Last Farewell to the Wrestling Icon: Hulk Hogan
Largo, Florida – The community gathered to say goodbye to a legend. Dozens of people attended the funeral service on Tuesday night for Hulk Hogan, the iconic wrestler who passed away last month at the age of 71. The private ceremony was held in the same church where Hogan, whose real name was Terry Bollea, was baptized in 2023. Hogan’s death occurred after suffering a heart attack on July 24 at his Clearwater residence, according to the Pinellas County medical examiner. The coroner’s report revealed that Hogan had previously suffered from leukemia and atrial fibrillation, an irregular heart rhythm. The cause of his death was determined to be natural. The church’s security and Largo police officers, including K-9 dogs, reinforced security during the service. Anyone not on the guest list was turned away near signs indicating “Private Event”.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”. Hulk Hogan was possibly the biggest star in the extensive history of WWE, 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 André the Giant and Randy Savage, up to The Rock and even the co-founder of WWE, 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 body will be cremated. His daughter Brooke Bollea Oleksy, better known by her stage name Brooke Hogan, honored her father’s memory in a recent social media post.I am very grateful to have known the true version of him. Not just the one the world saw through a carefully selected lens.
Brooke Bollea Oleksy
