, in July 2015, Hogan was fired from the WWE due to a series of racist comments. Nonetheless, he was reinstated into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2018. On January 23, 2023, Hogan made an appearance alongside Jimmy Hart to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of Raw at WWE Raw is XXX.

Real Estate

In 1992, Hogan acquired a waterfront property in Belleair, Florida, for $2 million, where he built a massive mansion spanning over 17,000 square feet, completed in 1996. Featured on the reality show “Hogan Knows Best” between 2005 and 2007, the property was listed for sale at $26 million in 2006 as his separation from Linda loomed. Amid the financial crisis, the home’s price was reduced to $6.2 million in 2012, a significant decrease from the initial listing.

In 2014, Hogan purchased a residence in Clearwater, Florida, for $3 million and added the neighboring home for $1.6 million in 2016.