The Immortal Hulk Hogan, real name Terry Bollea, died of a heart attack this week. The wrestling world continues to pay tribute to his accomplishments. However, the WWE icon’s most bizarre scandal and public affair is also coming to light following his death.
Hulk Hogan and Linda Hogan were married from 1983 until 2009, when their public divorce was finalized. Linda infamously filed for divorce in 2007 as a result of Hulk’s adultery, the Gainesville Times reported at the time.
People forget that VH1’s reality series Hogan Knows Best was one of the most popular TV shows in the world from 2005 to 2007. However, the show was unlikely to continue following the details of Hogan’s affair and how it deeply impacted his daughter, Brooke Hogan. This deeply personal scandal followed Hulk Hogan through the last 20 years of his life and to his death.
GettyDeath has already not been kind to Hulk Hogan, who severely tarnished his public image with an affair.
Who Did Hulk Hogan Have an Affair With?
Brooke Hogan’s close friend, Christiane Plante, confirmed via a report from Today back in 2008 that she began an affair with Hulk Hogan that effectively ended his marriage to Brooke’s parents. Plante explained her side of the affair during an interview with the National Enquirer:
“My relationship with Terry began at a time when Terry and Linda privately knew their marriage was ending,” Christiane said at the time. “She had left him already, although no official papers had been filed.”
Linda immediately filed for divorce from Hulk Hogan once she learned of the affair. After the scandal went public, Plante expressed great guilt for her actions. She claims to have “lost an amazing friend” in Brooke, but the family bonds between Plante and Brooke were never repaired.
The complicated dynamics for the Hogan family were never the same. But almost 20 years have passed, so people are curious if the death of Hulk Hogan impacted his family enough to forgive him for the nearly 20-year-old scandal. Did Brooke Hogan and Hulk heal over the years, or did the betrayal of his affair permanently end their relationship?
GettyBrooke Hogan publicly forgave Hulk Hogan for the divorce, but time did not heal their wounds.
How Were Brooke and Hulk Hogan Before His Death?
The rift between Hulk Hogan and Brooke was worse, not better, before the former’s death. It has been reported since Thursday that Brooke and Hulk were not speaking when he passed away. It was actually Linda Hogan in March 2025 who said that Brooke was not on good terms with Hulk or herself.
“It’s been 15 or longer years since I left Hulk Hogan, and my family is in the worst mess,” she revealed in a tear-filled Instagram video reported by TMZ… “Brooke doesn’t talk to us. She had twins, she got married, and she didn’t tell us.”
After her mother’s words made waves, Brooke Hogan responded that her issues with her parents were separate. “What I’m about to say is not pointed at either person… I have been EXTREMELY verbally and mentally abused since childhood. Sadly, it would frequently turn physical.” Brooke detailed her need to cut off both parents to “break the chain.”
It’s clear that Brooke Hogan had a complex relationship with her father. Hulk Hogan is a WWE icon and a 1980s pop culture legend. However, Hogan’s past mistakes have rewritten his legacy as Hulk Hogan after his death. His fans may give him his flowers in the coming days. But Hulk Hogan has a complicated legacy with a scandal that will be explored long after his death.
Hulk Hogan’s Death Exposes Controversial Affair With Daughter’s Best Friend