Hulk Hogan’s son-in-law is finally speaking out after it was revealed that the former WWE star’s daughter, Brooke, has chosen to walk away from his million-dollar fortune. Earlier, Brooke had posted a lengthy tribute for her father on Instagram, calling their bond spiritual, something that stood above all differences, even during times they weren’t on speaking terms. But now, in a sharp turn, Brooke’s husband Steve Oleksy has told Us Weekly the real reason behind her decision, saying the money “came at the expense” of his wife’s dignity.
Hulk Hogan’s son-in-law breaks silence on family rift
“I believe my wife upheld her dad’s best interests even after his death, mustering all the courage and kindness she could, despite still being deeply hurt,” Steve Oleksy told the US-based outlet on Wednesday. Neither Brooke nor Hulk ever publicly spoke about their rift, which surfaced after the 37-year-old skipped her father’s wedding to Sky Daily. In return, Hulk likely skipped Brooke’s own wedding to the former NHL player. According to a previous report by TMZ, Brooke had reached out to Hogan’s financial advisor, asking to be removed from the will, citing a lack of trust in the people around her father.
Now, Oleksy is addressing the current family dynamic: “That money doesn’t represent success in the ring, the bulk of it came at the expense of my wife’s dignity. It was built on hurtful comments about her and her past relationship. That pain didn’t stop with her, it affected other families, too.”Oleksy was likely referring to Hulk Hogan’s infamous sex tape, released by the now-defunct media outlet Gawker, where the WWE star was filmed having sex with his then-best friend’s wife, Heather Cole. In the leaked audio, Hulk could be heard using racial slurs directed at Brooke’s ex-boyfriend and even calling himself a racist.
At the time of his split from first wife Linda, Hulk Hogan had already lost 70% of his liquid assets in a messy divorce, one where Linda accused him of sleeping with one of Brooke’s friends. Years later, Hogan, who was financially struggling, ended up suing Gawker for breach of privacy and was awarded $31 million in a settlement, which ultimately bankrupted the site. “While one life changed forever financially, the real victims never received a direct apology,” Oleksy said. “And despite the public humiliation, they never asked for or received a single dollar.”
He went on to say that Brooke had been unknowingly put in a position to defend someone, without being fully informed. “She didn’t know the remarks were tied to a sex tape, or that the racist language was aimed at her and her ex. She was kept in the dark about the transcripts.” Brooke and her father remained estranged in the years before his death. She recently opened up in an emotional Instagram tribute, recalling their complicated bond, and even revealing she named one of her kids after him.
Story continues below this ad
“His eyes shine through my children. And our bond has never broken, not even in his final moments,” she wrote. “We had a connection deeper than words, one that spanned lifetimes. I am so grateful that I knew the real version of him. Not just the one the world viewed through a carefully curated lens.”
