Brooke Hogan’s husband released a brief statement on Tuesday following the unexpected death of wrestling icon Hulk Hogan, who died last Thursday at the age of 71.
Stephen Olexi, a former NHL player, shared his thoughts on Instagram, including a photo with Hogan and Brooke, who had been estranged from her father in recent times.
“My wife and I haven’t made any official comments about my father-in-law’s passing. We’re processing this in our own way and asking for privacy,” Olexi (39) stated.
Olexi, married to Brooke since 2022, also expressed concern about misinformation circulating regarding Hogan’s death.
“Anything you saw or heard wasn’t from us. There are many misleading AI-generated videos out there that don’t reflect our family’s feelings,” he added.
He expressed gratitude for the support they’ve received during this difficult time.
Hogan, whose birth name was Terry Borea, had two children with his first wife, Linda Hogan: Brooke, 37, and Nick, 34. Their marriage lasted from 1983 until 2009.
Brooke and Olexi welcomed twins in January.
Emergency services were called to Hogan’s home in Clearwater, Florida, last Thursday morning due to cardiac arrest.
He was transported to a nearby hospital but was unfortunately pronounced dead shortly after 11 AM.
WWE released a statement expressing sadness over the loss of Hogan, who was a central figure in popularizing wrestling in the 1980s.
The Legacy of Hulk Hogan
“WWE sends condolences to Hogan’s family, friends, and fans,” the statement continued.
Brooke’s last conversation with her father reportedly took place two weeks before his wedding to Sky Daly, which was also around the time of his induction into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2023.
According to TMZ, Brooke told Hogan that she loved him and expressed concern over his health, urging him not to overexert himself.
Sources close to the family indicated that Hogan was immensely proud of Brooke, referring to her as “his little girl.”
Leading up to Hogan’s death, there was heightened speculation about his wellbeing after he had undergone treatment for neck issues. Reports surfaced that he wasn’t feeling well, leading to concerns about his happiness.
Despite the rumors, Hogan’s representative stated that he was simply managing ongoing health challenges and was still active.
In the aftermath of Hogan’s passing, tributes poured in from the sports community, with heartfelt messages from those closest to him, including his wife, Sky, who expressed her grief on Instagram.
“I wasn’t ready for this… my heart is shattered,” she wrote. “He was dealing with various health problems, and we really thought he would pull through. I had faith in him. I believed there would be more time.”
Hogan’s first marriage was to Jennifer McDaniel in 2010, and they divorced in 2022.
