The world of professional wrestling was plunged into mourning on July 24, 2025, when Terry Gene Bollea, the legendary “Immortal” Hulk Hogan, passed away at 71 in his Clearwater, Florida, home. Known for his red and yellow bandana, thunderous leg drops, and the rallying cry of “Hulkamania,” Hogan was a titan whose influence transcended the ring. But amidst the flood of tributes from wrestling icons like Ric Flair and John Cena, one voice pierced the collective grief with a whisper that has left the internet in tears. Brooke Hogan, his estranged daughter, posted a six-word farewell on Instagram—“I love you, Dad, forever and always”—that fans are calling “the most heart-wrenching goodbye ever written.” Shared just hours after Hogan’s death from cardiac complications, Brooke’s tender tribute, paired with a nostalgic photo from their reality show days, has gone viral, encapsulating a daughter’s enduring love amid a fractured family bond.

Posted via her husband Steven Oleksy’s Instagram Stories, the six words and a candid 2006 snapshot of a young Brooke beaming beside her father struck a chord, amassing thousands of shares and comments. “Those six words hold a lifetime of pain and love,” one fan wrote on X. “It’s like she’s reaching across the years.” As the internet weeps, Brooke’s farewell unveils the raw sorrow of a daughter grappling with estrangement, regret, and unspoken forgiveness, making her tribute a poignant testament to a love that survived the chaos of fame.

Hulk Hogan: The Rise of a Wrestling Legend

To feel the weight of Brooke’s farewell, one must first understand the colossal figure that was Hulk Hogan. Born on August 11, 1953, in Augusta, Georgia, Terry Bollea grew up in Tampa, Florida, chasing dreams of music before finding his calling in wrestling. Discovered in the late 1970s, he became “Hulk Hogan” after a comparison to the Incredible Hulk. Under Vince McMahon’s WWF (now WWE), Hogan ignited the 1980s wrestling boom, headlining the inaugural WrestleMania in 1985 and toppling giants like André the Giant. His mantra—“Train, say your prayers, eat your vitamins!”—and signature moves made him a hero to millions, his charisma turning wrestling into a global phenomenon.

Hogan’s star power extended to Hollywood, with roles in films like No Holds Barred and appearances on talk shows. In the 1990s, he reinvented himself as the villainous “Hollywood” Hogan, leading the New World Order in WCW. By his 2012 retirement, he had secured 12 world championships and a WWE Hall of Fame induction. His $25 million fortune, built on wrestling royalties, endorsements, and a luxurious $11.5 million Clearwater mansion, reflected his larger-than-life status.

Yet, Hogan’s personal life was a battleground. His 1983 marriage to Linda Claridge birthed Brooke and Nick but crumbled under infidelity allegations. Their reality show Hogan Knows Best (2005-2007) showcased family life but exposed tensions. Nick’s 2007 car accident, which paralyzed his friend John Graziano, sparked legal and emotional turmoil. Hogan’s 2009 divorce from Linda cost him millions, followed by a 2012 sex tape scandal and a 2015 racist rant that led to his temporary WWE ban, straining his relationship with Brooke.

Brooke Hogan: A Star Eclipsed by Scandal

Brooke Ellen Bollea, born May 5, 1988, in Tampa, Florida, grew up in her father’s shadow. A talented gymnast and cheerleader, she graduated high school at 16 and pursued music, releasing her 2006 album Undiscovered, with its lead single “About Us” reaching No. 33 on the Billboard Hot 100. Hogan Knows Best chronicled her career aspirations, but its cancellation amid family scandals derailed her momentum. Her spinoff Brooke Knows Best (2008-2009) followed her move to Miami, highlighting her quest for independence.

Brooke briefly ventured into wrestling, appearing in WWE in 2006 and later joining Total Nonstop Action Wrestling. By 2018, she pivoted to interior design with BB Designs by Brooke, stepping away from fame. Her personal life evolved quietly: after a broken engagement to NFL player Phil Costa in 2013, she married retired NHL player Steven Oleksy in 2022. In January 2025, they welcomed fraternal twins, Oliver and Molly, a joy Brooke kept private until recently.

Her relationship with her parents was turbulent. In March 2025, Linda’s tearful Instagram video lamented their estrangement, claiming Brooke withheld news of her marriage and twins. Linda pointed fingers at Hogan, labeling him a “liar” and “sex addict.” Brooke’s response was searing, revealing she had cut contact with both parents for “completely separate reasons.” She described enduring verbal and mental abuse, hinting at physical harm, and wrote, “My heart breaks every day, but I chose to protect my peace.” Fans on platforms like Reddit rallied behind her, with one user noting, “Cutting off family is never easy. Brooke’s strength is inspiring.”

