Hulk Hogan: Divorce & Son's Car Accident Almost Killed Me

Access Hollywood - October 27, 2009 11:53 AM PDT
Story photo: Hulk Hogan: Divorce & Son's Car Accident Almost Killed MeHulk Hogan appears on NBC's the 'Today' show on October, 27, 2009The Today ShowAccess Hollywood

NEW YORK, New York -- Hulk Hogan says he was close to taking his own life following his divorce with ex-wife Linda Hogan and his son's 2007 auto accident that left a family friend with severe brain injuries.

In his new memoir, "My Life Outside The Ring," Hogan says that son Nick's 2007 auto accident that left the young man's friend, John Graziano, with permanent brain injuries coupled with the crumbling of his 23-year marriage to wife Linda sent him into a rum and Xanax fueled spiral that almost killed him.

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"My son had this horrible accident with his best friend. My wife and I had a marriage that had been unraveling for a long time. It was a bad situation. All of a sudden I got into this downward spiral and stated thinking real negatively, Hogan said during an appearance on NBC's the "Today" show on Tuesday.

"When I went to the house, every room was empty," Hogan told "Today" co-host Meredith Vieira, recalling coming home after working on a South American version of "American Gladiators." "All my dogs and all the animals were gone. There were pictures of my family all over the house. Every closet I went in, all the clothes were gone. And it just came over me, it just happened. I just started sitting there and I was overwhelmed with depression."

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In the book, Hogan writes about holding a gun to his head and how he almost pulled the trigger - but a call from "Gladiators" co-star, Laila Ali saved him.

"All of a sudden the phone rang, and it was Laila, and she said, 'Hey, what's going on? You're on the set. You're all depressed. We're worried about you. You going to be OK?'" He said, recounting Laila's call. "She called with no agenda, just to say hi and check on me. It snapped me out of it. At that moment I switched gears. I got sick and tired of being sick and tired. Her voice saved my life, it really did."

Hogan says that despite a lawsuit from Graziano's family, which Hogan claims is worth more than he's made during his entire career, he remains positive about the road ahead.

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"It's been a tough couple of years," he told Meredith. "The way things are and the things people are going through, I just felt if I could survive through this and change my thinking and switch gears - I just wanted people to know that life is good. You don't have to run around with your head down. Stay positive. Stay happy... For me to change my thinking and be happier than I've ever been - just wanted people to know my story."

Related Content from AccessHollywood.com:
PLAY IT NOW: Access Exclusive: Laila Ali Says 'Divine Intervention' Saved Hulk Hogan's Life
PLAY IT NOW: Access Extended: Hulk Hogan Talks Nick's Homecoming

MORE ACCESS ON THESE TOPICS: Hulk Hogan - Linda Hogan - Meredith Vieira - NBC - Laila Ali

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comments 1-10 of 77  |< newest · < newer · older > · oldest >|  hide comments · post a comment
  • wayne
    WHEN I WAS RIDEING RACE HORSE'S BACK IN THE 60's...WE WENT FROM TRACK TO TRACK. WHEN I CAME BACK HOME TO FLORIDA ONE YEAR, I FOUND EVERYTHING IN THE HOUSE GONE....ALL OF MY WINNING PIC. BURNED...AND NO MONEY IN THE BANK. SO I HONESTLY KNOW HOW HULK HOGAN IS FEELING...HE IS A HONORABLE MAN AND WILL PULL OUT OF THIS..GOOD LUCK TO HIM.
    report abuseposted November 21, 2009 10:58 AM PST
  • Sky
    omg how bad i feel for him i maen almost killing his self
    report abuseposted October 28, 2009 5:12 PM PDT
  • JeciXA
    ______ I'm a single/ nice girl with perfect sexual stature, looking for a good man online to love. Feel free to view my hot photos by searching "JeciXA" at community called ____ A- f- -r- o- M- i- n- g- l- e . c- O- m ____which is the most popular club for black/white babes, white/black single men to meet / chat for fun, friends............
    report abuseposted October 28, 2009 3:37 PM PDT
  • Strippokur
    It's really sad when people sink to a level of suicide glad he pulled through and picked himself up.
    report abuseposted October 28, 2009 2:45 PM PDT
  • C. B.
    Yes, Linda was there to spend all of his money. She even wanted him to take more wrestling gigs way into his fifties to support "the lifestyle she' accustomed to" which of course, she never would have experienced if not for him. Glad they got divorced!!!! Hope he meets someone who's way better for him and loves him for himself.
    report abuseposted October 28, 2009 2:40 PM PDT
  • M22
    His wife is a HOE and his kids are %@!*#ups. I'd be depressed too. Hurray for hollywood.
    report abuseposted October 28, 2009 1:07 PM PDT
  • Brown Lobster
    The man IS BETTER OFF WITHOUT that TRASH he was married to. Hope shegets the SYPH from some younk Puke...
    report abuseposted October 28, 2009 12:59 PM PDT
  • PaulaS
    I feel bad for Hulk....he was treated very unfairly. hope things get better for him!
    report abuseposted October 28, 2009 12:51 PM PDT
  • Traci
    would be nice to see you make an appearance on Raw. They are doing guest hosts spots if you didnt want to make a wrestling appearance.
    report abuseposted October 28, 2009 12:24 PM PDT
  • sissyMOH
    __ I am a cute black girl with perfect sexy stature. =========== I am eager for a good man online. ===========All can view my crazy hot photos at ========= A f r o M i n g l e . c O m ===== by searching "SissyMOH". It is reported Bradley Cooper omet his big boobs girlfriend there.. at the begining of 2009
    report abuseposted October 28, 2009 11:35 AM PDT
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