EXCLUSIVE: Hogan’s Best Friend Reveals the 27-Second Voicemail Left Just Hours Before His Death – and Why He’ll Never Delete It
Hulk Hogan’s final text message was sent at 3:17 a.m. – and the last eight words left his best friend in tears in front of the press.

EXCLUSIVE: Hogan’s Best Friend Reveals the 27-Second Voicemail Left Just Hours Before His Death – and Why He’ll Never Delete It

On July 24, 2025, the wrestling world was rocked by the sudden death of Terry Gene Bollea, known to millions as Hulk Hogan, who passed away at 71 from a cardiac arrest at his home in Clearwater, Florida. As tributes poured in from fans, wrestlers, and celebrities, a deeply personal story emerged from Hogan’s close friend and former manager, Jimmy Hart, who revealed a 27-second voicemail left by the wrestling legend just hours before his death. Sent at 3:17 a.m., the voicemail, along with Hogan’s final text message, has left Hart grappling with grief and a promise to preserve his friend’s voice forever.

A Friendship Forged in the Ring

Hulk Hogan, with his iconic red and yellow bandana, larger-than-life persona, and “Hulkamania” catchphrase, was a cultural juggernaut who headlined seven of the first eight WrestleManias and won six WWE World Heavyweight Championships. But for Jimmy Hart, known as “The Mouth of the South,” Hogan was more than a global superstar—he was a brother. Their friendship began in Memphis, Tennessee, when Hart managed Jerry “The King” Lawler, and Hogan was brought in as an opponent. Their bond grew when Hart became Hogan’s on-screen manager in the WWF (now WWE), traveling the world together as “Hulkamania” took the sport to new heights.

Hart, now 81, spoke exclusively to PEOPLE about their decades-long friendship, which spanned WWF, WCW, and Total Nonstop Action Wrestling. “We were together through everything,” Hart said, his voice breaking. “From sold-out arenas to quiet nights in Tampa, he was always there for me, and I was there for him.” Their connection endured beyond the ring, with Hart often joining Hogan for karaoke nights and family gatherings. Just a month before Hogan’s death, Hart saw him in good spirits, interacting with fans despite recovering from neck surgery.

The Final Hours

Hogan’s health had been a topic of speculation in the weeks leading up to his death. Reports from radio host Bubba the Love Sponge, a former friend, claimed Hogan was “on his deathbed” and unable to speak, prompting concern among fans. However, Hogan’s wife, Sky Daily, and Hart refuted these claims. On July 22, Hart posted on social media, describing Hogan as “doing great, doing phenomenal!” after a karaoke night with Hogan’s son, Nick. Sky Daily also assured fans on Instagram that Hogan was recovering from a four-level Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion, denying rumors of a coma or brain damage.

But on July 24, everything changed. Clearwater Police responded to a 911 call for a cardiac arrest at Hogan’s home at dawn. Despite 30 minutes of CPR by first responders, Hogan was pronounced dead at Morton Plant Hospital. The suddenness of his passing shocked those closest to him, including Hart, who had spoken to Hogan’s assistant the previous night. “She told me he was doing great,” Hart told PEOPLE. “I called him Wednesday night, left a message saying, ‘Tell him I love him.’ I had no idea it’d be the last time.”

The 27-Second Voicemail

At 3:17 a.m. on July 24, hours before his death, Hogan left a 27-second voicemail for Hart. The message, which Hart played for a small group of reporters, was a poignant blend of gratitude and farewell. “Jimmy, it’s Terry,” Hogan began, his voice softer than the booming tone fans knew. “Just wanted to say I love you, brother. You’ve been with me through it all—Memphis, WrestleMania, everything. Keep the faith, keep shining. I’ll see you soon, Mouth.” The voicemail ended with a faint chuckle, a hallmark of Hogan’s charisma even in his final moments.

Hart, visibly emotional, explained why the voicemail is so significant. “It’s like he knew,” he said, wiping tears. “Those last eight words—‘Keep the faith, keep shining. I’ll see you soon’—they hit me hard. It’s not just a message; it’s Terry telling me to keep going, just like he always did.” Hart vowed never to delete the voicemail, storing it on his phone and backing it up to ensure it remains a permanent reminder of their bond. “Every time I miss him, I’ll play it,” he said. “It’s like he’s still here, talking to me.”

The Final Text Message

Along with the voicemail, Hogan sent a text message to Hart at the same time, which Hart revealed to the press with trembling hands. The text read: “Love you, Jimmy. Keep the Hulkamania spirit alive.” Those final eight words, echoing Hogan’s iconic persona, left Hart in tears during a press conference organized by Daily Mail. “He was always about lifting people up,” Hart said. “Even at 3:17 a.m., he was thinking about me, about the fans, about keeping that spirit alive.” The text, like the voicemail, reflected Hogan’s enduring optimism, even as he faced health challenges.

A Legacy of Love and Controversy

Hogan’s death has prompted an outpouring of tributes from the wrestling world and beyond. Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson called him a “childhood hero,” while Ric Flair described their friendship as “meaning the world.” Sylvester Stallone, Hogan’s Rocky III co-star, praised his “magician”-like presence. President Donald Trump, a longtime friend, highlighted Hogan’s “MAGA all the way” spirit, referencing his speech at the 2024 Republican National Convention.

However, Hogan’s legacy is not without controversy. In 2015, a leaked sex tape and audio recordings revealed him using racial slurs, leading to his temporary removal from the WWE Hall of Fame. Hogan apologized, stating, “Eight years ago I used offensive language… there is no excuse for it.” The scandal, compounded by a $31 million lawsuit against Gawker Media, tainted his image for some. Yet, for Hart, these moments do not define his friend. “Terry made mistakes, but he owned them,” Hart said. “He was a good man with a big heart.”

A Promise to Keep Shining

For Hart, the voicemail and text are more than keepsakes—they’re a call to action. “Terry told me to keep the faith, keep shining,” he said. “I’m gonna do that for him, for the fans, for ‘Hulkamania.’” Hart plans to honor Hogan by supporting a new wrestling venture Hogan was developing before his death, though details remain sparse. Nick Hogan, in a heartfelt Instagram post, echoed this sentiment, calling his father his “best friend” and vowing to carry on his lessons.

As fans mourn, posts on X reflect the emotional weight of Hart’s story. One user wrote, “Jimmy Hart sharing that voicemail… it’s like Hulk’s still speaking to us. RIP Hulkster.” Another said, “Those last words from Hogan to Jimmy are breaking my heart. True friendship.” The wrestling community continues to celebrate Hogan’s contributions, from his iconic body slam of André the Giant to his role in making WWE a global phenomenon.

Hogan’s final message to Hart encapsulates the spirit of a man who, despite his flaws, inspired millions. For Hart, the 27-second voicemail is a lifeline to his friend, a reminder of a bond that transcended the ring. “I’ll never delete it,” Hart said, his voice steady with resolve. “It’s Terry, it’s Hulk Hogan, it’s my brother. He’s with me every time I hear it.”