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Wrestler Hogan's Wife Wants Out Of Marriage
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Published: November 24, 2007
CLEARWATER - The wife of professional wrestler Hulk Hogan has filed for divorce, the latest chapter in a year of turmoil for the family.
Linda Marie Bollea, 46, filed divorce papers Tuesday in a Pinellas County civil claims court, records show. She has been married to Terry Gene Bollea, 53, more famously known as Hulk Hogan, for 24 years. The couple have two children, Brooke, 19, and Nick, 17.
Family members could not be reached for comment Friday night.
Rumors of the Bolleas' marital meltdown have kept bloggers buzzing for months. The New York Post's gossip column, Page Six, ran a story in April about the couple's relationship, under the headline, "Rough Round for the Hogans."
Linda Bollea's divorce filing comes two weeks after son Nick was arrested by authorities and charged with reckless driving involving serious bodily injury and cited for using a motor vehicle in the commission of a felony, driving with illegal window tint and driving as a minor with a breath-alcohol level of 0.02 or higher.
Nick Bollea's 1998 Toyota Supra hit a curb, crossed two traffic lanes and struck a palm tree in Clearwater on Aug. 28. Several witnesses said Bollea was street racing a friend who was driving a Dodge Viper owned by Hulk Hogan, according to authorities.
John Graziano, 22, was riding with Bollea and was critically injured in the wreck. Graziano, a Marine veteran of the Iraq war, was left with "minimal brain wave activity," according to court documents.
Bollea was taken to the Pinellas County Jail on Nov. 7, where he was released within hours after posting $10,000 bail. If convicted of the reckless driving charge, he faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison.
With no criminal record, the maximum penalty is unlikely. The remaining charges are infractions that could result in a fine and loss of license.
Since 1992, the Bolleas have lived in a 17,000-square-foot home in Bellaire.
The family's lives have been taped for reality television show "Hogan Knows Best," which is in its fourth season.
HULK HOGAN BIO
•Born Terrence Gene Bollea in 1953 in Augusta, Ga., but raised in Tampa
•Attended the University of South Florida, but spent most of his time in the gym
•Was introduced to renown wrestling trainer Hiro Matsuda in 1976
•Became so famous as a wrestler that he won a role in the 1982 movie "Rocky III." His appearance in the film sparked a decade of what became known as "Hulkamania."
•Hit low point of his career as a professional wrestler in the mid-1990s when he testified about using steroids early in his career and the use of them by other wrestlers at the time
•Married his wife Linda in 1983; they have two children, Brooke, 19 and Nick, 17
Sources: Tribune archives, public records and "Hollywood Hulk Hogan" by Hulk Hogan (Simon & Schuster, 2002).
Tribune researcher Michael Messano contributed to this report. Reporter Ray Reyes can be reached at (813) 865-4433 or rreyes@tampatrib.com.
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Reader Comments
Posted by ( anne02 ) on November 24, 2007 at 1:26 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
What a shame. It's sad when a long standing marriage end.With the holidays here. Best wishes to everyone
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Posted by ( masterzvoice ) on November 24, 2007 at 2:47 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Actually, there is nothing wrong with money as long as you use it and it not use you.
The scriptures actually state that it is "... the love of money is the root of all evil." Not money in and of itself.
I think Hulk's wife has got real issues and is out of control.
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Posted by ( masterzvoice ) on November 24, 2007 at 3:10 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
So they moved into a $12 million estate in Miami Beach? What were they thinking?
Like idiots they bought hight and now can no longer afford her out of control spending ... so she now wants to bail?
She acts like a 13 year old girl and needs to GROW UP!
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Posted by ( passa ) on November 24, 2007 at 8:42 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
To wigginbear2,
If you're going to qoute it, quote it right: The LOVE OF MONEY is the root of all evil.
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Posted by ( MrShrek ) on November 24, 2007 at 9:44 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Actually, could be a stratagy to help preserve some of their assets which will be in jeopardy due to the pending lawsuit. Scenerio: T and L claim divorce, Tie up assets and funds so no one can touch them, settle out of court based on an estimated bottom line, then "reconcile" after paperwork is signed. This is purely speculation of course, but plausable. Think about it folks.
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Posted by ( gizzmo97 ) on November 24, 2007 at 11:55 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Someone just said it best,its over Hulk"
Take what money you have left forget Junior and the X and move on.
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Posted by ( scottfwtx ) on November 24, 2007 at 2:57 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Linda's getting out while the going is good.
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Posted by ( DennyCrane ) on November 25, 2007 at 8:30 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
PMartinelli I am not debating that you do not have a right to your opinion but what did the Hulkster ever do to harm you? Why such a negative attitude towards a man who has done so much for charity? And for the other posters who know what is going on between husband and wife here I am honored to know you are all personal friends of the couple and know everything which is going on in their personal lives. I am happy to see that you all got together and posted. What an honor.
