Hulk Hogan's heartbreaking estrangement from daughter Brooke as pair didn't speak for 8 years before his death

The Sun

2 days ago

HULK Hogan had been estranged from his daughter, Brooke, for eight years at the time of his tragic death.
Hulk, who was born Terry Gene Bollea, died at age 71.
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The WWE legend reportedly suffered from cardiac arrest in his Clearwater, Florida home on Thursday morning.
Just months before the icon's sad death, his daughter, Brooke, 37, revealed she no longer speaks to her father and mother, Linda.
On March 26, Linda said in an emotional Instagram story that Brooke cut ties with her eight years ago.
She explained the estrangement was caused by her ex-husband Hulk.
But Brooke hit back at her mother's comments, as she revealed more behind the long-standing family feud.
She said in a series of screen grabs, "I try very hard to ignore issues surrounding my family, in hopes I might have peace in my life. Sadly, I've intentionally made myself smaller in my professional career in music and TV; simply to dodge the public negativity surrounding my family that has continuously and relentlessly overshadowed anything I do.
"There was a recent video posted by my Mother that was concerning enough for people to send to me, that has made me feel the need to address the tip of a very large iceberg that is my immediate family. What little I am addressing does not even scratch the surface of what I've dealt with my entire life.
"I have completely separate reasons for going no contact with each of my parents. No contact with my Mom has nothing to do with my Dad, and no contact with my Father has nothing to do with my Mother.
Hulk Hogan dead at 71 after 'suffering cardiac arrest at Florida home'
She went on to explain that experiences in her childhood "robbed" her of "self esteem" and "confidence."
"It took me many years to figure out the things that were seemingly done 'for me' really benefited someone else in a greater capacity."
She claimed to have received texts from family members with "unbelievably hurtful words" that "cannot be forgiven."
Brooke alleged she had been asked to defend poor behavior in public, only to find out she was "misinformed" and "lied to."
"I've watched others benefit financially off my suffering and embarrassment caused by their selfish behavior," she claimed.
Brooke went on to allege she was "expected to" and "did forgive blows" to her "career and personal life."
She continued to claim, "My family is very skilled at war. I so badly wanted to see good in them, protect, help, and start anew—just to be disrespected again and again. I longed for a normal family, but it never came to fruition.
"I've repeatedly held my hand out to help them, only to have them pull me into the darkness with them. I've set boundaries that were not respected, and at this point, I can truly do no more.
"Each individual, on their own, has given me more than enough reasons over the years to make this extremely hard and painful decision to end contact.
"As much as I not only understand and have empathy for their own struggles, I absolutely LOVE them with every fiber of my being—which deep down I think they know. My heart hurts every day, and not a day passes it does not affect me. Inside of me, there is a little girl who desperately wants and needs her Mom and Dad.
"No one wants this, to feel so much pain and not have parents. But their behavior became more painful than their absence.
"I hope one day they realize, appreciate, and respect why I've chosen to remain as quiet as possible. Not exposing specific names, and details of certain experiences to still try to protect them."
Brooke shares twins Oliver and Molly, who she welcomed in January, with her husband Steve Olesky.
At the time of publication, she had not commented on her father's death.
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MESSY DIVORCE
The family starred on VH1's Hogan Knows Best for four seasons from 2005 to 2007.
The series followed Hulk, Linda, Brooke and Nick, as the show documented their lives and family dynamics.
Hulk and Linda split in 2007 after 26 years of marriage and two children together.
Their divorce was contentious, as she cited "infidelity" for their split.
She accused him of cheating with one of Brooke's close friends, which the pal admitted in an interview with The National Enquirer.
Hulk denied the affair.
The couple fought over their assets and share over his company.
The divorce was settled in 2009 and Linda was awarded over 70 percent of their liquid assets and 40 percent ownership of his companies.
She also received a $3 million property settlement from her ex-husband.
SAD DEATH
Hulk died after police and emergency medical personnel were called to his home in Clearwater, Florida, at 9:51 am on Thursday.
Clearwater Police told The U.S. Sun that first responders responded to Hogan's home after receiving a call about a cardiac arrest.
Hogan was transported to Morton Plant Hospital, according to a police report, and was pronounced dead at the hospital.
Hulk's had been suffering from health issues in the weeks leading up to his death, including rumors that he was on his "deathbed" and in a coma.
However, Hogan's wife, Sky, denied the reports, stating his heart was "strong" and he was recovering from a neck procedure.
Jimmy Hart, Hogan's former longtime manager, updated fans on The Hulkster's health, saying in an X post that he was "doing phenomenal."
"Hulk is doing great, doing phenomenal! Last night at karaoke with Nick was absolutely fantastic, baby!!!" Hart wrote.
The WWE confirmed Hogan's death in a statement, "WWE is saddened to learn WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan has passed away.
"One of pop culture's most recognizable figures, Hogan helped WWE achieve global recognition in the 1980s.
"WWE extends its condolences to Hogan's family, friends, and fans."
Police statement on Hulk Hogan's death
Clearwater Fire Department and Clearwater Police Department personnel responded to a medical call at 9:51 a.m. today in the 1000 block of Eldorado Avenue on Clearwater Beach. The nature of the call was for a cardiac arrest. A 71-year-old resident, Terry Bollea, also known as Hulk Hogan, was treated by Clearwater Fire & Rescue crews before being taken by Sunstar to Morton Plant Hospital, where he was pronounced deceased.
A media briefing will be at 1:30 p.m. at Clearwater Police Department headquarters, 645 Pierce St. Some parking is available east of the building; additional parking is in the old fire station parking lot just west of police headquarters.
The briefing is being held at the police department in an attempt to protect the privacy of the family. Any media compelled to respond to the scene should park in the rear of the Carlouel Yacht Club, 1091 Eldorado Ave. The staging area is located at Eldorado and Bay Esplanade.
GOODBYE BROTHER
Hulk was a wrestling icon in the 1980s while part of Vince McMahon 's WWE, then the World Wrestling Federation.
Hulk's ring walk captivated millions of wrestling fans, sending crowds roaring every time his iconic Real American theme song blared throughout the arena.
The arena exploded when he would tear his bright yellow shirt off - his signature pre-match act that was replicated by his Hulkamania fanbase for decades.
Hulk also dabbled in entertainment, as he appeared on reality TV, TV commercials, and movies, including Rocky III starring Sylvester Stallone.
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