Hulk Hogan was ‘heartbroken’ over estranged daughter Brooke as he struggled emotionally before his death

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: In the months leading up to his death at 71, Hulk Hogan was battling deep emotional turmoil and heartbreak, largely stemming from a long-standing estrangement with his daughter. 

The wrestling legend, born Terry Bollea, had not spoken to his daughter Brooke, 36, in eight years, a rift that weighed heavily on him until the end. Hogan died of cardiac arrest at his home in Clearwater, Florida, on Thursday, July 24. 

Hulk Hogan 'had more ups than downs' in his final months, reveals insider

A towering figure in American pop culture, Hogan rose to fame as a symbol of patriotism and machismo, with a career that spanned professional wrestling, Hollywood, and reality TV.

Hulk Hogan married his first wife, Linda Hogan, in 1983, and they divorced in 2009. He later married Jennifer McDaniel, but the couple split in 2021. Two years later, he married his third wife, Sky Daily. Hogan shares two children, Brooke and Nick, with Linda.

The former WWE legend was quietly battling emotional wounds behind his public persona in the months before his sudden death. While those close to him say there were moments of joy, his fractured relationship with his daughter Brooke cast a long shadow over his final days.

“The last few months of Hogan's life had a lot more ups than downs,” one insider shared, “There was a little strain with his daughter and their relationship that had taken quite the emotional toll, but he always thought he would eventually be able to rectify that.”

Hogan remained close to his son Nick, and his death has left family and friends in disbelief. 

"He was still extremely close to his son. It is a surprise and doesn't feel real at all to his family and friends.” said another source.

Physically, Hogan’s body bore the scars of a lifetime in the wrestling ring. A source once described him as having “the body of a 140-year-old man,” and he had undergone major neck surgery just weeks before his death.

But despite his physical challenges, it was the emotional weight of unresolved family rifts that many say defined Hogan’s final chapter. “He was heartbroken,” a source said plainly—proof that even the strongest icons aren’t immune to the pain of broken bonds.

Brooke Hogan had one final phone call with her father Hulk Hogan before his death

Hulk Hogan’s estranged daughter Brooke Hogan has never publicly detailed the reasons behind her estrangement from her parents, but earlier this year, she issued a statement claiming she had endured "verbal and mental abuse since childhood." 

Although she emphasized that her remarks weren’t directed specifically at either parent, her comments hinted at deep-seated emotional trauma.

Despite years of silence, Brooke reportedly had one final phone call with her father shortly before his death, in which she was able to tell him she loved him, according to TMZ. 

Brooke’s husband, professional hockey player Steven Oleksy, made several efforts to mend the family divide, but sources say he failed to "foster peace."

While Hogan remained largely silent about the family rift, his ex-wife Linda Bollea has been far more outspoken. Though she didn’t go into specific details about what led to the family breakdown, it was clear that unresolved wounds ran deep.

Hulk Hogan was ‘heartbroken’ over his estranged relationship with daughter Brooke

Hulk Hogan was also navigating serious personal controversies that continued to shadow his public image.

In the final chapter of his life, he re-emerged in the business world by launching his own beer brand and became increasingly vocal in the political arena. He threw his support behind Donald Trump during the 2024 GOP convention and even appeared at a Madison Square Garden rally to endorse the former president. Hogan reportedly went so far as to pitch himself as a potential running mate before the role went to JD Vance.

However, his efforts to stay in the public eye were met with growing criticism, largely fueled by a resurfaced scandal from 2015. In a leaked video published by The National Enquirer, Hogan was heard making racist remarks, including repeated use of the n-word in reference to his daughter's romantic life. 

The controversy had lingering effects. As recently as this year, Hogan faced boos and public disapproval during a rare WWE appearance in Los Angeles, signaling a shift in how fans perceived the once-revered icon.

Yet even amid the scandals and slipping popularity, those closest to Hogan say his deepest pain stemmed from his estrangement from his daughter Brooke.

“It’s been a very trying few months for Terry,” a source told the Daily Mail in April, “But he isn't allowing it to get to him, and he is living his life the way he wants to live it.” Still, the source added, “He's heartbroken that he doesn't have a relationship with his daughter and would love someday to rectify that.”