Linda Hogan has publicly expressed her grief following the tragic passing of her ex-husband, Hulk Hogan, on Thursday. In a heartfelt response to an Instagram post she originally shared on July 19, where she fondly reminisced about the “good old days,” Linda revealed her deep sorrow on Monday, stating, “It’s so hard to know he’s just gone.”
In her emotional tribute, Linda, 65, reflected on the suddenness of Hulk’s death, saying, “I had no idea he would pass away this soon.” She further expressed her shock, noting, “We all really thought he would make a comeback! Big surprise. We are all devastated. It’s hitting me so hard.” The loss has left her heartbroken, as she recalled, “I loved Hulkster more than he loved me. It hurt when he cheated. But he was sooo famous. I sort of understood, but it was crushing. It hurt.”
Linda continued, “I never got over him or started a real relationship with anyone. I missed HIM!” Her emotional turmoil was evident as she shared, “I’ve been weeping all day. The finality. It’s just shocking. We spent every minute together for so many years. I’ve known him since he was 28 years old! I was 22. I still love him.”
Despite their separation, Linda emphasized the bond that remained between them, stating, “Even though I never spoke or saw him, Nick did... and Nick would tell me things and vice versa. Just news about life. I still felt... although broken... we still were a family.” In her poignant farewell, she declared, “It’s so hard to know he’s just gone. I tried to stay strong for Nick... but I’m melting down now. It’s very sad. I love you, Hulkster. You were my man. The only man for me. RIP.”
Hulk Hogan, whose real name was Terry Bollea, was married to Linda from 1983 until their divorce in 2009. They shared two children, daughter Brooke, 37, and son Nick, 34. Hogan, 71, was transported by ambulance from his home in Clearwater, Florida, early Thursday morning, following a 911 call citing “cardiac arrest,” as reported by TMZ. Tragically, he was pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital.
In the years leading up to his death, Linda and Hulk had publicly feuded, with Linda criticizing Hulk, calling him a liar and describing their family dynamic as chaotic. Just days before his passing, Linda shared a nostalgic photo of their happier times, captioned, “The Good old days!”
As of now, an autopsy report for Hulk Hogan is pending, but Clearwater Police Maj. Nate Burnside has stated that there were “no signs of foul play or suspicious activity.” Hogan’s current wife, Sky Daily, described his death as “sudden” in an emotional Instagram message on Friday. She shared, “I wasn’t ready for this… and my heart is in pieces. He had been dealing with some health issues, but I truly believed we would overcome them. I had so much faith in his strength. I thought we still had more time.”
Sky poignantly noted, “This loss is sudden and impossible to process. To the world, he was a legend... but to me, he was my Terry. The man I loved. My partner. My heart.” She also mentioned that Hogan cherished his fans and enjoyed connecting with them despite his “growing physical discomfort.”
In the weeks leading up to his death, there were swirling rumors regarding Hogan’s declining health. Since mid-June, Bubba the Love Sponge, a Tampa-based radio host and Hogan’s former best friend, claimed that the WWE Hall of Famer was in the ICU and on his deathbed. However, both a representative for Hogan and his wife, as well as WWE Hall of Famer Eric Bischoff, denied these claims. Despite these denials, fans continued to speculate about Hogan’s health.
On July 11, Sky Daily refuted rumors that Hogan was in a coma or suffering from brain damage, asserting that “his heart is strong” and that he was recovering from recent neck surgery he underwent in May. Hogan had previously been married to his second wife, Jennifer McDaniel, from 2010 until their divorce in 2022.
