The legendary rock guitarist Eddie Van Halen passed away on Tuesday at the age of 65 after a battle with cancer. Afterwards, Van Halen’s ex-wife Valerie Bertinelli took to social media to pay tribute to him.
Bertinelli first shared her and Van Halen’s 29 year-old son Wolfgang’s post about his father’s death.
“He was the best father I could ever ask for. Every moment I’ve shared with him on and off stage was a gift,” Wolfgang wrote. “My heart is broken and I don’t think I’ll ever fully recover from this loss. I love you so much, Pop.”
— Wolf Van Halen (@WolfVanHalen) October 6, 2020
Later in the day, the former “One Day At A Time” actress posted a tribute of her own to Van Halen.
“40 years ago my life changed forever when I met you,” Bertinelli tweeted. “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.”
— Valerie Bertinelli (@Wolfiesmom) October 6, 2020
Entertainment Tonight reported that Bertinelli and Van Halen married in 1981 and had their son Wolfgang a decade later in March of 1991. They went on to separate in 2001 before finally divorcing in 2007.
Bertinelli and Van Halen managed to stay amicable after their split, and she even rushed to his defense when it was reported that the reason Van Halen’s band had postponed some tour dates was because he was in rehab.
“The reports about him being in rehab are wrong. Eddie is sober,” Bertinelli said at the time. “He’s being proactive about his illness.”
“I talk to him about every other day. He wants to get back on tour,” she added.
Van Halen was first diagnosed with tongue cancer in 2000, and he managed to beat it by 2002. In 2019, however, it was revealed that Van Halen had secretly been battling throat cancer for five years. Sources said that his health went downhill fast in his final 72 hours, with doctors finding that his cancer had moved to his brain as well as other organs.
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