Eddie Van Halen’s ex-wife Valerie Bertinelli mourns his heartbreaking death
Valerie Bertinelli has paid tribute to Eddie Van Halen after their friendship continued despite their 26-year marriage ending in 2007 describing him as “my love”
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The death of Eddie Van Halen has been mourned by his ex-wife Valerie Bertinelli, after they remained ‘dear friends’ following the end of their 26-year marriage.
The renowned rocker passed away at the age of 65 after an “arduous” fight with throat cancer.
Valerie, 60, took to social media to share her thoughts at his heartbreaking death, saying that she will always be “grateful” for being to able to “hold you in your last moments”.
In a statement posted on social media, Valerie wrote: “40 years ago my life changed forever when I met you.
“You gave me the one true light in my life, our son, Wolfgang. 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.”
She also shared the touching tribute to Eddie from their son Wolfgang Van Halen, while she looked for her own words to describe her feelings.
Wolfgang, 29, is the bassist in his father’s band and he shared the sad news on Monday that he had lost his long battle with cancer.
In a statement posted to social media, Wolfgang 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.”
Wolfgang continued: “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’ll ever fully recover from this loss. I love you so much, Pop.”
He included a smiling photo of Eddie for fans to remember him by.
Valerie and Eddie enjoyed a long friendship despite divorcing after 26 years of marriage.
They tied the knot in 1981 and even though they split in 2007, their friendship remained strong and they attended each others’ weddings.
Eddie married former stuntwoman Janie Liszewski in 2009 while Valerie walked down the aisle with financial planner Tom Vitale in 2011.
Valerie and Eddie met in 1980 when she went with her brothers to a Van Halen gig in the hope that she might get backstage afterwards.
Speaking to Oprah Winfrey in 2008, Valerie said: “I took a look at the 8-track cassette that was in the back of my Corvette, and I saw a picture of Ed, and I went, ‘Oh, yeah, I’ll be going. He’s a cutie.'”
She said that “you had to peel me off the floor,” after she saw Eddie play and he asked her out a few days later.
Valerie said: “We never separated from then on.”
They separated in 2001 after Valerie had an affair but it took until 2007 for their divorced to he settled.
Eddie was diagnosed with tongue cancer in 2000 and had to have part of it removed. Unfortunately the cancer came back in his throat.
He reportedly flew back and forth to Germany from the United States to have radiation treatment, during the last five years of his life.
Valerie visited her ex-husband quite often during his cancer battle and he reportedly died at St John’s Hospital in Santa Monica, surrounded by loved ones.
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