Brooke Hogan is navigating the choppy waters of grief after losing her father, wrestling legend Hulk Hogan, who passed away on July 24, 2025. The 37-year-old took to Instagram this week to share a poignant—and controversial—tribute that has fans divided.
In a heartfelt post, Hogan uploaded a swimsuit photo from the beach, captioning it with raw emotion: “Needed some time with my thoughts, my daddy and the ocean he loved so much. Every wave hit my heart like a memory that felt like it was yesterday. The waves carried the bass in his voice, the salt water felt like his hugs.” She added, “The tears were endless today. 🌊.”
But the photo itself—a cheeky bikini shot—quickly became the focal point, with critics accusing her of prioritizing self-promotion over mourning. “Post about your dad and the first thing you show us is your (expletive)???? Ok,” one user wrote. Another chimed in, “I like how this post was about her father and the first thing she proceeds to show us is her arse.”
This isn't the first time a sports-adjacent figure has faced backlash over a swimsuit photo. The debate mirrors similar controversies where public figures balance personal expression with public scrutiny.
Yet Hogan's defenders argue she has every right to grieve in her own way. For her, the beach was a sacred space shared with her father—a place where she felt his presence. “The smell of the ocean smelled like so many days on the boat we spent together,” she wrote, painting a vivid picture of their bond. “I remember him whisking me across the surf like King Triton holding his Little Mermaid…”
The backlash raises a broader question: who gets to decide how someone mourns? In an age where every post is dissected, Hogan's choice to wear a swimsuit while honoring her dad struck some as tone-deaf. But others see it as a deeply personal expression of love. “A tribute to hogan yet the first picture is to (expletive),” one critic fumed, while supporters countered that grief doesn't follow a dress code.
Hogan's post also highlights the unique pressure on children of famous athletes. Gracie Hunt, daughter of Chiefs owner Clark Hunt, faced her own social media firestorm over a wedding detail, showing how the spotlight never dims for sports families.
At its core, this is a story about a daughter missing her father. Brooke Hogan's tears were endless, she said, and her choice of imagery—however debated—was a way to feel closer to the man who once carried her across the surf. Whether critics approve or not, her grief is her own.
As fans continue to weigh in, one thing is clear: the ocean she loved with her dad doesn't care about Instagram likes or angry comments. It just keeps rolling in, wave after wave.
