As wrestling and entertainment royalty gathered for Hulk Hogan’s private funeral on Tuesday, his daughter, Brooke Hogan, was noticeably absent. She has now broken her silence on her decision, offering a deeply personal explanation for why she chose to say goodbye in her own way.
In a new, heartfelt Instagram post, Brooke explained that her father “hated the morbidity of funerals” and didn’t want one. She said that honoring him privately was the most genuine way she could pay tribute.
A Private Goodbye
Instead of attending the formal memorial service, Brooke Hogan took her husband and their twin children to the beach. She described it as the place her father loved most and a way to feel closer to him.
“Daddy, we honored you in the simplest way that agreed with my soul,” she wrote. “We took our babies to the beach, and put them in the same salty waters you loved… Every grain of sand and every wave reminded me of being your beach baby, and brought us closer to you. I pray you are at peace and know how dearly I love you.”
Her decision to grieve separately follows a similar pattern from last week. She had previously revealed that she was not invited by WWE to participate in their televised tribute shows on Raw and SmackDown.
A Star-Studded Memorial
The official funeral for Hulk Hogan took place on Tuesday, August 5th, at the Indian Rocks Baptist Church in Florida. The service drew a crowd of his closest friends and colleagues from throughout his legendary life and career.
Attendees included WWE executives Vince McMahon and Triple H. Other celebrities like Kid Rock, Theo Von, and Bam Margera were also present to pay their respects.
Brooke Hogan’s choice to honor her father separately comes after a difficult period for their family. In previous statements following his death, she revealed that she and her father had been estranged for the past two years. She described feeling a “force field” around him and being pushed away from his inner circle.
This painful estrangement has undoubtedly complicated her grieving process. Her decision to honor “Terry,” her dad, in a private, personal space, away from the public spectacle celebrating “Hulk Hogan,” the icon, is a reflection of that complex reality. Her statement is a raw, honest, and beautiful tribute from a daughter honoring her father in the way she felt was truest to their relationship.
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