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Posted by ( tballinger ) on November 25, 2007 at 9:50 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Has anyone else reported PMartinelli?
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Posted by ( SpringHillSue ) on November 25, 2007 at 10:25 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
It is very sad when two people that have been together this long decide to call it quits. I hope that she finds the happiness she is looking for, or that they can find a happy resolution to this. This is the time when they need each other the most. Linda, Terry, if you read this, I am praying for you and your children. I have two teen daughters that are very difficult to raise, I can' t imagine what it is like to raise two kids in public, as you do. God's speed to you both and your kids. My prayers are also with the Graziano family for their son...
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Posted by ( Rtrenaman ) on November 25, 2007 at 10:32 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Maybe Hogan is gay? The Steroids may have done it.
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Posted by ( bellesbabygirl72 ) on November 25, 2007 at 10:46 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
PMartinelli......I'm a female but if I lived in Florida still I would gladly meet you to kick your big mouth as$. You are an idiot......a total idiot who needs his as$ kicked to learn NOT to start fights online that you know you can't finish so shut the hel* up and let people post who actually have something useful to say.
I think that there is a great theory behind what MrShrek said but I think it is a terrible thing for either party to do. That man, even if I think he was wrong to get in the car with Nick, deserves to be cared for! He didn't ask to get put in a coma regardless of who is to blame and I don't think the State of Florida should have to take care of him while Hulk's family plays games. They have played enough games already. It is time to grow-up, step up to the plate and do the RIGHT thing during all of this. Take care of John and forget about yourselves. It is NO longer about Hulk, Nick, Linda......it is about an accident that caused another human being to need a lot of good medical care to live any quality of life that I would want for anyone regardless of the cause of the problem.
I think people need to stop focusing on the Hulk, what is going to happen to his spoiled brat kid because he WILL get his someday, and start focusing on the other person involved. Dam* this guy's family is fighting over who is going to care for him....mom or dad......how sad is that?
Who gives a crap what happens to Hulk's family right now? They need to step out of the spotlight and have benefits and things for John!!
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Posted by ( reptaddict ) on November 25, 2007 at 10:57 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
There are two types of stupid people in this world. There are the stupid people who know they're stupid and keep their mouths shut. Then there are the stupid people who are too stupid to recognize that they're stupid. They continuously have something to say to demonstrate their stupidity to everyone. Every day tbo.com is flooded with type #2.
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Posted by ( robertj1954 ) on November 25, 2007 at 12:43 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
I am not so sure that divorce strategy would work in court. I am not a lawyer, but it would seem they both are parties in any pending litigation from that accident. How would a divorce stop the law suit and block access to their assets?
I would like to see a legal opinion on that strategy, it would be enlightening
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Posted by ( Disgusted ) on November 25, 2007 at 2:26 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
HMMMM...seems like a legal strategy is in the works, lets divorce move some money around, secure OUR ASSESTS!!! What a shame they cant just step up and take their punishments and hope that John Graziano recovers, thats who its all about anyway, NOT THEM!! I guess they see a very bleak future now that they will be held liable in many areas of this case... so why not divorce and deceive everyone just to protect themselves!! What a disgrace!
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Posted by ( k_j751 ) on November 25, 2007 at 5:54 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Terry, what did you expect from a golddigger? Once the good times run out, they take what's left and leave you broke. You spoiled her all these years when you were making the cash, now this is your reward. And, in all honesty, she isn't good looking, what were you thinking?
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Posted by ( robbie6161971 ) on November 25, 2007 at 7:43 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
i think it a rotten shame what linda hogan is doing she had it made know look she wont get nothing......so she should think twice at what she is doing rise up and smell the coffee lady get real
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Posted by ( spicerak ) on November 26, 2007 at 8:17 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
well i think hulk might be leaving her,she isnt the nicest person, maybe he wants some young action
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Posted by ( NEDLY ) on November 26, 2007 at 8:35 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
bellesbaby
sounds like you want to start something
now you are against Nick but in all the storues about Nick you defended him and his family
HIPOCRITE
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Posted by ( spicerak ) on November 26, 2007 at 9:26 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
mr shreck they wanted a divorce long before the accident also the money can not be altered after the crime scene they will have to pay no matter what
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Posted by ( brianw73 ) on November 26, 2007 at 11:47 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
These comments make me laugh. A lot of people talk like you know them personally. Just because they are on a "reality" show doesn't mean that you know the first thing about what really goes on in their lives. People divorce EVERY day, especially rich and famous people. Accept it and stop judging people you don't know.
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Posted by ( GrdnofEden ) on November 26, 2007 at 2:28 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
I'd be willing to bet that she is getting out and taking as much as she can to protect the money incase they get sued. It's probably a family plan for self preservation, that way if he gets sued, they still have some money left. Either that or she's getting out while the getting is good.
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