Quick answer: Brooke Hogan said her relationship with Hulk Hogan changed after the wrestler slept with one of her best friends in the 2000s. Although Brooke forgave her father, the singer described lasting hurt while also expressing love and gratitude for happy childhood memories.
The relationship between Brooke Hogan and Hulk Hogan changed after the wrestling star slept with one of his daughter’s best friends. Reflecting on that betrayal in a new interview, Brooke described it as “A major turning point”—one that forgiveness did not simply undo.
The 38-year-old singer said she forgave her father, but their connection never fully returned to what it had been. Her account also leaves room for the love and happy childhood memories that remained important to her, even after their relationship became more difficult.
A betrayal that changed their relationship
The encounter happened in the 2000s, while Hulk was still married to Brooke’s mother, Linda. At that point, Hulk and Linda had privately understood that their marriage was over, although they remained married.
For Brooke, the involvement of one of her closest friends made the incident a deeply personal breach. Looking back, she described a lasting change in the way her father connected with her, despite her decision to forgive him.
“I don’t think he ever related to me in quite the same way again,” she said.
That distinction sits at the centre of Brooke’s account: forgiving her father did not mean their relationship was unchanged. She spoke about the hurt without dismissing the affection she continued to feel for him.
“I can love my father profoundly”
Brooke addressed that balance directly, explaining why acknowledging painful experiences does not erase everything good that came before them. She also described reaching a point when the wider family dynamic was no longer something she could live with.
“I can love my father profoundly and still tell the truth about where he hurt me. I can acknowledge the wonderful things my family gave me while also acknowledging that eventually the dynamic became something I could no longer live inside. Both things can be true.”
Her words draw a clear line between remembering her family with love and remaining silent about the things that hurt her. Rather than presenting those feelings as opposites, Brooke described them as parts of the same experience.
The childhood memories Brooke still treasures
The interview came 14 months after Hulk’s death from a heart attack in July 2025. Alongside her account of the betrayal, Brooke recalled how protected she had felt with him as a child.
“As a little girl, I felt incredibly safe with my dad. I adored him. I have wonderful memories with him.”
Brooke remains grateful for the bond they shared, while acknowledging that their later relationship had limits she needed to respect. Her reflections hold both experiences together: the father who made her feel safe growing up, and the father whose actions left their connection permanently changed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Brooke Hogan say about Hulk Hogan sleeping with her friend?
Brooke described the incident as “A major turning point” in their relationship. Although she forgave her father, she said, “I don’t think he ever related to me in quite the same way again.”
Was Hulk Hogan still married to Linda when the encounter happened?
Yes. The encounter happened in the 2000s while Hulk and Linda were still married, although they had privately understood that their marriage was over.
How does Brooke Hogan remember her childhood with her father?
Brooke recalled feeling protected and deeply attached to her father as a child. She said, “As a little girl, I felt incredibly safe with my dad. I adored him. I have wonderful memories with him.”
