“The last few months of Hogan’s life had more highs than lows,” a family insider told the Daily Mail. “But the strain in his relationship with Brooke had taken a deep emotional toll. Still, he believed—right up to the end—that they’d make amends.”
Hogan’s sudden passing at his Clearwater, Florida home came as a shock to many, especially those closest to him. Though his bond with Brooke had long been fractured, sources say he remained tightly connected to his son Nick, calling their relationship one of the few remaining bright spots in his private life.
Physically, Hogan was already weathering a host of serious health issues. Years of punishing performances in the wrestling ring had ravaged his body. In April, one insider grimly described the aging athlete as having “the body of a 140-year-old man.” His final summer included a major neck surgery, but his emotional wounds may have run even deeper.
Family Fractures and Final Words
Brooke Hogan, now 36, had largely remained silent on the reasons behind her distance from both of her parents. However, earlier this year she released a cryptic statement citing “verbal and mental abuse since childhood,” without naming either parent directly.
Despite their silence, TMZ reported that Brooke was able to speak to her father one last time before his death—and that she told him she loved him.
Her husband, professional hockey player Steven Oleksy, is said to have made multiple efforts to reconcile the family—but to no avail.
Meanwhile, Hogan’s ex-wife Linda, with whom he shared both children, was much more outspoken. In a teary and emotional video posted online this past March, Linda, 65, lamented her broken family and openly criticized both her ex-husband and daughter.
“She had twins, got married—we didn’t even know,” Linda said, referring to Brooke. “She hasn’t spoken to us in nearly eight years.”
Linda, who filed for divorce from Hogan in 2007 following a turbulent period for the family, didn’t mince words about her ex. She accused him of being a “sex addict” and a “complete liar,” and confessed that even two decades after their split, she was still grieving.
“It’s been 20 years and I’m still this sad,” Linda cried in the video. “Somebody explain that.”
The Rise and Fall of a Public Image
Hogan rose to fame in the 1980s as the ultimate symbol of American masculinity and patriotism. A household name with his own action figures, endorsements, and cartoon shows, he later transitioned to television with Hogan Knows Best, a VH1 reality series that gave the world a closer look at the Bollea family—and in the process, made Brooke a star.
But behind the scenes, the family was crumbling. A 2007 car crash involving son Nick left his friend John Graziano permanently injured and prompted a series of legal and emotional battles. Soon after, Linda filed for divorce and began dating a 19-year-old, while Hogan’s personal life continued to spiral.
In 2012, Linda was arrested for allegedly driving under the influence. That same year, Hogan was caught in a sex scandal involving the wife of a radio personality. He later sued Gawker for releasing footage of the incident, ultimately settling for $31 million in a case quietly funded by billionaire Peter Thiel.
Political Turn and Public Backlash
In his later years, Hogan reinvented himself again—this time as a political figure. He became a vocal supporter of President Donald Trump, endorsing him at the 2024 Republican National Convention and even suggesting himself as a possible running mate before Senator JD Vance was chosen. He later campaigned with Trump at a packed Madison Square Garden rally in October.
At the same time, Hogan was trying to re-enter the business world, launching a beer brand and leaning into his image as an enduring American icon.
But controversy continued to haunt him.
In 2015, a recording surfaced in which Hogan used racist slurs multiple times while discussing his daughter’s love life. He was heard saying, “I guess we’re all a little racist,” and used the n-word repeatedly.
The backlash was swift and severe, and Hogan’s public appearances with WWE were significantly reduced. As recently as this year, he was booed during a rare appearance in Los Angeles.
Legacy Complicated, Love Unresolved
Despite the controversies and fractures in his family, sources say Hogan was still holding on to the hope that time could heal old wounds—especially with Brooke.
“He’s heartbroken that he didn’t have a relationship with his daughter,” a close friend said in April. “But he’s trying not to let it consume him. He’s living life the way he wants.”
In the end, Hulk Hogan’s story may be remembered not only for his thunderous presence in the wrestling ring, but for the quieter battles he fought at home—against time, regret, and the painful distances between those he loved most.