Legendary wrestler Hulk Hogan once sued a website for $100 million for publishing his leaked s*x tape back in 2012 and won the lawsuit!

Legendary wrestler Hulk Hogan, who recently passed away following a cardiac arrest (via TMZ), had once sued a website that published his leaked s*x tape back in 2012.

The case was on trial, and Hulk Hogan appeared for a significant amount of time. It was a rare sight to see him in a suit in court, but the former wrestler had to get his truth out.

The leaked s*x tape featured Hulk Hogan and Heather Clem, the ex-wife of his estranged best friend. The tape had some severe consequences on the wrestler‘s career and impacted his personal life, and as a result, the retired wrestler decided to sue Gawker (the website).

Hulk Hogan Sued The Website That Published His Leaked S*x Tape For $100 Million

In 2016, the case was put on trial, with Hulk Hogan appearing in court and trying to argue his case. Hogan was put on the stand when he answered Gawker’s defence team since the wrestler had sued the company for $100 million for publishing his leaked s*x tape.

Hulk Hogan in a still from WWE Monday Night Raw | Credits: WWE

Hulk Hogan was recorded in the early 2000s having s*x with Heather Clem, and in 2016, the wrestler confessed how the tape affected his personal life.

After a lengthy legal battle, Hulk Hogan emerged victorious as he was awarded a total of $140 million, with $115 million in compensatory damages ($55 million for economic harm and $60 million for emotional distress) and an additional $25 million for punitive damages (via PBS)

Following the demand, Gawker Media filed for bankruptcy, and in November 2016, the lawsuit was settled with an agreement between both parties, with Gawker Media paying Hogan $31 million and the removal of the leaked s*x tape from their website. However, it wasn’t just about the leaked s*x tape, but Hulk Hogan faced emotional distress as his personal and professional life started to unravel.

How The Leaked S*x Tape Turned Hulk Hogan’s World ‘Upside Down’

According to ABC News, Hulk Hogan revealed that back in 2012, when the tape was released, his whole persona that he had built up over the years had taken a terrible hit.

Hulk Hogan at the WrestleMania V | Credits: WWE

Hulk Hogan’s personal life was in shambles since the wrestler had a dark cloud of guilt looming over his head wherever he went. Hogan went on to admit that he wasn’t able to eat and even sleep at times.

My whole world went upside down. This tape totally sabotaged me. [I] felt like I was turned inside out.

The wrestler also stated that he had no choice but to talk to the media because he was under pressure.

I just didn’t have a choice. We were getting barraged with the media … the problem was when we tried to get Gawker to take it down, they wouldn’t take it down … it just fueled this fire that was overwhelming.

Hulk Hogan’s life was going through a downward spiral since he was getting rejected from offers and potential WWE appearances because of his tainted image. Despite the toll it took on his personal and professional life, Hogan received a $31 million settlement for damage to his reputation.

The former wrestler was announced to have passed away on July 24, 2025, following a cardiac arrest. Our condolences go out to the legendary WWE Hall of Famer, and the legacy he left behind will never be forgotten.