Hulk Hogan's Wife Pays Loving Tribute to Stepson Nick on First Birthday Since Wrestler's Death

This year, Nick Hogan's birthday arrived not with joy, but with an absence once filled by his father, Hulk Hogan. For Nick and his stepmother, Sky, it was a reminder of just how much can change in a few days.

Sky Daily Hogan, the widow of pro wrestling legend Hulk Hogan, shared an emotional tribute to her stepson, Nick Hogan, as he celebrated his first birthday without his father on Sunday, July 27, 2025.

The touching message comes just days after the icon's passing on July 24, at age 71. In the Instagram post filled with heartfelt emotion, Sky honored Nick's strength and the deep bond he shared with his father. She wrote:

"Happy birthday @nickhogan! We love you so much. Your dad couldn't have been prouder of the son you are… loyal, loving, hard-working, and always there when it mattered most. The strength and heart you've shown all along means more than I can say. I'm so grateful for you, and I know Terry felt the same every single day [sic]."

Nick, visibly moved by the tribute, responded with gratitude, "Thank you so much Sky, I really appreciate everything you did for my father and are doing for all of us at this time [sic]." He also posted a tribute to his late father:

"My dad was the most incredible person I've ever known and will always be my hero. He was the most kind, loving and amazing father anybody could ask for. I feel so blessed to have had the greatest dad in the world. He was not only the best dad but also my mentor and my best friend. He always has been my best friend and I love him and miss him [sic]."

The outpouring of love within the Hogan family was mirrored by fellow wrestlers and longtime friends. Wrestling legend Ric Flair expressed his heartbreak in a statement on X. He said their friendship meant the world to him.

Sky also shared another deeply emotional message on Instagram the day after her husband's death. "I wasn't ready for this… and my heart is in pieces," she wrote. "This loss is sudden and impossible to process. To the world, he was a legend… but to me, he was my Terry. The man I loved. My partner. My heart."

Tributes from beyond the wrestling world also poured in. Former President Donald Trump, a longtime friend of Hulk’s, wrote on Truth Social, "We lost a great friend today, the 'Hulkster.' Hulk Hogan was strong, tough, smart, but with the biggest heart." He extended condolences to Sky and the family, writing, "Hulk Hogan will be greatly missed!"

TMZ reported that Hogan was treated by Clearwater Fire & Rescue personnel in his home in Clearwater, Florida. They tried to resuscitate him before taking him to a nearby hospital. He was pronounced dead at the hospital on Thursday morning.

During a press conference held in the afternoon of the same day, Clearwater Police Major Nate Burnside reportedly said Hulk's death had "no signs of foul play or suspicious activity."

As the Hogan family navigates their grief, Sunday's birthday post from Sky and the heartfelt responses from Nick serve as reminders that the love that defined Hulkamania's legacy went far beyond the wrestling ring.