On July 24, 2025, wrestling icon Hulk Hogan (real name Terry Bollea) died at age 71 after suffering a heart attack. Reports confirmed that his daughter Brooke Hogan had been excluded from his will.
Brooke, now 37, told listeners on the Bubba the Love Sponge podcast that her decision stemmed from fear. She was “scared” of the potential family conflict and legal battles that could follow her father’s passing. She recalled sobbing as she asked Hogan’s financial team to remove her name and said, “Money didn’t matter. Take me off everything. I don’t want to be a part of it.”
Motivated by Distrust and Desire for Protection
Brooke explained her concerns extended beyond just family drama. She felt uneasy about the environment surrounding her father—particularly her mother, Linda Hogan, and his third wife, Sky Daily, who has been linked in rumors to the Church of Scientology. In her words, “I didn’t want to fight Linda, I didn’t want to fight Scientology. It scared me… I want out.” Her husband, former NHL defenceman Steve Oleksy, backed her decision, stating that much of Hulk Hogan’s wealth originated from a scandal that deeply hurt Brooke’s dignity. Oleksy affirmed that Brooke prioritized her emotional wellbeing over financial inheritance.
Continuing Benefits, Despite Will Exclusion
Even though Brooke deliberately removed herself from Hogan’s will, she still stands to receive funds from a small life insurance trust, of which she is a named co‑beneficiary. She intends to earmark those funds for her twins’ college education. Her brother Nick is also named beneficiary, but Brooke emphasized she didn’t want inheritance controversies to overshadow her life with her young children.
Complex Family History and Emotional Distance
In her Instagram statement, Brooke denied media claims of a blunt confrontation, explaining that their estrangement was the outcome of “a series of private phone calls no one will ever hear.” She insisted they never had a major fight, but acknowledged that “respectful disagreements” about Hogan’s health and inner circle gradually created emotional distance. Brooke revealed she had relocated to Florida in 2023 to be closer to her father during his numerous surgeries—nearly 25 operations—only to later feel excluded from medical decisions. This sense of alienation prompted her to step away emotionally, protecting her mental health and eventual decision about the will.
Private Grief: Absence from Funeral and Public Tributes
Despite reports questioning her absence, Brooke explained she honored her father privately in a way he would have preferred. Hogan reportedly disliked funerals, and she chose to mark his passing with a quiet beach ceremony alongside her husband and infant twins. She also opted out of attending his televised WWE tribute or his formal service in Florida, sharing that WWE did not invite her. In her Instagram tribute, Brooke described their bond as deeper than words, affirming “His eyes shine through my children. And our bond has never broken, not even in his final moments”
Summary
Brooke Hogan asked to be removed from Hulk Hogan’s will in 2023, driven by distrust and fear of posthumous disputes. She will still receive funds from a life insurance trust, intended for her twins’ education. The emotional distance grew through health-related issues, disagreements, and feelings of exclusion after nearly 25 surgeries. Brooke opted for a private beach remembrance instead of attending formal services or WWE tributes, emphasizing an enduring spiritual bond
