Wrestling Legend Hulk Hogan Honored in Private Florida Funeral
The wrestling world paused this week as family, friends, and a handful of close companions gathered in Clearwater, Florida, to bid farewell to one of the sport’s most legendary figures. Hulk Hogan, born Terry Gene Bollea, was laid to rest on August 5, just under two weeks after his passing from a heart attack at the age of 71.
The private funeral was held at Sylvan Abbey Memorial Park & Funeral Home in Clearwater, the same coastal city where Hogan had spent his final years with his wife, Sky Daily. Guests arrived discreetly, many dressed in traditional black with subtle orange boutonnieres, a detail believed to reflect either Hogan’s bold personality or perhaps a personal touch requested by his family. The tone was somber yet reverent, as pallbearers carried the casket into the funeral home to begin a farewell that few outside the inner circle would witness.
Despite the ceremony’s intimate nature, a few recognizable faces made the trip to Florida to honor the wrestling icon. Former WWE executive and multiple-time champion Triple H, along with former WWE co-CEO Stephanie McMahon, were seen arriving via private plane. Also spotted was musician Kid Rock, a longtime friend of Hogan, and comedian Theo Von, whose recent interviews with wrestling personalities had connected him to the wrestling community. Their presence highlighted the far-reaching impact Hogan had not just in wrestling, but across the entertainment industry.
Hogan’s death on July 24 sent shockwaves through fans and peers alike. Although he had remained active on social media and occasionally made appearances, medical records later revealed underlying health concerns that had not been publicly disclosed. Among them were a diagnosis of leukemia and atrial fibrillation, a heart rhythm disorder. The official cause of death was acute myocardial infarction.
Sources close to the family confirmed that Hogan would be cremated, in accordance with arrangements made prior to his death. It remains unclear how many members of his immediate family were present at the funeral, as the Bollea family has largely remained silent in public.
Sky Daily, his third wife, was reportedly home with him at the time of his death. Hogan had previously been married to Linda Hogan, with whom he shares two children, Nick and Brooke. He also shared a marriage of nearly eleven years with Jennifer McDaniel. While Nick was seen attending WWE’s SummerSlam on August 2, where a tribute to his father was aired, Brooke’s status remained more distant. The singer and reality television personality had been estranged from Hogan for over two years.
On July 29, Brooke took to Instagram to express her grief, posting a heartfelt message that detailed her spiritual connection to her late father. In her post, she described sensing his passing before hearing the news, and wrote of his long-held belief in the afterlife, saying that he spoke of meeting God as if it were the greatest championship of all.
As tributes continue to pour in from fans around the world, the legacy of Hulk Hogan lives on. Whether inside the wrestling ring or beyond, his larger-than-life persona, unmistakable voice, and impact on pop culture cement him as a figure who will never be forgotten.