**Hulk Hogan Reflects on Life, Challenges, and Controversies in Final Interview**
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Wrestling icon Hulk Hogan candidly opened up about his life and career in an intimate documentary series, just months before his untimely death in July 2025. Titled *Hulk Hogan: Real American*, the four-part series on Netflix offers a rare glimpse into the personal struggles and controversies that marked the life of the WWE legend, who passed away at the age of 71.
In this final interview, Hogan, whose real name is Terry Bollea, shares insights into his deteriorating health, his complex relationship with his ex-wife Linda Hogan, and the controversies that have plagued him throughout his career. The docuseries features interviews with those close to him, including Linda, his widow Sky Daily Hogan, and their son Nick, providing a broader context to Hogan’s reflections.
Throughout the series, Hogan’s physical decline is evident. He speaks candidly about his struggles with mobility, describing his home workouts with Nick as attempts to stay active despite significant limitations. “It’s a pain in the butt,” he admits, expressing his embarrassment over requiring help to open water bottles—strikingly different from the symbol of strength he once embodied.
In a stark revelation about his past struggles, Hogan recalls a dark period in 2009 following his divorce from Linda. He describes using vast amounts of fentanyl to cope with the physical and emotional pain. He stated, “My body just had enough,” recalling the staggering doses he was prescribed post-divorce, alongside excessive alcohol use. This period, he explains, drove him into a deep depression, leading him to contemplate taking his own life.
The impact of his personal life was compounded by Linda’s new relationship with a younger man soon after their split. Hogan reflects on how their relationship felt like a betrayal—“It was thrown in my face big time,” he lamented. Linda revealed her perspective on their relationship, admitting that she didn’t initially realise the age difference. Her intent, she confesses, was to show Hogan the pain of their divorce.
Among the many controversies addressed, Hogan’s admission regarding his past use of steroids stands out. He recalls denying steroid use during a 1994 interview on *The Arsenio Hall Show*, an assertion he later retracted in court. “Of course I lied,” he admitted, framing the use of steroids as a misguided choice of his youth. He reflects on regrets tied to the way the issue has affected his career, including the fallout after a leaked audio in 2015, where he made derogatory comments. Hogan acknowledges the long-lasting repercussions of those words on his legacy and career.
Hogan exhibited a vulnerable side while discussing the tragic overdose death of his brother Alan in 1986. Emotionally impacted by their fraught relationship, he struggled to articulate the loss, asking for a moment to collect himself. “It was a hard one to get over,” he stated, illustrating the toll that family tragedy has taken on him over the years.
As the documentary progresses, Hogan touches on his controversial political engagements, particularly a public endorsement of former US President Donald Trump. Following that endorsement, he and his wife faced death threats, prompting discussions about the potential repercussions of blending his public persona with political views. “Coming forward for Trump as an entertainer, you divide your audience,” Sky noted, while Hogan expressed a desire to remain authentic to himself amidst the backlash.
Despite grappling with external pressures and health challenges, Hogan maintains an indomitable spirit, asserting confidence in his ability to connect with fans, even when faced with criticism. His former manager observes, however, that beneath Hogan’s bravado, he felt the sting of disapproval from audiences.
*Hulk Hogan: Real American* ultimately serves as a poignant window into the life of a wrestling icon who embodied both heroism and controversy. The series captures the complexities of Hogan’s identity—how the legendary persona of “Hulk Hogan” and the real Terry Bollea intertwine amid struggles with health, personal relationships, and public perception.
As viewers reflect on Hogan’s legacy, the documentary invites a deeper understanding of the man behind the iconic persona, offering a nuanced perspective on the challenges faced by those in the limelight. The series is now available for streaming on Netflix, providing a fitting tribute to a complicated yet significant figure in wrestling history.