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WWE legend Hulk Hogan was laid to rest on August 5 in Clearwater, Florida, just 12 days after his sudden passing from a heart attack at the age of 71. The private funeral drew a crowd of notable names, including Kid Rock, Triple H, Stephanie McMahon, but one face was notably absent was his daughter, Brooke Hogan.
Now, Brooke is opening up about why she chose not to attend. Her reason is deeply personal, surprisingly peaceful, and honestly, something a lot of people might quietly relate to.
© Getty ImagesThe Private Goodbye
Brooke, 37, broke her silence on Instagram later that day. Instead of joining the mourners at Sylvan Abbey Memorial Park, she spent the day on the beach with her husband, Steven Oleksy, and their newborn twins, Oliver and Molly, born in January this year.
In a heartfelt caption paired with photos of her family by the ocean, Brooke wrote, "My father hated the morbidity of funerals. He didn't want one." She acknowledged the events and tributes that had taken place in honor of her father, whose real name was Terry Gene Bollea, but made it clear that she needed to grieve in her way.
© Getty Images"As his daughter, I had to make my own decision to honor him the best and most genuine way I knew how...privately...the way that made me feel the closest to him," she wrote. "The only thing missing today was him in his pop up lawn chair watching the waves… and the sunset."
A Bittersweet Tribute
Brooke's choice feels almost radical in its simplicity. She shared that little Molly seemed to love the water, just like Hulk had always called her, his "little fish."
"Every grain of sand and every wave reminded me of being your beach baby… I pray you are at peace and know how dearly I love you." Her emotional post continued with a message of love and memory, ending with, "Rest in heaven, Daddy."
Brooke's tribute came hours after she made a surprise appearance on the Bubba the Love Sponge Show, where she raised eyebrows by questioning why no autopsy had been performed before her father was cremated. "Yes, you can have a heart attack, but what was the reason for the heart attack is the question," she said.
According to her, Hulk had been doing breathing exercises and seemed recovering from a recent heart surgery. "That means the surgery on his heart was a success, and it was working," she argued. Medical records later revealed that Hulk had atrial fibrillation, an irregular heartbeat, and had previously been diagnosed with leukemia. Brooke recalled how, during his earlier health scares, she used to pray, "Dear God, please don't let this be the day my dad dies."
© Getty ImagesGrieving on Her Terms
Brooke's absence from the funeral wasn't a last-minute decision. Reports indicate that she and her father had not been in contact for two years. And yet, it's clear from her posts that she still loved him deeply. She's not shying away from grief; she's just doing it her way.
She posted a throwback photo of her and her dad on her Instagram Stories, captioning it, "We will be celebrating your life and all our good memories while we have our feet in the same saltwater you loved. Until we meet again, Daddy."
Hulk Hogan and Brooke Hogan’s complicated relationship
Brooke, 37, didn't attend his September 2023 wedding to his third wife, Sky Daily. She wasn't present during some of his final surgeries, and she'd made the shocking decision to remove herself from his will. "My dad's blood runs through my veins," she wrote in a raw Instagram tribute. "Our blood has never broken, not even in his final moments."
Brooke Hogan was raised amidst the hectic glare of the 2000s, with VH1's "Hogan Knows Best" making her family into reality TV celebrities. Although the cameras captured much family drama, what was most notable was the close bond between Brooke and her father. As his eldest child, she inherited not only his prominent features but also his strong loyalty. During her parents' divorce and various controversies, Brooke remained loyal to her father, even defending him publicly during challenging times.
© WireImageIn 2023, Brooke reportedly expressed concerns to her father about the people around him. They disagreed, and she later contacted his financial team to ask for her removal from the will, aiming to prevent conflict after his passing. However, this decision did not diminish their emotional bond.
