Brooke Hogan has addressed criticism after skipping WWE’s televised tributes to her late father, wrestling legend Hulk Hogan. The singer and reality star, who had been estranged from her father for two years, shared an emotional post on Instagram explaining her absence.
As reported by People, WWE honored Hulk Hogan—who died on July 24 at age 71—during Friday Night SmackDown and Monday Night RAW. While her brother Nick Hogan was present, Brooke Hogan was not. She clarified that WWE “did not extend an invite” and shared the personal reasons behind her choice to stay away.
Brooke Hogan Shares Pain Behind Her Decision
In her post, Brooke Hogan explained that her estrangement from her father wasn’t caused by a single event. Instead, it was a series of private, emotional conversations. Hulk had confided in her about deeply personal and business struggles. She offered her support and urged him to rest and take care of himself.
Despite her efforts, Brooke said something eventually shifted in their relationship. She chose to step away to “protect her heart.” In her words, “He made a choice to walk the path that clearly tore at his spirit.” She added that she knows she did everything she could and that her father knew how deeply she loved him.
A Personal Goodbye Amid Public Mourning
The death of Hulk Hogan triggered emotional responses from loved ones. Brooke’s mother, Linda Hogan, said she had been “weeping all day” and “melting down” since his passing. But Brooke Hogan chose a quieter farewell. Her heartfelt message offered a glimpse into her grief and the emotional distance she had to maintain.
She closed her post with peace, writing, “He knows how deeply, how hard, and how purely I loved him.” While fans looked to public ceremonies for closure, Brooke Hogan found hers in a personal and private way—on her own terms.