In a heart-wrenching series of events that captured the attention of fans worldwide, Brooke Hogan, the daughter of the late wrestling icon Hulk Hogan, shared an emotional tribute to her father following his death on July 24, 2025. The WWE legend, born Terry Gene Bollea, passed away at 71 after suffering a cardiac arrest at his home in Clearwater, Florida. Amidst a public outpouring of grief, Brooke’s poignant words and a moving tribute performance by music legends Celine Dion and Josh Groban have left an indelible mark on fans and the entertainment world alike.

Brooke Hogan’s Emotional Tribute to Her Father

Brooke Hogan, now 37, rose to fame in the early 2000s through the reality TV series Hogan Knows Best, which showcased her life alongside her famous father, mother Linda Hogan, and brother Nick Hogan. Her relationship with her father was complex, marked by periods of closeness and estrangement. Following Hulk Hogan’s death, Brooke took to Instagram to share a deeply personal tribute, addressing their strained relationship and clarifying misconceptions about their bond.

In her post, Brooke wrote, “My dad’s blood runs through my veins. His eyes shine through my children. And our bond has never broken, not even in his final moments. We had a connection deeper than words, one that spanned lifetimes.” She emphasized that their estrangement was not the result of a single “big fight” but rather a series of private phone calls where Hulk confided in her about personal and business struggles. Brooke offered her support, urging him to rest and take care of himself, but felt a disconnect that led her to step away to protect her emotional well-being.

Among her most striking revelations was a message she attributed to her father: “Tell Mom I forgive her…” These words, reportedly among Hulk’s final sentiments, hinted at unresolved tensions between him and his ex-wife, Linda Hogan, from whom he divorced in 2009. Brooke’s tribute also addressed her own estrangement from both parents, noting that she had gone “no contact” with them for separate reasons, citing years of verbal and mental abuse. Despite the pain, she expressed love for her parents, writing, “As much as I understand and have empathy for their own struggles, I absolutely LOVE them with every fiber of my being.”

Brooke’s husband, former professional hockey player Steven Oleksy, also defended her amid the family drama, describing her as “the truest, most genuine person many have ever met.” He highlighted her efforts to support her father through his 25 surgeries, underscoring the emotional toll of their estrangement. Brooke herself clarified that she had moved to Florida to be closer to her father, only to face a shift in their relationship that led to “respectful disagreements.” Despite these challenges, she expressed gratitude for the love and tributes from fans, stating, “His life was one worth celebrating — and always will be.”

Celine Dion and Josh Groban’s Tearful Tribute

In a separate but equally emotional moment, music icons Celine Dion and Josh Groban came together to honor the late Connie Francis at her funeral in Pompano Beach, Florida. The event, described as intimate and unpublicized, took place in a chapel filled with white flowers and flickering candles. Dion and Groban, both known for their powerful voices and deep emotional resonance, performed an impromptu duet of Francis’s classic song “My Happiness,” leaving attendees in tears.

The performance was not planned or rehearsed, according to reports. As Dion began singing, her voice trembling with grief, Groban joined her, harmonizing softly in a moment described as a “prayer” and a “farewell.” The duet was a tribute to Francis, a close friend of Dion’s, and a testament to the power of music to express what words cannot. As Dion placed a kiss on a framed photo of Francis and Groban bowed his head, the room fell silent, with many attendees weeping openly. One witness remarked, “It was like Connie sang through them.”

This moment was particularly poignant given Dion and Groban’s long history of collaboration. In 1999, a then-17-year-old Groban stepped in for Andrea Bocelli to rehearse “The Prayer” with Dion at the Grammy Awards, a performance that launched his career. Dion later praised his talent, recalling how he took the microphone and sang with a power that stunned the rehearsal audience. Their shared history added depth to their tribute to Francis, making it a moment of profound connection.

Adding to their legacy of compassion, Dion and Groban also performed “The Prayer” at a televised benefit concert for victims of the 2025 Texas floods, which displaced over 100,000 residents. The duo donated $2.5 million to the Texas Disaster Relief Coalition, with their performance described as a “deeply emotional rendition” that moved millions. The funds are supporting emergency housing, clean water, food distribution, and trauma care for affected communities.

A Convergence of Grief and Healing

The convergence of Brooke Hogan’s tribute to her father and Dion and Groban’s performance at Connie Francis’s funeral underscores a universal theme: the power of love, forgiveness, and music to heal even the deepest wounds. Brooke’s words revealed a daughter grappling with loss while honoring a bond that transcended public perception. Her message of forgiveness, particularly the directive to tell her mother that her father forgave her, suggests a desire to mend familial rifts, even posthumously.

Meanwhile, Dion and Groban’s duet was a reminder of music’s ability to unite people in grief. Their performance at Francis’s funeral, unmarred by cameras or media frenzy, was a pure act of love and respect for a fellow artist. Similarly, their benefit concert performance demonstrated their commitment to using their platform for good, offering solace to those affected by natural disasters.

Public Reaction and Legacy

The public response to these events has been overwhelming. On social media platforms like X, fans expressed their heartbreak and admiration for Brooke’s vulnerability. One user, posting under the handle @_sgtdaughter, wrote, “I have no words. To Brooke and family, while we have never met, my heart breaks for you and your family. We shared our Dad’s with the public our whole lives, & now in his passing you will share your grief with the world.” Another user, @TheBubbaArmy, noted Brooke’s frustration with those who remained silent about her father’s struggles, highlighting her call for truth and support.

Celine Dion’s recent posts on X, while not directly addressing the funeral, reflected her ongoing commitment to connecting with fans through music. Sharing backstage moments from her 2017 Europe Tour and her appearance at the 2024 Olympics, Dion’s posts underscored her resilience despite her own health challenges with stiff-person syndrome. Groban, too, continues to engage with fans, promoting his album Harmony and reflecting on his career’s roots with Dion.

Hulk Hogan’s death marked the end of an era for wrestling fans, with WWE honoring him as “one of pop culture’s most recognizable figures.” Brooke’s tribute, coupled with Dion and Groban’s musical tributes, has ensured that the legacies of these iconic figures endure. For Brooke, her father’s memory lives on in her children and her heart, while Dion and Groban’s performances remind us that music can bridge divides and offer hope in the face of loss.

Conclusion

As the world mourns Hulk Hogan and Connie Francis, Brooke Hogan’s words and Celine Dion and Josh Groban’s performances serve as powerful reminders of the human capacity for forgiveness and connection. Brooke’s message to her mother, her reflections on her father’s life, and the tearful tributes by Dion and Groban have resonated with thousands, if not millions, of fans. These moments, whether shared privately in a chapel or publicly through social media, capture the essence of grief, love, and the enduring power of music and family. As Brooke wrote, “His life was one worth celebrating — and always will be.” The same can be said for the contributions of Dion and Groban, whose voices continue to uplift and heal.