Massive Farewell for Hulk Hogan
Largo, Florida – Dozens of people gathered Tuesday night for the funeral 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 revealed that Hogan had suffered from leukemia and atrial fibrillation, an irregular heart rhythm. The death was declared natural.
The church’s security and Largo police officers, including K-9 dogs, intensely patrolled the service. Anyone not on the guest list was turned away near signs indicating “Private Event”.
Former President Donald Trump shared a photo on his Truth Social platform where he appears competing in arm wrestling with Hogan, and commented: “Today is the funeral of the ‘Hulkster’, and I thought everyone would like to see this photo.”
Governor Ron DeSantis ordered flags to fly at half-staff at all official buildings last Friday, a day he declared “Hulk Hogan Day in Florida”.
Hogan was perhaps the biggest star in the long history of WWE, recognized both for his overwhelming 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 figures like André 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, appearing in numerous films and television shows, including “Hogan Knows Best”, a reality show about his life on VH1.
Hogan’s body will be cremated.
His daughter Brooke Bollea Oleksy, better known by her stage name Brooke Hogan, paid tribute to her father in a recent social media post.
“I am very grateful to have met the real version of him. Not just the one the world saw through a carefully selected lens,” she wrote.
