### Brooke Hogan Reflects on Grief Following Father’s Passing
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Brooke Hogan has recently taken to social media to express her feelings of loss following the death of her father, the legendary wrestler Hulk Hogan. In a heartfelt Instagram post shared on May 20, she revealed her decision to visit the beach, a cherished spot for her late father, as a means to process her grief. Hulk Hogan, whose real name is Terry Bollea, passed away last July at the age of 71.

In her emotional tribute, the 38-year-old reality TV star posted a photograph of herself relaxing on the sand in a bikini, with the ocean stretching out behind her. She followed this with various images of her father showcasing moments from their time together, including his joyful smile while steering a boat and grilling steaks.
“Needed some time with my thoughts, my daddy, and the ocean he loved so much,” Brooke wrote in her post. As the waves lapped at the shore, she poignantly described how each one reminded her of memories that felt vivid and close. “Every wave hit my heart like a memory that felt like it was yesterday. The waves carried the bass in his voice, the salt water felt like his hugs,” she shared, illustrating the deep connection she felt with both her father and the sea.
Brooke continued to ruminate on their shared experiences, reminiscing about days spent on the water. “The smell of the ocean smelled like so many days on the boat we spent together,” she recounted. Citing her father’s nurturing role, she likened their adventures to fairy tales: “I remember him whisking me across the surf like King Triton holding his Little Mermaid.” Her imagery highlighted the profound bond they shared, reflecting her longing to be near him once more.
Concluding her emotional update, Brooke acknowledged the tears she shed that day, expressing the complexity of her emotions in the wake of her father’s death. While they shared a strong connection in her early years, their relationship had become strained prior to his passing, a fact that adds layers to her grief.
The reality television star had initially pursued similar paths to her father, appearing in the family’s VH1 reality show “Hogan Knows Best,” before launching her own series, “Brooke Knows Best.” Despite their shared past, there were moments of estrangement, including the missed opportunity for Hulk to meet his grandchildren – Brooke’s twin babies, Oliver and Molly, born in January 2025.
Following her father’s death, Brooke took a moment to reflect on her feelings in a touching tribute made just five days later. In her post, she expressed that she knew he was now at peace, resting free of pain and surrounded by beauty. On August 5, she shared her rationale for not attending Hulk’s funeral, highlighting their shared sentiments about such events.
“My father hated the morbidity of funerals. He didn’t want one,” she stated, expressing her gratitude for those who organised memorial events in his honour. Brooke revealed her preference for a more private way to pay tribute to her father, emphasising her need to remember him on her own terms.
On the day spent at the beach, she was accompanied by her husband, Steven Oleksy, and their twins. Here, she sought to honour Hulk in a way she believed was most genuine, surrounded by family in a setting filled with fond memories. “Every grain of sand and every wave reminded me of being your beach baby, and brought us closer to you,” she wrote, ending her tribute with a heartfelt message of love and remembrance.
As Brooke Hogan continues her journey through grief, her poignant reflections serve as a reminder of the enduring bond between parent and child, even amidst the complexities of their relationship. Her tribute not only pays homage to her father’s legacy but also shines a light on the universal experience of loss and the different ways in which individuals navigate their grief.
