The wrestling world said a final goodbye to one of its most iconic figures this week as Hulk Hogan—born Terry Gene Bollea—was laid to rest in a private ceremony in Clearwater, Florida. But while the guest list included wrestling royalty and close friends, one absence stood out: his daughter, Brooke Hogan.

Now, for the first time, Brooke is sharing the deeply personal reason she chose not to attend her father’s funeral—opening up about grief, family, and honoring her dad in her own way.

A Private Farewell for a Public Icon

On Tuesday, August 5, just 12 days after Hulk Hogan’s sudden death from a heart attack at age 71, mourners gathered at Sylvan Abbey Memorial Park & Funeral Home. The private service in Clearwater—a city Hulk called home with his wife, Sky Daily—was attended by a close circle of family, friends, and wrestling legends, including Kid Rock, Triple H, and Stephanie McMahon.

But Brooke, 37, was not among them. The singer and former reality TV star, who had not been in contact with her father for the past two years, instead spent the day with her own family—husband Steven Oleksy, 39, and their infant twins, Oliver and Molly—at the beach.

Brooke’s Emotional Instagram Message

Later that day, Brooke broke her silence with an Instagram post that quickly drew thousands of supportive comments. Alongside touching photos of her young family by the ocean, she explained her decision with honesty and vulnerability.

“My father hated the morbidity of funerals. He didn’t want one,” Brooke wrote. “And although I know people grieve in many ways—and I’m so grateful for all celebrations and events organized to honor him—as his daughter, I had to make my own decision to honor him the best and most genuine way I knew how…privately…the way that made me feel the closest to him.”

She added, “The only thing missing today was him in his pop up lawn chair watching the waves…and the sunset 💔.”

Brooke went on to describe how she and her husband took their twins to the same salty waters Hulk loved. “Molly loved the water. I think she’ll be a ‘little fish’ as you called me. We love you and honor the things that made you so special. Every grain of sand and every wave reminded me of being your beach baby, and brought us closer to you. I pray you are at peace and know how dearly I love you,” she wrote.

She concluded simply: “Rest in heaven, Daddy ❤️”

Family, Distance, and the Realities of Grief

Brooke’s absence from her father’s funeral has sparked conversation among fans and the wrestling community. While some wondered if family tensions played a role, Brooke’s message made it clear that her decision was rooted in her own process of grieving—and a desire to honor her father’s wishes.

“People grieve in many ways,” she wrote. “As his daughter, I had to make my own decision to honor him the best and most genuine way I knew how…privately…the way that made me feel the closest to him.”

Sources close to the family confirm that Brooke and Hulk had not been in regular contact for the past two years. Still, her tribute underscores the complexity of family relationships, especially when lived in the public eye.

Remembering Hulk Hogan: The Man Behind the Legend

For millions, Hulk Hogan was the ultimate wrestling superstar—a larger-than-life persona who helped define WWE for generations. But for Brooke, he was simply “Daddy.”

In her emotional Instagram tribute, Brooke recalled her father’s love of the beach, and the countless memories they shared by the ocean. “Every grain of sand and every wave reminded me of being your beach baby, and brought us closer to you,” she wrote.

Brooke also shared a throwback photo on her Instagram Stories, writing, “We will be celebrating your life and all our good memories while we have our feet in the same saltwater you loved. Until we meet again, daddy,” alongside a white heart emoji.

Questions and Closure

In the hours after the funeral, Brooke appeared on the Bubba the Love Sponge Show, where she voiced surprise that no autopsy was performed before her father was cremated.

“I do think it’s weird that no autopsy was performed, because yes, you can have a heart attack but what was the reason for the heart attack is the question,” she told the podcast’s host. “Because he was up and doing breathing exercises and stuff. That means that the surgery on his heart was a success and it was working.”

Medical records obtained by PEOPLE confirm that Hulk Hogan suffered from atrial fibrillation—a heart rhythm disorder—and had a history of leukemia. Brooke recalled the many health battles her father faced, including “so many ablations and cardioversions” to treat his symptoms and prolong his life.

“I remember back then praying, ‘Dear God, please don’t let this be the day my dad dies,’” she said. “But he got through all of it.”

A Daughter’s Love, A Family’s Loss

Despite the physical distance and the challenges of fame, Brooke’s love for her father is unmistakable. In a previous Instagram tribute, she wrote, “When he left this earth, it felt like part of my spirit left with him. I felt it before the news even reached us.”

She added, “I know he’s at peace now, out of pain, and in a place as beautiful as he imagined. He used to speak about this moment with such wonder and hope. Like meeting God was the greatest championship he’d ever have.”

Honoring Hulk Hogan, In Her Own Way

Brooke Hogan’s decision to grieve privately, away from the cameras and crowds, is a reminder that even the most public families are made up of real people—each with their own ways of saying goodbye.

As fans around the world mourn the loss of a wrestling legend, Brooke’s heartfelt tribute stands as a powerful testament to the enduring bond between father and daughter, and to the many ways we honor those we love.