Hulk Hogan’s wife, Sky Daily, has spoken out after the wrestling legend’s death at 71 years old.
“I wasn’t ready for this… and my heart is in pieces,” Daily, 46, began on Friday, July 25. “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. 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.”
Daily noted that Hogan had still been putting his best foot forward. “Hulk loved his fans so much and despite his growing physical discomfort, he did everything he could to show up, sign autographs, take photos, and connect with the people who supported him through it all. You meant everything to him,” she wrote.
She concluded: “He was a believer in Christ, and I take comfort knowing his soul is at peace and he’s been welcomed home. Please keep his family and all of us who loved him in your prayers as we try to navigate this new reality.
Hogan’s family confirmed his death to Us Weekly on Thursday, July 24. He suffered cardiac arrest at his home in Clearwater, Florida.
Hogan is survived by Daily and his kids Brooke Hogan and Nick Hogan, whom he shares with ex-wife Linda Hogan. The two were married from 1983 to 2009. He was also previously married to Jennifer McDaniel from 2010 to 2021.
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Us exclusively revealed in June that Hogan had been recovering from a major operation on his heart. “Hulk had pretty serious heart surgery a few weeks ago and was doing well afterward,” a source shared. On Thursday, an insider reiterated that he had been doing OK with his recovery. “His friends are shocked. He had been calling and texting as normal.”
Prior to Hogan’s death, the family had been entangled in drama, with another source telling Us in March that Brooke, 37, was not on speaking terms with her parents.
“Terry not speaking to Brooke is [a] much more recent thing,” the insider said, claiming that Hogan told people “he doesn’t specifically know why Brooke won’t speak to him.”
The source said that “a lot of damage was done” during Hogan and Linda’s divorce.
However, the insider added, “Terry has for sure tried to be a good dad.”
Hogan was born in Augusta, Georgia, in August 1953, and was raised in Port Tampa, Florida. He began watching wrestling as a teen and went on to make his professional debut in August 1977.
Hogan gained the “Hulk” nickname when he appeared on a talk show with Incredible Hulk star Lou Ferrigno, who was shorter than the 6-foot-7 wrestler. He later adopted the “Hogan” name after he joined the World Wrestling Federation (WWF), which ultimately became the WWE, as WWF owner Vince McMahon Sr. said he should use an Irish surname.
Hogan won the WWF heavyweight title in 1984, launching the “Hulkmania” craze. He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame twice.
Hogan also pursued an acting career, with roles in films like Rocky III, No Holds Barred and Mr. Nanny. His family even had a VH1 reality show called Hogan Knows Best, which aired for four seasons from 2005 to 2007.
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In a 2023 interview with Men’s Health, Hogan opened up about having 25 surgeries on his body in the last decade as a result of his body “shutting down” on him. He ultimately changed his lifestyle, increased his exercise and improved his diet, which led to a transformation at nearly 70 years old.
“I didn’t think this kind of transformation was possible at this stage in my life. I’m 69 years old, but I feel like I’m 39. And it’s not just the physical effects — it’s the mindset I have now. I always used to be the ‘no’ guy. ‘Let’s go to the beach.’ No. ‘Let’s go to a restaurant.’ No. ‘Let’s go to the mall.’ No. I just didn’t want to do anything,” he said. “I was so not at peace with myself that I ended up living like a hermit, and now I’m a completely different person. My kids have moved back to Florida now, and I’m full of energy. I want to go to the beach, take the boat out, hang out with everyone. My whole lifestyle has changed.”
