Brooke Hogan Remembers Her Father in a Personal Way
Brooke Hogan, daughter of the legendary wrestler Hulk Hogan, chose to honor her father privately rather than attending his funeral service in Florida. Instead, she celebrated his life in one of his favorite spots.
“My dad wasn’t a fan of funerals; he really disliked them,” Brooke posted on Instagram. “I know many people are feeling sad, but I really appreciate all the celebrations in his memory.” She emphasized her desire to pay tribute in a way that felt genuine to her.
Accompanied by her husband, Steve Oleski, and their young twins, Brooke marked the occasion on the beach, a place where she felt a strong connection to her father. “What I really missed today were his lawn chairs and watching the sunset together,” she reflected in her post.
Despite being somewhat estranged from Hulk in recent years, she shared images of her family enjoying the “same saltwater” that wrestling icons loved. “Daddy, we honored you in a way that resonated with my soul,” Brooke wrote, noting how her daughter Molly has a love for the water.
Hulk Hogan’s private funeral was attended by close friends and family at Indian Rocks Baptist Church in Largo, Florida. A Paul Bearer carried Hogan’s casket adorned with a yellow boutonniere, a tribute to his iconic wrestling persona.
The wrestler, whose real name was Terry Borea, passed away on July 24, 1971, after suffering a heart attack at his Clearwater home.
In a heartfelt message, Brooke expressed her love and respect for her father, saying, “We reminded you that everything—and every grain of sand—is your beach baby.” She conveyed a deep sense of connection even in his absence.
Hulk shared his first wife, Linda, with two children, Brooke and her brother, Nick. Brooke has often talked about her father in the time following his death.
In a detailed Instagram post from July 29, she sought to clarify the complexities surrounding their relationship, especially after becoming estranged in September 2023. “My father’s blood runs through my veins. His eyes shine through my children,” she wrote, emphasizing their bond despite their differences.
Brooke mentioned that when she felt a “Force Field” separating them, she relocated to Florida with Oleski in hopes of reconnecting. The last communication she had with her father occurred just two weeks before her wedding.
In navigating family dynamics and avoiding conflict, she felt a sense of necessity, especially concerning her mother and her father’s wife, Sky Daly. Although WWE acknowledged Hulk Hogan with tributes on “SmackDown” and “Monday Night Raw,” where Nick was present, Brooke stated that she hadn’t received an invitation. “For those who criticized my absence from Dad’s tribute, please know that @WWE didn’t extend an invite,” she clarified on Instagram.
