Brooke Hogan Breaks Silence on Hulk Hogan’s Passing: “He Was My Hero Long Before the World Knew Him”

By Lauren Michaels | Entertainment & Sports Desk
📅 August 8, 2025

For fans across the globe, the passing of Hulk Hogan marked the end of an era in professional wrestling. But for his daughter Brooke Hogan, it marked the loss of her father, her mentor, and the man who shaped her life beyond the bright lights of the WWE.

It took Brooke several days to gather her thoughts and speak publicly. On Tuesday, she appeared on The Bubba the Love Sponge Show in her first live interview since the WWE Hall of Famer’s death, opening up about memories, private struggles, and parts of her father’s life that the public had never known.

The Weight of Grief

Brooke admitted that the days following her father’s passing had been “a blur,” filled with family gatherings, phone calls from around the world, and moments where grief felt overwhelming.

“It’s hard to find words when the person who’s been your rock is suddenly gone,” she said. “I wasn’t ready to speak until I knew I could do it without completely breaking down.”

The interview began with Brooke thanking fans for the “outpouring of love” and saying that reading their messages helped her through the hardest nights.

The Private Side of the Hulkster

For decades, Hulk Hogan — born Terry Bollea — was known for his towering presence, iconic handlebar mustache, and his larger-than-life persona in the wrestling ring. But Brooke said the man behind the character was much more gentle than fans might have imagined.

“He was a softie at home,” Brooke revealed. “He loved cooking breakfast, he’d sing old country songs around the house, and he never missed a chance to make me laugh.”

She added that while the world saw him as a superhero, she saw him as “the guy who fixed my bike, who gave me pep talks before my first music performances, and who taught me how to stand up for myself.”

Health Battles Kept Private

One of the most surprising revelations came when Brooke spoke about her father’s health struggles. She disclosed that Hogan had been dealing with complications from multiple surgeries and had been in and out of the hospital in recent months — something he chose not to publicize.

“Dad never wanted people to see him as weak,” Brooke explained. “He fought through pain every day but still found the strength to smile for fans. He never complained.”

Final Conversation

Brooke became emotional when recalling her final conversation with her father.

“He told me, ‘No matter what, keep your head up. And remember, life is about lifting others up, not tearing them down.’ Those words… they’ll stay with me forever.”

She said that in the days before his passing, they spoke about the future, her music, and their plans to take a father-daughter trip — something they hadn’t done in years.

The Outpouring from the Wrestling World

Since the announcement of his death, tributes have poured in from wrestling legends, celebrities, and fans worldwide. WWE aired a special video package in his honor, and major arenas lit up their scoreboards with the words “Thank You, Hulk.”

Brooke admitted she has been moved by the solidarity:

“Seeing so many people honor him… it’s comforting. It reminds me that he left a mark far bigger than wrestling.”

Life After Loss

When asked about how she plans to move forward, Brooke said she wants to continue her father’s legacy of inspiring others.

“Dad always believed in giving back. Whether it was visiting sick kids in the hospital or helping a friend in need, he taught me that your platform is meant to help others. That’s how I’ll honor him.”

She hinted at plans for a charity initiative in her father’s name, focusing on children’s health and wellness — something she says he was passionate about in his later years.

A Message to the Fans

Brooke closed the interview with a heartfelt message to Hulk Hogan’s supporters:

“Thank you for loving him. Thank you for cheering him on through every match, every comeback, every challenge. He loved you all, truly. And he would want you to remember that ‘Hulkamania’ isn’t just about wrestling — it’s about believing in yourself when no one else does.”

Hulk Hogan’s funeral will be held in a private ceremony for family and close friends, with a public memorial service expected in the coming weeks. WWE is also reportedly in talks to host a televised tribute event.

For Brooke, the grief is still raw, but she says her father’s voice — the same booming, reassuring voice that once electrified arenas — is still with her.

“Every time I feel like I can’t keep going, I hear him saying, ‘Whatcha gonna do when life runs wild on you?’ And I smile, because that was Dad. Always pushing me to keep going, no matter what.”