Sky Daily revealed that Hulk Hogan secretly recorded a goodbye message for each of his kids.
“He wanted them to hear his voice when they needed it most.”
Nick’s tape was played at the private service — and what he said in the final seconds stunned everyone…
Hulk Hogan’s Secret Goodbye Message to Nick Hogan Leaves Family and Fans in Tears
In the days following the sudden death of wrestling legend Hulk Hogan on July 24, 2025, at age 71, his third wife, Sky Daily, has shared a heart-wrenching revelation that has deepened the emotional impact of his passing. Sky disclosed on Instagram on July 30, 2025, that Hogan had secretly recorded personal goodbye messages for his two children, Brooke and Nick Hogan, from his first marriage to Linda Hogan. “He wanted them to hear his voice when they needed it most,” Sky wrote, explaining that Hogan, aware of his declining health, prepared these tapes to offer comfort and closure to his children. At a private memorial service held on July 28, 2025, in Clearwater, Florida, Nick’s tape was played, and the words Hogan spoke in the final seconds left attendees, including close family and wrestling peers, stunned and moved to tears.
Hulk Hogan, born Terry Gene Bollea, died of cardiac arrest at his $11.5 million Clearwater mansion, a loss that sent shockwaves through the wrestling world and beyond. His marriage to Sky Daily, a 46-year-old yoga instructor, in September 2023 marked a new chapter after his divorces from Linda Hogan (1983–2009) and Jennifer McDaniel (2010–2021). Despite his public persona as the indomitable “Hulkster,” Hogan had been grappling with health issues, including a major heart surgery in June 2025 and a neck surgery in May, as reported by Us Weekly and Newsweek. Sky’s post revealed that Hogan, sensing his time was limited, recorded these messages in early July 2025, during a quiet moment at their beachside home. “He sat alone in his study, speaking from his heart,” Sky shared, noting that he kept the tapes hidden in a small lockbox, entrusting her to share them after his passing.
The private service, attended by Nick, Sky, her three children from a previous relationship, and wrestling figures like Jimmy Hart and Ric Flair, was an intimate affair at Indian Rocks Baptist Church, where Hogan and Sky were baptized together in December 2023. According to a source close to the family cited by People, the decision to play Nick’s tape during the service was made to honor Hogan’s wish for his son to hear his message surrounded by loved ones. The tape, described as a 90-second recording, began with Hogan reflecting on his pride in Nick’s resilience. “You’ve been through so much, brother, but you kept fighting, just like I taught you,” Hogan said, referencing Nick’s 2007 car accident and subsequent legal troubles, which strained but never broke their bond. He spoke of their walks on Clearwater Beach, where they discussed life and dreams, and urged Nick to “keep being true to yourself, no matter what.”
The final seconds of the tape, however, were what left the room in stunned silence. In a quivering voice, Hogan confessed, “Nick, I wasn’t perfect, but I loved you every single day. If I could do it over, I’d spend more time just being your dad, not the Hulkster. Forgive me, and carry our family’s heart forward.” These words, raw and vulnerable, revealed a side of Hogan rarely seen—a father grappling with his larger-than-life persona and its impact on his family. Attendees, including Jimmy Hart, were visibly emotional, with Hart later telling Entertainment Now that “it was like Terry was in the room, speaking directly to Nick’s soul.” Nick, who has been vocal about his close relationship with his father, was seen wiping tears as he clutched Sky’s hand, a gesture of gratitude for her preserving this moment.
Sky’s decision to share the existence of these tapes has sparked widespread reaction among fans, particularly on X, where posts have described the gesture as “heartbreakingly beautiful” and “a testament to Hogan’s love.” The revelation also sheds light on Hogan’s complex family dynamics. His daughter Brooke, 37, who has been estranged from both parents for nearly eight years, did not attend the memorial service, and her tape remains unplayed, per Sky’s Instagram post. Brooke’s absence, as noted in Daily Mail, stems from a rift that began after Hogan’s 2009 divorce from Linda and deepened when Brooke cited “verbal and mental abuse” in a March 2025 Instagram post. Sky indicated that Brooke’s tape is being kept safe, with hopes she will one day be ready to hear it. “Terry wanted Brooke to know he loved her, no matter the distance,” Sky wrote, hinting at Hogan’s regret over their estrangement.
The tapes add another layer to Hogan’s legacy, which has been marked by both triumph and controversy. As a 12-time world champion and two-time WWE Hall of Famer, Hogan transformed wrestling into a global phenomenon in the 1980s, headlining WrestleManias and starring in films like Rocky III. Yet, his personal life faced scrutiny, from a 2015 racist rant that led to his temporary removal from the WWE Hall of Fame to a 2012 sex tape scandal that resulted in a $31 million settlement with Gawker, as detailed in People. Through it all, Hogan’s bond with Nick remained a constant, with Nick praising his father as his “best friend” in a July 26 Instagram tribute. The goodbye message underscores this bond, offering Nick a final affirmation of love and forgiveness.
Fans have been particularly moved by the contrast between Hogan’s public bravado and the vulnerability in his message. “Hearing that Hulk Hogan, the guy who slammed André the Giant, was just a dad wanting to make things right—it’s overwhelming,” one X user posted. Others have speculated about the contents of Brooke’s tape, with some hoping it might bridge their estrangement. Sky’s role in sharing these messages has also drawn praise, with Nick publicly thanking her on Instagram for “everything you did for my father and are doing for all of us.” Despite reports from The US Sun suggesting Sky moved quickly to secure Hogan’s $25 million estate, potentially causing tension with Nick and Brooke, her actions in preserving these tapes have been seen as a gesture of unity.
The Clearwater community, where Hogan was a beloved figure, has also felt the weight of his loss. The beach where Nick left a bandana-adorned cross in his father’s memory has become a pilgrimage site for fans, as noted by TMZ. Hogan’s final words to Nick, played in that quiet church, resonate as a reminder of his humanity—a man who, despite his flaws, sought to leave a legacy of love for his children. As Sky wrote, “Terry knew his time was coming, and he wanted his kids to carry his voice with them.” For Nick, those final seconds of his father’s message—a plea for forgiveness and a call to carry on—will echo far beyond the ring, a poignant farewell from a legend to his son.
