Hulk Hogan’s son paid an emotional tribute to his late father on the anniversary of the wrestling legend’s death.
Former WWE star Hulk – born Terry Gene Bollea – died at 71 one year ago on July 24, 2025, after suffering cardiac arrest at his mansion in Clearwater, Florida, leaving the wrestling world grieving.
One year on, his son, Nick, commemorated the anniversary of the death of his ‘best friend, mentor and most importantly, father.’
Nick reflected on the ‘very difficult year,’ admitting that ‘not a single day goes by that I don’t wish I could have him back’ for one more hug, laugh or conversation.
‘With the pain that comes with feeling this deep of loss, my perspective has changed,’ wrote in an Instagram post on Friday.
‘Legacy is not just the memories you leave behind or the things that you accomplish in your lifetime. It’s also what you inspire others to do and how you affect everyone who comes into your life.
Hulk Hogan’s son paid an emotional tribute to his late father on the anniversary of his death
The wrestling legend died at the age of 71 from cardiac arrest on July 24, 2025
‘I can say that my father was the best at that and his legacy is unrivaled.’
He continued: ‘The lives he touched and inspiration he gave the world reaches far beyond any one moment in time. It was his life’s work and he continues to inspire me to make each day intentional. To become the best version of myself and a man that I know he would be proud of.
‘My father is not just the greatest wrestler of all time but also, the best dad a guy could have ever had. I am so grateful and blessed to have had him as my dad and to have the honor of being his son. I will always cherish the memories, lessons and values that he gave me and start each day with the purpose and intention to use them to the best of my ability.’
‘I will love and miss him every single day of my life and carry him with me in my heart until I see him again,’ he concluded.
The Clearwater Police Department officially closed its investigation into Hulk’s death in June, releasing a comprehensive 72-page report that details the definitive timeline inside his Florida estate.
According to the files, Hogan – born Terry Gene Bollea – had been quietly fighting private health battles against both chronic lymphocytic leukemia and atrial fibrillation, a serious heart rhythm condition, neither of which had been publicly disclosed.
On the morning of his passing, caregivers noted that the larger-than-life superstar was ‘a little mumbly’ but managed to get out of bed, speak with staff, and eat a breakfast of yogurt and fresh berries.
The situation deteriorated rapidly shortly after breakfast when his occupational therapist, Justin McCamey, went to check the multi-time world champion’s vitals and realized he had completely stopped breathing.
Nick commemorated the anniversary his ‘best friend, mentor and most importantly, father’
He shared a touching social media post on Instagram with a series of photos of his father
First responders rushed to the Clearwater residence following a frantic cardiac arrest dispatch call, but the standard lifesaving measures were ultimately unsuccessful and Hogan was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital.
‘He is in rough shape,’ McCamey told a responding officer at the scene immediately following the medical emergency. ‘We knew this was gonna be happening.’
After a thorough review of internal home surveillance footage, medical histories and extensive interviews with his dedicated care team, detectives officially ruled the tragedy an attended natural death caused by a heart attack.
The finality of the police report brings a somber sense of closure to millions of fans worldwide who grew up worshiping ‘Hulkamania,’ the pop culture craze that transformed pro wrestling into a mainstream global phenomenon.
Brooke Hogan, Hulk’s daughter, shared an estranged relationship with her father before his death.
Earlier this year, sheissued a furious response to ‘trolls’ who criticized her for posting a tribute to her late father while posing in a bikini.
Brooke took to Instagram to share a series of photos of her dad, in light of his tragic death. However, a number of users took aim at Brooke for starting the post with a picture of herself laying face down on the beach in a bikini.
The WWE star collapsed at his Florida home before being pronounced dead at the hospital
Recently, at the end of May, Hogan’s estranged daughter Brooke issued a furious response to ‘trolls’ who criticized her for posting a tribute to her late father while posing in a bikini
In light of the reaction, Brooke fired back at her critics in another post on Instagram, which starts with edited snaps of her body looking less flattering on the beach.
‘Would my post have been more sincere if THIS girl were at the beach mourning her dad?’ she asked.
Brooke also added: ‘I took one photo over my shoulder quickly… and proceeded to google why I’m so emotionally fatigued immediately after… And then I spent an hour looking at and saving pictures of my dad.’
Her apparent intention in including the photo was to reference the ocean, where she and wrestling legend Hogan spent much of their time together as she grew up along Florida’s gulf coast.
