Hulk Hogan Contemplated Suicide During His Divorce

Wrestler Hulk Hogan performs on the court during a timeout at Game Four of the 2009 NBA Finals between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Orlando Magic on June 11, 2009 at Amway Arena in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Hulk Hogan (Getty Images)more pics »Hullk Hogan says a phone call from legendary boxer Muhammad Ali's daughter Laila saved him from pulling the trigger while he was going through his divorce, right around the time his son Nick got in a huge car accident. The wrestler and reality star wrote in his new book My Life Outside the Ring that if it weren't for that phone call from his Gladiators co-star, he'd no longer be here. She just happened to call that night because she thought he looked distracted at work and wanted to check up on him.

The Hogan family. (Getty Images)
Hulk, whose real name is Terry Bollea, wrote: "Then I noticed the gun in my hand. I was careless with it… I kept my finger pressed right to that trigger… and if I moved that finger an inch in the right direction I would have blown my brains out.”

At the time, the Hulk was going through a messy divorce with his wife of 23 years, Linda, and Nick had just gotten in a huge accident that wound him up in jail for 8 months for reckless driving. His friend got permanent brain damaged in the collision.

The boisterous blond's family life was falling apart and being made public, especially thanks to their reality TV show Hogan Knows Best. But, the wrestler said what wasn't exposed on the show was his ex-wife's drinking problem. He said: "There were plenty of times when Linda would lose it, but no one wanted to see that kind of ugliness on TV."

Hulk, 56, managed to get through it though, although it's not all easy even now. He's spoken out against Linda for choosing to date Charlie Hill, a student 29 years her junior after their split. Charlie attended the same high school as Nick, 19, and the couple’s daughter, Brooke, 21.

Hulk felt “humiliated” to live in Tampa, Florida, and see his car driven by the teenager, but eventually he “took the high road” and “turned to Christ."

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