The Heart-Wrenching Farewell: Six Words That Shatter Hearts

Hogan’s death on July 24, 2025, from cardiac arrest stunned the world. Paramedics spent 30 minutes trying to revive him before he was pronounced dead at the hospital. His third wife, Sky Daily, married in September 2023, said he had been battling health issues but remained optimistic. The news broke online, with WWE hailing Hogan as a “pop culture icon.”

Brooke learned of her father’s death through a text from her brother, Nick, to Steven. Estranged from Hogan for eight years, her last conversation with him was in September 2023, two weeks before his wedding to Sky. She voiced concern for his frail health—marked by multiple back surgeries and hip replacements—begging him to rest. Hogan, defiant, brushed her off but offered a rare apology for unspecified hurts, leaving Brooke torn. “Those words gave her some closure,” a friend shared. “But the pain of what could’ve been lingers.”

Her six-word tribute—“I love you, Dad, forever and always”—posted hours after his death via Steven’s Instagram Stories, was paired with a 2006 Jingle Ball photo of Brooke and Hogan, radiant in their reality TV prime. A friend’s accompanying message praised Brooke’s loyalty, noting she “loved him deeply despite everything.” The post exploded online, with fans on X calling it “gut-wrenching.” One wrote, “Those six words carry a lifetime of love and loss.” Another said, “It’s like she’s saying goodbye to the dad she lost years ago.”

The tribute’s viral reach—shared thousands of times—reflects its emotional power. “It’s not just about Hogan,” a Reddit user posted. “It’s every child who loved a flawed parent and never got to heal.” Brooke’s private Instagram amplified the intimacy of her grief, yet its public impact shows her universal resonance. The words “forever and always” add a layer of eternal devotion, making the farewell even more poignant.

A Family Shattered: Scandals That Broke Bonds

The Hogan family’s unraveling began with Hogan Knows Best. The show, meant to elevate Brooke and Nick, exposed cracks. Hogan’s controlling streak—threatening legal action over Brooke’s music video choreography—clashed with her independence. Linda’s 2006 radio appearance admitted the show strained their marriage, which ended in 2009 amid claims of Hogan’s affair with Brooke’s friend. The divorce stripped Hogan of 70% of their liquid assets, fueling resentment.

Nick’s 2007 crash, resulting in an eight-month jail sentence and lifelong injuries for Graziano, deepened the family’s woes. Leaked jailhouse conversations from 2008, where Hogan used racial slurs about Brooke’s then-boyfriend, surfaced in 2015, leading to his WWE firing. Brooke defended him publicly, writing, “If you knew my dad, you’d know his heart.” But the scandal tanked her career, costing her music deals and public goodwill.

Hogan’s 2012 sex tape with Heather Clem, wife of his friend Bubba the Love Sponge, sparked a $100 million lawsuit, settled for $31 million. The tape’s racist remarks cemented Hogan’s fall, and Brooke’s estrangement followed. By 2023, she skipped his wedding to Sky, citing irreconcilable differences. Her March 2025 post detailed a childhood of abuse, saying, “I set boundaries they wouldn’t respect.”

Voices of Grief: The Wrestling World Reacts

Hogan’s death drew tributes from peers. Ric Flair called him “a brother,” while John Cena said, “He showed us brotherhood, but life’s unscripted.” Triple H announced a WWE tribute show, but some fans on X criticized Hogan’s legacy, citing his 2015 scandal and 2024 Republican National Convention speech. “Brooke’s tribute makes him human again,” one user wrote. “It’s about love, not politics.”

Linda’s pre-death Instagram post, captioned “The good old days,” hinted at lingering affection but also pain. Nick, who called Hogan his “best friend,” remains closer but struggles with DUIs and legal issues. Sky’s emotional post—“My heart is in pieces”—underscored Hogan’s health battles.

A Legacy of Love and Loss

Brooke’s farewell captures a universal truth: love for a parent endures despite pain. Her twins, born in January 2025, never met their grandfather, a fact Steven tried to mend by contacting Hogan, only to face rejection. “Hulk wanted control,” a source said. Yet Brooke’s “forever and always” speaks of unwavering love.

As Hogan’s $25 million estate faces probate, with Sky entitled to at least 30% under Florida law, Brooke focuses on her family. Her six words, raw and tender, mourn not just her father but the bond they lost. “It’s the most heart-wrenching goodbye ever,” a fan tweeted. “She loved him through it all.” In this whisper, Brooke Hogan has turned grief into a universal cry, reminding us that even icons leave behind deeply human stories.