Linda Hogan ‘melting down’ as she breaks silence on ex-husband Hulk Hogan’s shocking death

Hulk Hogan’s ex-wife has opened up about the wrestling legend’s death and shared gut-wrenching details on how she’s coming to terms with his shock loss.

Linda Hogan has spoken out following the death of her ex-husband, Hulk Hogan.

Responding to an Instagram post she initially shared on July 19, when she reminisced about the “good old days,” Linda said on Tuesday (AEST), “It’s so hard to know he’s just gone.”

“I had no idea he would pass away this soon,” Linda, 65, wrote. “We all really thought he would make a comeback ! Big surprise . We are all devastated . It’s hitting me so hard . I loved Hulkster more than he loved me . It hurt when he cheated . But he was sooo famous. I sort of u detstood but it was crushing . It hurt . I b😢ever got over him or started a real relationship w anyone .. I missed HIM!

“I’ve been weeping all day . The finality . It’s just shocking . We spent every minute together for so many years . I’ve known him since he was 28 yrs old ! I was 22. I still love him . Even tho I never spoke or saw him , Nick did .. and Nick would tell me things and vice versa . Just news about life . I still felt .. although broken .. we still were a family . It’s so hard to know he’s just gone . I tried to stay strong for Nick .. but I’m melting down now . It’s very sad . I love you Hulkster . You were my man . The only man for me . RIP.”

Brooke Hogan, Nick Hogan, Hulk Hogan and Linda Hogan. Picture: Michael Loccisano/FilmMagic

Hogan, whose real name was Terry Bollea, was married to Linda from 1983-2009. They shared daughter Brooke, 37, and son, Nick, 34.

Hogan, 71, was taken by ambulance from his home in Clearwater, Fla., early last Thursday morning, with a 911 call citing “cardiac arrest,” according to TMZ, which reported he died at the hospital.

The exes had publicly feuded in recent years, with Linda publicly calling Hulk a liar and saying their family is a mess.

Linda reminisced on the happier days of their marriage just days before the news of his death, posting an old photo of her and Hogan with the caption, “The Good old days!”

Hulk Hogan fires up the crowd between matches during WrestleMania 21 in Los Angeles. Picture: AP / File

An autopsy report for Hogan is still pending.

Clearwater Police Maj. Nate Burnside said there were “no signs of foul play or suspicious activity.”

Hogan’s current wife, Sky Daily, called his death “sudden” in an Instagram message last Friday.

“I wasn’t ready for this… and my heart is in pieces,” she wrote. “He had been dealing with some health issues, but I truly believed we would overcome them. I had so much faith in his strength. I thought we still had more time.

“This loss is sudden and impossible to process. To the world, he was a legend… but to me, he was my Terry. The man I loved. My partner. My heart.”

Hulk Hogan with his wife, Linda, in 2005 . Picture: AP / File

Sky added that Hogan loved his fans and connecting with them despite his “growing physical discomfort.”

Hogan had been at the centre of rumours that his health was declining just a few weeks before his death.

Since mid-June, Bubba the Love Sponge, a Tampa-based radio show and Hogan’s former best friend, reported that the WWE Hall of Famer was in the ICU and on his deathbed.

Hulk Hogan prepares to slam ‘Rowdy’ Roddy Piper down on the mat during WrestleMania in 1985. Picture: AP / File

A rep for Hogan, as well as Sky and WWE Hall of Famer Eric Bischoff, denied Bubba’s report.

As Bubba stood by his report, fans continued to speculate about Hogan’s health.

On July 11, Sky denied rumours that Hogan was in a coma and had brain damage, stating that “his heart is strong” and he was recovering from a recent neck surgery he underwent in May.

Hogan was married to his second wife, Jennifer McDaniel, from 2010-22.

This story was originally published in The New York Post. 

Originally published as Linda Hogan ‘melting down’ as she breaks silence on ex-husband Hulk Hogan’s shocking death