Brooke Hogan Shares Emotional Tribute to Late Father Hulk Hogan

Hogan’s daughter, Brooke, on Tuesday, released an emotional and lengthy statement about her father’s passing. She shared memories from her childhood and how he now lives through her and her children.

“I will remember watching him build my Barbie dream houses, our jet ski rides, laughing till we cried when no one else got the joke, the way he gave me a love and respect for the ocean, the beach, sunsets, and the beauty God painted into this life. His hugs were my home. Wrapping my arms around his big frame always made me feel like his little girl, even as I grew up. I’ll never forget his scent. I swear when I hold my sweet Molly Gene, named after him, she smells just like him sometimes. I feel his presence in my children. He lives through me, and through them. The greatest gift a father could ever give — A love that goes on… long after we’re gone.”

Brooke Hogan Clears Up Misconceptions About Her and Hulk’s Relationship

It’s no secret that Brooke has had a strained relationship with her father and the rest of her family. For the record, it was this past March that Brooke’s mother and Hulk's ex-wife, Linda, alleged that Brooke and Hulk got “into a fight eight years ago.” In Tuesday’s statement, Brooke explained a different story — the two never had a “big fight,” but she had to take a step back only a couple of years ago due to the emotional toll and private disagreements. She also noted that she was at 25 of his surgeries, and the next thing she knew, he didn't want her there anymore. The relationship was further strained when the mother of twins had a “complicated and scary” C-section.

“We never had a ‘big fight.’ My father and I never ‘fought.’ It was a series of private phone calls no one will ever hear, know, or understand. My father was confiding in me about issues weighing on his heart, both personal and business. I offered to be a life raft in whatever capacity he needed. I told him he had my support. I begged him to rest, to take care of himself. He had nothing else to prove to the world or anyone. My husband and I moved down to Florida to be near him. He was getting older. I wanted to be there as much as possible. We had been through almost 25 surgeries together, and then all of a sudden he didn’t want me at surgeries… everything started getting covered in a thick veil. It was like there was a force field around him that I couldn’t get through. He was telling me these things, being so vulnerable with me and heard my pleas, then suddenly something shifted, and he made a choice to walk the path that clearly tore at his spirit. I felt a disconnect. What followed were respectful disagreements that took an emotional toll on me. You have to imagine, along with this, everybody inserts their opinion, never really knowing the truth or walking in our shoes. I also got pregnant with our twins shortly after, and had a very complicated and scary C-section with a hard recovery. I actually feel it was my daddy’s thick Bollea blood that kept me alive to be honest.”

Brooke ended her emotional statement by again touching on her unhappiness that Hulk had still been working, even though she wished he would slow down and let his body heal after tearing it up for decades.

“In the end, he continued to be a financial success for many. This was the last thing I wanted for him — he’s been working and tearing his body apart his entire life. I know in my heart I did everything I could. All I ever truly wanted from my father was love, honesty, and a deep connection. And for a few special years, I had that — with memories that will last a lifetime. I’m deeply grateful for the love, tributes, and memorials from his fans and friends. His life was one worth celebrating — and always will be.”

Hogan’s son, Nick, also paid tribute to his father and was in attendance at this past Monday’s episode of WWE RAW to honor his dad.