Linda Hogan paid tribute to her ex-husband, WWE icon Hulk Hogan, just four days before his unexpected death shook the wrestling world.

In a moment that now appears eerily significant, Linda, aged 65, shared a throwback picture on Instagram, showcasing a glamorous image of herself with the late wrestling icon at the 1996 NATPE Convention in Las Vegas.

Dressed in a sleek black gown, she had her arm wrapped around Hulk, who was at the height of his career and fame. 

She captioned the post simply: ‘The good old days!’

At the time, fans saw the post as a nostalgic glance at a very public and often scrutinized relationship. 

Following Hulk Hogan’s unexpected passing, the photograph has gained a much deeper and poignant meaning, becoming a space for fans to offer their condolences to Linda and her family.

Linda Hogan paid tribute to her ex-husband, WWE icon Hulk Hogan, just four days before his unexpected death shook the wrestling world; seen in 2005

Linda and Hulk—born Terry Bollea—were married for 26 years, having wed in 1983 during Hulk’s rapid ascent in the professional wrestling arena.

Together, they navigated the highs and lows of celebrity life, raising two children in the spotlight: daughter Brooke Hogan and son Nick Hogan, both now 36.

The family became even more recognizable in the mid-2000s through their VH1 reality show, Hogan Knows Best, which pulled back the curtain on the challenges of fame, marriage, and parenting.

Though the couple officially divorced in 2009 following a very public breakup, they remained connected through their children and shared history.

DailyMail.com confirmed on Thursday that the WWE icon passed away early in the morning on July 24.

911 operators dispatched paramedics to his Clearwater, Florida home.

A Clearwater Police Department spokesman said in a statement: ‘Clearwater Fire Department and Clearwater Police Department personnel responded to a medical call at 9:51 a.m. today in the 1000 block of Eldorado Avenue on Clearwater Beach. 

‘The nature of the call was for a cardiac arrest. A 71-year-old resident, Terry Bollea, also known as Hulk Hogan, was treated by Clearwater Fire & Rescue crews before being taken by Sunstar to Morton Plant Hospital, where he was pronounced deceased.’ 

Linda, 65, posted a throwback photo to Instagram, capturing a glamorous snapshot of herself and the late wrestling legend at the 1996 NATPE Convention in Las Vegas (pictured in 1996)

In light of Hulk Hogan’s sudden passing, the photo has taken on a much deeper and more emotional significance as it has become a place for fans to extend their condolences; seen in  1992

Police cars and EMTs were parked outside Hogan’s home in the immediate aftermath of the emergency, with the reality star carried onto an stretcher and into an ambulance.

The shock death comes just weeks after his wife Sky denied rumors he was on his deathbed in a coma – and claimed his heart was ‘strong’ after he underwent a routine neck surgery.

Hogan is survived by his third wife Sky Daily, who he wed in 2023, children Brooke, 37, and Nick, 34, who he shared with first wife Linda Claridge, and two grandchildren.

Hulk Hogan’s representative, Linda Bose, confirmed his death to CBS NEWS, saying: ‘Unfortunately we must confirm that Terry Bollea, aka Hulk Hogan passed away this morning.

‘We are heartbroken. He was such a great human being and friend.’

The Clearwater Police Department confirmed Hogan was ;experiencing a serious medical related issue’ at died at 11.17am. There are no signs of foul play or suspicious activity and an investigation into the death is underway.

His representative said in a statement last month: ‘He’s had problems with his back for years but there’s no emergency.’

Hogan had previously opened up about undergoing ’25 surgeries in the past decade.’

While appearing on Jake Paul’s IMPAULSIVE podcast last year, he said: ‘Ten of them were back surgeries. I’ve had both knees and hips replaced, shoulders — everything.’

Linda and Hulk — born Terry Bollea — were married for 26 years, tying the knot in 1983 during Hulk’s meteoric rise in the world of professional wrestling

In the 1980s, Hogan – known for his signature mustache and headscarf – was the driving force behind WWE’s rise from a regional promotion around New York to an international brand.

Hogan kickstarted ‘Hulkamania’ after defeating the Iron Sheik for the World Heavyweight Championship in 1984.

He won at least six WWE championships and was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005.

