Five days after Hulk Hogan died July 24 at the age of 71, the WWE legend’s ex-wife Linda Hogan—who was married to him for 26 years before their split—made her first public statement about his passing.
Linda Hogan is reflecting on her decades-long bond with Hulk Hogan.
Four days after the retired wrestling star died on July 24 at the age of 71, the late WWE legend’s ex-wife broke her silence on his passing.
“I had no idea he would pass away this soon,” Linda—who was married to Hulk for 26 years until their 2009 split—wrote July 28 in the comments section of her July 19 Instagram post, which featured a throwback pic of her and Hulk. “We all really thought he would make a come back! Big surprise. We are all devastated. It’s hitting me so hard. I loved Hulkster more than he loved me. It hurt when he cheated. But he was sooo famous. I sort of understood [sic] but it was crushing. It hurt.”
She added, “I’ve been weeping all day. The finality. It’s just shocking. We spent every minute together for so many years. I’ve known him since he was 28 yrs old! I was 22. I still love him. Even tho I never spoke or saw him, Nick did.. and Nick would tell me things and vice versa. Just news about life.”
Linda—who shared kids Brooke Hogan and Nick Hogan with the sports star—went on to note that the family rift left her feeling “broken.”
“We still were a family,” she wrote. “It’s so hard to know he’s just gone. I tried to stay strong for Nick .. but I’m me.”
“I love you Hulkster,” Linda concluded. “You were my man. The only man for me. RIP.”
And Hulk, real name Terry Bollea, was certainly on her mind in the days leading up to his passing.
On July 19, Linda posted a tribute to Hulk on Instagram, writing, “The good old days!” along with a flashback photo of her and Hulk from several decades ago.
Hulk’s death, which came two days after friend and former manager Jimmy Hart said he was “doing great,” was a shock to his family and fans.
Clearwater Police Department personnel responded to a medical emergency relating to a “cardiac arrest,” a local official confirmed to E! News.
Hulk was transferred to Mortan Plant Hospital “where he was pronounced deceased,” according to police. His managers also later confirmed his death to E! News.
“We are heartbroken,” they said in a statement. “He was such a great human being and friend.”
Following the news of Hulk’s passing, many of his industry peers shared their condolences and fond memories of the TV star on social media.
WWE champion Ric Flair wrote on Instagram July 24, “I Am Absolutely Shocked To Hear About The Passing Of My Close Friend @hulkhogan. Hulk Has Been By My Side Since We Started In The Wrestling Business. An Incredible Athlete, Talent, Friend, And Father!”
Flair further noted that when his youngest son Reid Flair was facing a health scare, Hogan—who won six WWE championships during his life—showed immense generosity.
“Our Friendship Has Meant The World To Me,” Flair continued. “He Was Always There For Me Even When I Didn’t Ask For Him To Be. He Was One Of The First To Visit Me When I Was In The Hospital With A 2% Chance Of Living, And He Prayed By My Bedside. Hulk Also Lent Me Money When Reid Was Sick. Hulkster, No One Will Ever Compare To You! Rest In Peace My Friend!”
Keep reading for a look back at Hulk’s family life through the years.
Mr. Nanny
Nick Hogan and Brooke Hogan may have, at times, publicly wrestled with their relationship with dad Hulk Hogan (with them in New York City in 1989), but there’s no dobut he was an icon in the wrestling community.
As Nick put it during a 2018 chat with TMZ, “Physically, he’s insane.”
Chip Off the Ol’ Block
Though actress and producer Brooke remained tight with her dad for years, she revealed in 2023 why she didn’t attend her father’s wedding to third wife Sky Daily, writing on Instagram, “For my own journey to healing and happiness, I have chosen to create some distance between myself and my family, and am focusing on people and things that heal my heart and align with my own personal beliefs, goals, and values.”
Father Knows Best
Following the debut of their VH1 series Hogan Knows Best, Nick, Brooke, Linda and Hulk worked the carpet at the August 2005 MTV Video Music Awards.
Facing the Music
Nick, Hulk and his then-wife Linda Hogan all turned up to watch Brook sign copies of her disc Undiscovered in October 2006.
Inside Their Reality
Amid their two-year Hogan Knows Best run, the fam stepped out for VH1’s Big in ’06 fete.
Happier Times
The family (at a June 2007 Father of the Year luncheon) began to fracture following Hulk (born Terry Gene Bollea) and Linda’s 2009 split. With Brooke welcoming twins Oliver and Molly with hockey player husband Steven Oleksy, she “doesn’t talk to us,” Linda revealed in a video shared to her Instagram Stories in March 2025. “She’s had twins. She got married, she didn’t tell us… She had a huge fight with Terry. I don’t know how that reflected onto me, but she cut me out too.”
We’re Okay, Brother
Staying largely out of his sister’s feud with their parents, Nick (at a 2010 Comedy Central Roast) is “still such a good boy,” Linda shared in her March 2025 Instagram Stories admission.
Shooting for the Sky
Following a 12-year union with Jennifer McDaniel, Hulk began dating yoga instructor Sky Daily in 2022 after they met at a Bret Michaels concert. They walked down the aisle in September 2023.
Beach Babes
Hulk made waves with his third bride Sky in a June 2023 Instagram snap. “Beach day with my Sky Baby,” wrote the Florida-based athlete, “it always seems just perfect, like she’s always been here.”
Third Time’s the Charm
Smitten with Hulk (at the Jake Paul vs Mike Perry fight in July 2024), when they met through friends, Sky has called him “the one I adore.”
Source: www.eonline.com