The Linda Hogan divorce settlement became one of the most expensive splits in celebrity history.
Hulk Hogan, born Terry Gene Bollea, married Linda Claridge in 1983 in a star-studded ceremony that featured wrestling legends like Vince McMahon and Andre the Giant.
The couple had met over two years earlier and maintained a long-distance relationship due to Hogan’s demanding wrestling schedule.
Their union produced two children: daughter Brooke, born in May 1988, and son Nick, born in July 1990.
The Hogan family rose to prominence through their VH1 reality series “Hogan Knows Best,” which aired for four successful seasons from 2005 to 2007.
The show presented the Hogans as a loving, tight-knit family navigating life in the spotlight.
However, beneath the surface of their television personas, serious marital problems were brewing.
The couple’s 24-year marriage began unraveling as allegations of infidelity surfaced, with Linda’s publicist claiming that Hulk had engaged in an affair with Christine Plante, a close friend of their daughter Brooke.
The reality show that had showcased their family unity ultimately ended when Linda filed for divorce in October 2007, marking the beginning of what would become one of the most expensive celebrity divorces in entertainment history.
Legal Experts Call the Linda Hogan Divorce Settlement Unusually High for Celebrity Splits
The Linda Hogan divorce settlement, finalized in July 2009, stands as one of the most costly celebrity divorces in entertainment history.
The settlement awarded Linda an unprecedented 70% of the couple’s liquid assets, fundamentally altering Hulk Hogan’s financial landscape and setting a benchmark for high-profile divorce proceedings.
Linda Hogan received $7.44 million from the couple’s joint $10.41 million in cash and investment accounts, leaving Hulk with approximately $2.97 million.
This division represented exactly 70% of their liquid assets going to Linda, which forms the basis of widespread reports about Hulk losing the majority of his wealth in the divorce.
Beyond the liquid assets, Linda secured 40% ownership of Hulk’s various business ventures and companies, providing her with ongoing revenue streams from his wrestling-related enterprises and other investments.
The settlement also included a substantial $3 million property settlement that Linda received from Hulk.
Court documents revealed the extensive nature of their shared assets, which had accumulated over their 24-year marriage during the height of Hulk’s wrestling career and reality television success.
The financial terms reflected not only the couple’s wealth but also the contentious nature of their split, which involved allegations of infidelity and public disputes.
The divorce proceedings proved particularly messy, with both parties engaging in public disputes through their representatives.
Linda’s publicist accused Hulk of attempting to deflect attention from his alleged affair with Christine Plante, while Hulk’s legal team characterized Linda’s statements as attention-seeking behavior.
The case dragged through the courts with various claims and counterclaims, including a 2011 defamation lawsuit that Hulk filed against Linda regarding allegations in her memoir “Wrestling the Hulk—My Life Against the Ropes.“
The settlement’s impact extended beyond the immediate financial division.
Legal experts noted that the 70% award to Linda was unusually high for celebrity divorces, even considering Florida’s equitable distribution laws.
Years after the settlement, the financial arrangement continued to affect both parties.
Hulk faced ongoing legal battles and struggled with reduced assets while building new relationships and eventually remarrying twice.
Linda, meanwhile, used her settlement to maintain her lifestyle and pursue various ventures, though she later claimed in social media posts that the family’s dysfunction continued long after the financial matters were resolved.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- After divorcing Linda in 2009, he married Jennifer McDaniel in 2010 (divorced in 2021), and then married Sky Daily in 2023.
- Hogan had a years-long legal feud with Gawker over a sex tape that resulted in a $31 million settlement in his favor.
- Brooke chose not to attend Hulk’s 2023 wedding to Sky Daily and has been estranged from both parents for several years, even after having twins and getting married without telling them.