Hogan was the main draw for the first WrestleMania in 1985 and was a fixture for years, facing everyone from Andre The Giant and Randy Savage to The Rock and even company chairman Vince McMahon.

Hogan was also a celebrity outside the wrestling world, appearing in numerous movies and television shows, including a reality show about his life on VH1, Hogan Knows Best.

Hogan´s public persona transcended the ring, making him a household name. He appeared in numerous movies – including the third Rocky film in 1982, where he played wrestler Thunderlips, who took on Stallone’s protagonist.

In the 1980s, Hogan – known for his signature mustache and headscarf – was the driving force behind WWE’s rise from a regional promotion around New York to an international brand

Hogan later claimed the role had got him fired from the WWF – saying: ‘Back then, ‘78, ‘79, if you were a wrestler, you didn’t do TV. You didn’t go do a movie.’

The star reportedly put three men in the hospital while filming his fight scene.

But his legacy was tainted when he was chucked out of the WWE in 2015 after a tape surfaced of him making racist remarks, including the use of the n-word.

In a video made public by The National Enquirer, Hogan said: ‘I guess we’re all a little racist’ and used the n-word while referring to his daughter’s love life, and includes him repeating the phrase ‘f***ing n******’ several times.

According to Radar, the audio featured him using a number of racist remarks in a rant about his daughter Brooke who was trying to launch a music career, to Heather Clem, the wife of a friend.

He is reported to have said that ‘a black billionaire guy’ had offered to bankroll her, then speculated about her sex life’.

Hogan told Clem: ‘I don’t know if Brooke was f***ing the black guy’s son… I mean, I don’t have double standards.

‘I mean, I am a racist, to a point, f***ing n******. But then when it comes to nice people and s***, and whatever.’

More recently, Hogan became a celebrity endorser for Trump’s presidential campaign in the United States, which he went on to win

He continued: ‘I mean, I’d rather if she was going to f*** some n*****, I’d rather have her marry an 8-foot-tall n***** worth a hundred million dollars! Like a basketball player!

‘I guess we’re all a little racist. F***ing n*****.’

Back in 2015, Hogan told Good Morning America he was at an all-time low as he begged his former legion of fans to take him back.

‘Please forgive me,’ the 12-time world champ pleaded – both to America as a whole and to his daughter Brooke Hogan, whose boyfriend was the focus of the then 62 year old’s racist tirade.

‘If anybody should have disowned me it should have been her,’ said Hogan. ‘I was upset about something that happened between her and her boyfriend.’

Apologizing at the time, he told outlet People: ‘Eight years ago I used offensive language during a conversation.

‘It was unacceptable for me to have used that offensive language; there is no excuse for it; and I apologize for having done it.’

He won at least six WWE championships and was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005; seen in 1990

Hogan was also a celebrity outside the wrestling world, appearing in numerous movies and television shows, including a reality show about his life on VH1, Hogan Knows Best (pictured in 1984)

He would then in 2023 describe the controversy as ‘a speed bump’ and claimed it was ‘not who I was’

He was banished from WWE for three years before being welcomed back into the Hall of fame in 2018, having described the incident as the ‘biggest mistake’ of his life but many were not happy with his ‘apology’ when he was brought back.

In 2016, a Florida jury awarded Hogan $115 million in his sex tape lawsuit against Gawker Media. Hogan sued after Gawker in 2012 posted a video of him having sex with his former best friend´s wife. Hogan contended the post violated his privacy.

More recently, Hogan became a celebrity endorser for Trump’s presidential campaign in the United States, which he went on to win.

In January, Hogan ripped off his sleeves on Fox News as he went full ‘Trumpamania’ at the inaugural ball

In January, Hogan ripped off his sleeves on Fox News as he went full ‘Trumpamania’ at the inaugural ball.

In the wake of Hogan’s death, vice president JD Vance hailed the wrestler as a ‘great American icon’.

He wrote: ‘One of the first people I ever truly admired as a kid. The last time I saw him we promised we’d get beers together next time we saw each other. The next time will have to be on the other side, my friend! Rest in peace.’

Tributes from the sports world poured in for the man who transcended wrestling to become a 1980s pop culture icon.

Donald Trump Jr posted to X, ‘R.I.P to a legend’ and added a selfie of himself with the wrestling star.