Hulk Hogan ‘ignored' estranged daughter Brooke's last wish that might've saved his life; strained bond took emotional toll

Indian Express

25-07-2025

WWE legend Hulk Hogan's sudden demise at 71 has sent shockwaves through the wrestling world and entertainment industry. Now, new reports claim that Hogan, already dealing with serious health problems, had been facing emotional stress over his strained relationship with his eldest daughter. Brooke, though heartbroken, is thankful she got to pour her heart out in his final days. But what's left fans devastated is the revelation of their last conversation, where the WWE star dismissed his daughter's final plea.
Also read: Hulk Hogan Death Live Updates: Jake Paul, Varun Dhawan, JD Vance, Kane, Triple H, Donald Trump mourn demise of WWE legend
Hulk and Brooke had stopped speaking since September 2023, when the 37-year-old skipped his wedding to Sky Daily. Their last conversation, though, gave Brooke a chance to tell her dad how much she loved him, just two weeks before his death. A source close to the family told PageSix, 'He was very proud of her, she was his little girl,' adding, 'We still can't believe he's gone.'
Brooke never publicly addressed what exactly caused the rift, but reports suggest Hulk genuinely believed they'd eventually patch things up. Another insider told Daily Mail, 'There was a little strain with his daughter and their relationship that had taken quite the emotional toll, but he always thought he'd be able to fix it.' From Brooke's side, she had made several attempts to mend things. Even her husband, Steven Oleksy, tried stepping in, but it never really worked. Turns out, during their final call, Brooke had urged him to slow down in his career, focus on his health, and step back from the spotlight for a while, especially with the serious illness he was battling. But the wrestling icon ignored her advice, offering only a vague apology. Still, Brooke got to say what mattered, one last 'I love you.' According to reports, she learned about his passing through her brother, Nick.
Hulk Hogan died on July 24, Thursday. As per reports, he was found dead at his Clearwater, Fla., home late that morning. Paramedics on-site ruled it as cardiac arrest. 'Unfortunately, we must confirm that Terry Bollea, aka Hulk Hogan, passed away this morning,' his rep said in a statement. 'We are heartbroken. He was such a great human being and friend.' Tributes poured in across the board—from Hollywood and politics to the wrestling ring. Everyone from President Donald Trump to VP JD Vance, The Miz, Jake Paul, and more shared their grief. His death came just days after surgery rumours started swirling, which his wife had shut down. 'His heart is strong, and there was never any lack of oxygen or brain damage. None of those rumours are true,' she said. But she did confirm, 'He's been recovering from a major four-level Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion (ACDF), which is an intense surgery with a long and layered healing process.'