Sky Daily, the wife of wrestling icon Hulk Hogan, shared her profound grief on Friday, July 25. Hogan, 71, had passed away, leaving countless fans and loved ones heartbroken. "I wasn’t ready for this… and my heart is broken," Daily, 46, wrote in a poignant message. She had believed they would conquer his health struggles. "I had so much faith in his strength. I thought we still had more time," she confessed. This sudden loss felt impossible to process. To the world, he was a legend. But to her, he was just Terry. He was the man she loved. He was her partner and her heart.
Daily also spoke about Hogan’s dedication to his fans. Even as his physical health declined, he always tried his best. He made sure to be present, sign autographs, take photos, and connect with those who supported him. "You meant everything to him," she noted. She found comfort in his faith. "He was a believer in Christ," Daily wrote. This gave her peace, knowing his soul was at rest and he was welcomed home. She asked for prayers for his family and all who loved him as they faced this new reality.
Reports confirming Hogan’s death had surfaced on Thursday, July 24. His family confirmed his passing to Us Weekly. He died from cardiac arrest at his home in Clearwater, Florida. Hogan is survived by Sky Daily and his children, Brooke Hogan and Nick Hogan. He shared his children with his first wife, Linda Hogan. They were married from 1983 to 2009. He was also married to Jennifer McDaniel from 2010 to 2021.
Just weeks before, Hogan had undergone a major heart surgery. A source revealed in June that he was doing well after the procedure. Friends were shocked by his passing. They said he had been calling and texting as usual.
His family life sometimes saw its challenges. A source told Us in March that his daughter, Brooke, 37, was not speaking with her parents. This estrangement with Terry was quite recent, the source claimed. Hogan himself reportedly didn’t know why Brooke wasn’t speaking to him. The source mentioned that a lot of damage was done during Hogan’s divorce from Linda. Despite this, "Terry undoubtedly tried to be a good father," the source added.
Hogan, born in Augusta, Georgia, in August 1953, grew up in Port Tampa, Florida. He found his passion for wrestling as a teenager. His professional debut was in August 1977. He earned the "Hulk" nickname after appearing with Lou Ferrigno, the TV Hulk star. Ferrigno was shorter than the 6-foot-7 wrestler. Later, he joined the World Wrestling Federation (WWF), which became WWE. The WWF owner, Vince McMahon Sr., suggested he use an Irish last name, leading to "Hogan."
The "Hulkamania" craze began in 1984. That’s when Hogan won the WWF heavyweight title. He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame twice. Beyond the ring, Hogan ventured into acting. He appeared in films like Rocky III, No Holds Barred, and Mr. Nanny. His family even starred in a reality show, Hogan Knows Best, on VH1. It ran for four seasons from 2005 to 2007.
Brooke Hogan, Linda Hogan, Hulk Hogan, and Nick Hogan Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic
In a 2023 interview with Men’s Health, Hogan opened up about his health. He had 25 surgeries over the past decade. His body was "starting to fall apart," he said. He eventually changed his lifestyle. He exercised more and ate better. This led to a big transformation around age 70. "I didn’t think this kind of transformation was possible at this point in my life. I’m 69, but I feel like I’m 39," he shared. It wasn’t just physical. His mindset changed too. He used to say "no" to everything. He became a hermit. "Now I’m a totally different person," he stated. His kids moved back to Florida, and he felt full of energy. He wanted to go to the beach, go boating, and hang out with everyone. His whole lifestyle had completely changed.