Valerie Bertinelli has paid a touching tribute to her late ex-husband Eddie Van Halen.
The legendary American-Dutch rock star Eddie Van Halen has passed away at the age of 65 after a long battle with cancer that had reportedly spread to his brain.
As TMZ confirmed, the Van Halen band’s founder and guitarist passed away in the presence of his loved ones including wife Janie, brother Alex, and son Wolfgang.
Now, Bertinelli, the American actress best known for playing Barbara Cooper Royer in American sitcom One Day at a Time, has also confirmed that she, too, was by Eddie’s side when he died even though the couple separated decades ago.
Bertinelli and Halen tied the knot in 1981 while the actress was still on the One Day at a Time. Two decades later, in 2001, the couple had parted ways before officially divorcing in 2007.
“40 years ago my life changed forever when I met you. You gave me the one true light in my life, our son, Wolfgang,” 60-year-old Bertinelli said in a tribute to the late rocker.
“Through all your challenging treatments for lung cancer, you kept your gorgeous spirit and that impish grin.
“I’m so grateful Wolfie and I were able to hold you in your last moments. I will see you in our next life my love.”
Paying a tribute to the legendary guitarist was also his son, Wolfgang, who wrote:
“I can’t believe I’m having to write this but my father, Edward Lodewijk Van Halen, has lost his long and arduous battle with cancer this morning.
“He was the best father I could ever ask for. Every moment I’ve shared with him on and off stage was a gift… My heart is broken and I don’t think I will ever fully recover from this loss.”
According to TMZ, Van Halen’s condition had worsened in the final days of his life, whereas his throat cancer reportedly spread to his brain and throughout his body.
The legendary rock star was best known for founding the Van Halen band together with his drummer brother Alex back in 1972.
The rock band’s classic lineup included Eddie Van Halen as the guitarist, Alex Van Halen as the drummer, Michael Anthony as the bassist, and David Lee Roth as the vocalist.
In 2007, following decades of successful performing, Van Halen was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
The group remains one of the world’s most popular rock bands with all-time US album sales surpassing the 56 million mark and two of their albums hitting the ‘Diamond’ status.
Replaced!