VIDEO: Hulk Hogan’s Supportive Parents Were ‘Very Proud’ of His Wrestling Success

No matter which WWE ring he stepped into, Hulk Hogan always had two people in his corner: his supportive parents, Ruth & Peter Bollea. In a throwback TikTok video, Mean Gene Okerlund interviewed the couple about their son. It was 1994, and Hogan was getting ready to compete against Ric Flair in a highly anticipated cage match for WCW’s Halloween Havoc.

“We’re very proud of him,” Ruth said of Hogan’s success. “What comes sweet in life takes a lot of struggling to achieve your goal, and Terry’s sure done that.” His parents periodically attended wrestling matches to cheer him on from the sidelines.

Hogan Came From Humble Beginnings

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Although he achieved staggering wealth later in life, Hogan wasn’t born with a silver spoon in his mouth. “I grew up not knowing that we didn’t have money,” the WWE star explained to Theo Von in a 2023 interview. “My mom was a housewife, my dad worked construction.” He could have followed in his father’s footsteps, but Hogan envisioned a different life for himself.

At the time of their 1994 interview, Ruth and Peter still lived in Hogan’s childhood home. However, as they explained to Mean Gene, that was by choice. “My son has bought us a beautiful condo, he’s kept us in Cadillacs and Lincolns,” Ruth shared. Hogan was clearly treating his growing fortune as a tool to improve his family’s lives.

The WWE Star Named Family as a Top Priority

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Hogan joined his parents in the interview at one point, and it was clear the trio had a close connection. “I like to touch base a lot,” Hogan said of his relationship with his parents, describing family as his number one priority. “Sometimes I come back here just to steal a little energy,” he said. He then showed Mean Gene the many, many photos his parents had displayed from throughout his early career.

“There’s a reason for fighting now,” Hogan said of the impact that visiting the home had on him. “Part of the reason I work so hard is because I want to make sure I have a place for my family to be proud of,” he said. Peter passed away in 2001, and Ruth in 2010, but they were able to witness the height of their son’s wrestling success. Hogan passed away on July 24, 2025 at 71 years old, leaving behind a family of his own.