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ELON MUSK COVERS HULK HOGAN’S FUNERAL COSTS IN HEARTFELT TRIBUTE — “HE WAS MY HERO”

In a world often driven by spectacle and self-promotion, the quiet gesture of one of the most powerful men on Earth has left millions speechless.

On a humid Florida morning, a small, private chapel in Clearwater became the focal point of the wrestling world as legends, family, and close friends gathered to say goodbye to Terry Bollea, known to generations as Hulk Hogan. But it wasn’t just the ring legends or showbiz icons who showed up. To everyone’s surprise, a familiar figure—often associated more with space travel and electric cars than wrestling—walked in silently, wearing a black suit and sunglasses: Elon Musk.

There were no reporters tipped off. No entourage. No tweets. Just Musk, quietly joining a grieving family to pay his respects to the man he would later call his “childhood hero.”

“HE GOT ME THROUGH THE HARD TIMES”

Witnesses at the funeral recall a moment that brought tears to even the toughest of men. As the service wound down, Elon Musk stepped forward, his expression uncharacteristically solemn. In his hand, a small piece of paper folded three times. He leaned over Hogan’s casket, placed the note beside a bouquet of yellow roses, and whispered three words no one around him could ever forget:

“Thank you, brother.”

The chapel fell silent.

Moments later, Musk turned to Hogan’s daughter, Brooke, and son, Nick. With tears in his eyes, he quietly said:
“I’ll handle everything. No one should worry about a thing. I owe him that.”

And just like that, the billionaire tech mogul—known for conquering Mars and reshaping the auto industry—took on a very different kind of mission: honoring his hero.

A HIDDEN CONNECTION REVEALED

Few people knew the depth of Elon Musk’s admiration for Hulk Hogan. But sources close to Musk say the relationship—though never public—had roots stretching back decades.

“In interviews, Elon always talks about books and science fiction, but people forget he grew up as a bullied kid in South Africa,” said a close Tesla executive, who requested anonymity. “He used to tape Hogan matches off TV. He’d stay up late and rewatch them, mimicking the poses, the voice, the attitude. Hogan made him feel powerful when the world made him feel small.”

In fact, an old interview with Musk from 2008 may have hinted at this bond. When asked what person, living or dead, he’d most want to have dinner with, Musk replied cryptically, “Someone who could body slam the pain out of a bad day.” No one at the time connected that answer to Hogan.

But now, it all makes sense.

A LEGEND GONE, A LEGACY ALIVE

Hulk Hogan, the embodiment of 1980s wrestling charisma, passed away last week at the age of 71 due to complications from a stroke. Though he’d battled numerous health issues in recent years, he remained active on social media, sharing motivational messages and “brotherly love” with his millions of fans.

He wasn’t just a wrestler; he was a movement. His larger-than-life personality, patriotic flair, and unmatched energy turned him into a pop culture icon. From the WrestleMania stage to Saturday morning cartoons and action figures, Hogan shaped the childhoods of millions—Elon Musk included.

“Hogan gave us more than matches,” said wrestling legend Ric Flair, who spoke at the service. “He gave us strength. He made us believe in the fight.”

ELON’S GESTURE: NOT FOR SHOW

While many celebrities donate or make grand gestures with public announcements, Musk’s support came with no press release, no tweet, and no social media fanfare. According to funeral home sources, he covered 100% of the costs—including:

A platinum-lined custom casket modeled after Hogan’s iconic red-and-yellow gear
First-class travel and accommodations for over 30 wrestling veterans who couldn’t otherwise attend
A private jet for Hogan’s family to scatter his ashes in a location of their choosing
A full-year trust fund for the Hogan Family Foundation to continue its charity work

“It wasn’t a PR stunt. In fact, he didn’t even want his name mentioned at first,” said a funeral director involved with the arrangements. “But the family insisted people know the truth—not because it’s about money, but because it’s about respect.”

BROOKE HOGAN: “WE HAD NO IDEA”

In an emotional post on Instagram the next day, Brooke Hogan shared a photo of the note Musk had left on her father’s casket. While she blurred most of the message, she left visible one line:

“You saved me in ways I never told anyone. You were my lighthouse in the dark.”

“We had no idea my father had that kind of impact on him,” Brooke wrote. “Elon didn’t just help us. He reminded us who our father was to the world. We’re forever grateful.”

Nick Hogan echoed the sentiment in a brief statement:
“Never thought a man from Mars would be the one to carry Dad home. But he did. Like a brother.”

WRESTLING WORLD REACTS

Once word spread, tributes poured in from across the wrestling universe and beyond.

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson posted:

“Hulk was my hero too. But Elon honoring him like this? That’s beyond words. Respect, brother.”

Triple H tweeted:

“The ring may be silent now, but the echo of Hogan’s roar lives on—in the fans, and clearly in unexpected places.”

Even WWE shared a rare statement praising Musk’s gesture:

“It’s rare to see one icon honor another with such humility. Hulk Hogan inspired generations. Elon Musk reminded us of why.”

WHAT’S NEXT?

Insiders close to Musk say he has no plans to publicize his actions further, but there are whispers he’s already working on something bigger: funding a digital archive of classic wrestling matches, including restoring early Hogan bouts in high definition and making them free for the public.

“He said something about wanting kids today to feel what he felt,” said one insider. “That strength. That hope.”

There’s also speculation Musk may team up with WWE to fund a STEM education program using wrestling themes to encourage young students—especially in underserved areas—to pursue careers in science and technology. The program would be named “The Hulkamania Initiative.”

Whether that comes to pass or not, one thing is certain: Elon Musk’s quiet tribute has added a new, deeply human layer to the man known for sending rockets into space.

FINAL WORDS

As the chapel emptied, those closest to the scene say Musk lingered a little longer than most. Standing alone before the casket, he raised his right hand in a salute—mimicking Hogan’s iconic pose one last time.

“He was my hero,” Musk later said in a whispered comment to a family friend. “And heroes never die. They live in the people they saved.”

And with that, he walked away.

No cameras. No sound bites. Just a heartfelt goodbye from one unlikely brother to another.

Rest in peace, Hulkster.
You had more fans than you ever knew.