We previously reported that the legendary former professional wrestler Hulk Hogan died on Thursday morning at the age of 71. Now, tragic new details are coming out about Hogan’s final days. The iconic wrestler’s wife Sky Daily, who he married in September of 2023, is also speaking out to admit that she “wasn’t ready” for him to pass away.
Hogan’s Painful Final Days
Sources are coming forward to say that Hogan’s health took a major turn for the worse in the days before his death on July 24.
Wrestling journalist Dave Meltzer is speaking out to allege that Hogan was intubated in May due to complications from a neck surgery. Hogan was also reportedly battling renal failure, fluid overload and severe COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease).
“What happened with Hulk was they took him out of the hospital and made a hospital in his house as there wasn’t much left they could do,” Meltzer, 65, wrote in his Wrestling Observer Newsletter the day after Hogan died.
Hogan’s ‘Body Was So Beaten Up’
Hogan ultimately died of cardiac arrest. Afterwards, an insider told US Weekly that Hogan had been “in and out of the hospital for years.” The source described this as being “the culmination of having over 30 surgeries over the course of his life.”
The insider went on to explain that Hogan underwent various “back and spine surgeries” for decades. One of these surgeries came after Hogan “tore his whole back” when he body slammed André the Giant at WrestleMania III in 1987. Indeed, this is known as one of the most famous matches in professional wrestling history.
“Wrestling like he did for so many years has done so much damage,” the insider continued. “His body was so beaten up. Although wrestling can be fake, it’s not physically fake. There were predetermined outcomes to the matches, but the physicality was very real. He was always in some sort of pain. He paid for his success.”
Earlier this year, Hogan was revealed to have heart issues while “having a surgery for something else.” This led to “pretty serious” heart surgery.
Despite his various health struggles, Hogan’s death still came as a “huge shock” to his friends.
“He had been calling and texting as normal,” the source concluded.
Related: Hulk Hogan Found Dead At 71
Hogan’s Widow Admits She ‘Wasn’t Ready For’ His Death
Hogan’s death also came as a shock to his wife Sky Daily, 46. On Friday, July 18, six days before his death, Daily took to social media to deny rumors that her husband was in a coma.
“No, he’s definitely not in a coma!” she wrote at the time. “His heart is strong, and there was never any lack of oxygen or brain damage. None of those rumors are true.”
Sadly, Hogan was dead less than a week later. The day after his passing, Daily opened up about her grief in an emotional Instagram post.
“I wasn’t ready for this…and my heart is in pieces,” Daily 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,” she continued. “Hulk loved his fans so much and despite his growing physical discomfort, he did everything he could to show up, sign autographs, take photos, and connect with the people who supported him through it all. You meant everything to him.”
Related: Police Reveal Disturbing Details About Hulk Hogan’s Final Moments Before He Dies At 71
Hogan’s Christian Faith
Daily proceeded to touch on Hogan’s strong Christian faith.
“He was a believer in Christ, and I take comfort knowing his soul is at peace and he’s been welcomed home,” she concluded. “Please keep his family and all of us who loved him in your prayers as we try to navigate this new reality.”
Hogan is survived by Daily and by his children Brooke, 37, and Nick, 35, who he shares with his ex-wife Linda Claridge, 65. Please join us in saying a prayer for them as they continue to mourn this unimaginable loss.
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