UPDATE: Billionaire Elon Musk Announces He Will Pay Legendary Athlete Hulk Hogan’s Funeral Costs — “He Was a True Friend of Me”!
In a move that has taken the world by surprise and stirred emotions across generations, tech mogul Elon Musk announced on Tuesday that he will personally cover the funeral expenses of wrestling icon Hulk Hogan, calling the late superstar “a true friend of me.”
The announcement came just hours after news of Hogan’s passing at age 71 broke across media outlets. The larger-than-life wrestler, born Terry Gene Bollea, had been battling a series of undisclosed health complications in recent years. Though his family has not released an official cause of death, sources close to the Hogan household confirm he passed away peacefully at his home in Clearwater, Florida.
As tributes poured in from fans, wrestlers, and celebrities around the globe, it was Elon Musk’s unexpected post on X (formerly Twitter) that turned heads and tugged at heartstrings.
“I just lost a hero. Hulk wasn’t just a legend — he was a true friend of me. I will personally cover all his funeral expenses. Rest easy, brother.”
The message was simple, heartfelt, and deeply personal — quickly amassing millions of likes, shares, and comments from a stunned online community. Many didn’t even know the two men were close.
But as it turns out, Musk and Hogan had shared a unique and quietly enduring friendship behind the scenes.
A Friendship Few Knew About
Though publicly from very different worlds — one a space-faring entrepreneur and innovator, the other a flamboyant professional wrestler with a cult-like following — Musk and Hogan reportedly bonded over a shared love of old-school American grit, performance culture, and pushing the limits.
Insiders say their friendship began in the late 2000s after a chance meeting at a charity event in Miami. “Elon was fascinated by how Terry built a brand around raw charisma,” said a close friend of Hogan’s. “And Hulk? He admired how Elon broke rules and dared to dream. They saw reflections of each other.”
Over the years, they exchanged messages frequently, and Hogan was even rumored to be among the early private testers of Tesla’s Cybertruck. Musk, on the other hand, often cited Hogan’s 1980s dominance in WWF as “the most effective branding of physical heroism in media history.”
Despite their bond, the two kept their relationship largely private. Hogan’s final public mention of Musk was in a podcast last year, where he jokingly said, “If I had Elon’s brains and my biceps, I’d have conquered Mars by now, brother!”
Fans React With Emotion and Gratitude
News of Musk’s gesture sent waves across the internet. Hashtags like #RIPHogan and #ThankYouElon began trending within hours.
“He didn’t have to do that. It shows you the kind of man Musk is,” one fan posted. Another wrote, “Hulk Hogan made my childhood. Elon Musk just gave him the send-off he deserves.”
Even public figures chimed in. Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson called the move “a powerful sign of honor and loyalty,” and WWE issued a statement recognizing Musk’s contribution as “a rare and touching tribute from one legend to another.”
What’s Next?
According to Musk’s spokesperson, he is working directly with Hogan’s family to plan “a funeral befitting a cultural titan.” There are discussions about holding the memorial service at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida — where thousands of fans would be invited to pay their final respects.
Musk also revealed he intends to fund a memorial statue of Hogan in Clearwater, to be erected near the beach where the wrestler often greeted fans and trained.
“Elon wants people to remember Hulk not just as a wrestler, but as a symbol of determination, strength, and unapologetic personality,” the spokesperson said.
A Legacy That Transcends the Ring
Hulk Hogan wasn’t just a wrestler — he was an American icon. From headlining WrestleMania to starring in films and Saturday morning cartoons, he helped shape the pop culture of an entire generation. His famous catchphrase — “Whatcha gonna do when Hulkamania runs wild on you?” — became a battle cry for millions of fans around the world.
Though controversies shadowed parts of his later career, Hogan remained a figure of fascination, nostalgia, and inspiration for millions. And now, thanks to Musk’s heartfelt gesture, his final chapter is being written with dignity and grandeur.
In a time when celebrity tributes can feel hollow, Elon Musk’s personal decision to honor his fallen friend — not with a tweet, but with action — may just remind us of the value of loyalty, remembrance, and brotherhood.
Rest in peace, Hulk Hogan. You will be missed.
