Last Farewell to the Wrestling Icon: Hulk Hogan
Largo, Florida – Dozens of people gathered Tuesday night for the funeral service of legendary wrestler Hulk Hogan, who passed away last month at the age of 71.
The private ceremony took place in the same church where Hogan, whose real name was Terry Bollea, was baptized in 2023.
The death occurred after suffering a heart attack on July 24 at his residence in Clearwater, according to the Pinellas County medical examiner.
The coroner’s report indicated that Hogan had previously suffered from leukemia and atrial fibrillation, an irregular heart rhythm. The death was declared natural.
The security of the church and Largo police officers, including K-9 dogs, reinforced surveillance during the service. Those not on the guest list were denied access, guided by signs indicating “Private Event”.
Governor Ron DeSantis ordered flags to be flown at half-staff at all official buildings last Friday, a day he declared “Hulk Hogan Day in Florida”.
Hogan was possibly the biggest star in WWE’s extensive history, recognized both for his overflowing personality and his achievements in the ring. He was the main attraction of the first WrestleMania in 1985 and a constant figure for years, facing legends like Andre The Giant and Randy Savage, to The Rock and even WWE co-founder Vince McMahon.
Hogan was also a celebrity outside the world of wrestling, participating in numerous films and television shows, including “Hogan Knows Best”, a reality show about his life on VH1.
Hogan’s remains will be cremated.
His daughter Brooke Bollea Oleksy, better known as Brooke Hogan, honored her father’s memory in a recent social media post.
“I am so grateful to have met the true version of him. Not just the one the world saw through a carefully selected lens,” she wrote.
