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Hulk Hogan, real name Terry Bollea, died on July 24 after suffering a cardiac arrest at his home in Clearwater, Florida. The WWE Hall of Famer passed away at the age of 71. The wrestling fraternity and fans worldwide mourned the loss of a man who was an icon of the sport in the 1980s and 1990s. Tributes poured in from around the world in remembrance of Hogan from figures like Dwayne Johnson, Sylvester Stallone, and John Cena. His son, Nick Hogan also shared a moving tribute, but the tribute by Hulk’s daughter offered a more personal perspective on their relationship.
Hulk Hogan’s daughter Brook Hogan posted a heartfelt eulogy on July 29. In a post on Instagram, the 37-year-old reality star addressed their complex relationship and dispelled misconceptions about their estrangement. We never had a “big fight”. My father and I never “fought”, Brooke wrote in the post clarifying that their differences was not due to a dramatic falling out, but rather a series of private, respectful disagreements. “I’m deeply grateful for the love, tributes, and memorials from his fans and friends. His life was one worth celebrating and always will be,” she wrote in the emotional message shed light on the deep bond they shared.
Brooke Hogan’s husband former NHL player Steven Oleksy also paid tribute to Hulk Hogan
In her message, Brooke Hogan revealed that Hulk had confided in her about personal and business struggles, and she urged him to prioritize his health, particularly after accompanying him through nearly 25 surgeries. “I begged him to rest, to take care of himself,” she wrote, noting that she and Oleksy moved to Florida to be closer to him as his health declined. However, Brooke described a shift in their relationship, stating, “All of a sudden he didn’t want me at surgeries, everything started getting covered in a thick veil. It was like there was a force field around him that I couldn’t get through.” She further wrote that Hulk made choices that “tore at his spirit”, leading to “respectful disagreements”.
The estrangement became public knowledge when Brooke did not attend Hulk’s wedding to Sky Daily in September 2023. In a statement at the time, she explained her absence was part of a broader decision to distance herself from her family for “healing and happiness,” focusing on those who aligned with her “personal beliefs, goals, and values.”
Their relationship reportedly got sour with controversies surrounding Hulk’s 2015 leaked audio where he used racial slurs about Brooke’s then-boyfriend, leading to his temporary removal from the WWE Hall of Fame. Brooke’s husband and former NHL player Steven Oleksy also shared a tribute on Instagram, resharing a friend’s post that described Brooke’s deep love and loyalty to her father. “Thank you for the love and support for my beautiful wife,” he wrote, calling the period a “challenging time.”
