Actress Valerie Harper is best known for her roles in “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” and its spin-off, “Rhoda.”
Sadly, just eight days after celebrating her 80th birthday, the legendary entertainer passed away on August 30. Her passing comes after long battles with multiple illnesses including “leptomeningeal carcinomatosis, lung cancer, and brain cancer,” according to People.
Now, Harper’s 40-year-old daughter, Cristina Cacciotti, is speaking out. Shortly after her beloved mother’s death, Cristina took to Twitter to share a statement made by her father and Harper’s husband of 32 years, filmmaker Anthony Cacciotti.
My dad has asked me to pass on this message: “My beautiful caring wife of nearly 40 years has passed away at 10:06am, after years of fighting cancer.
She will never, ever be forgotten. Rest In Peace, mia Valeria. -Anthony.”
— Cris (@cristicacci) August 30, 2019
She wrote:
My dad has asked me to pass on this message: ‘My beautiful caring wife of nearly 40 years has passed away at 10:06 a.m., after years of fighting cancer. She will never, ever be forgotten. Rest In Peace, mia Valeria. — Anthony.
The actress’s passing comes over a month after doctors encouraged Anthony to put his wife into hospice in July.
Message from Tony CacciottiI have been told by doctors to put Val in Hospice care and I can’t [because of our 40 years…
Publicado por Valerie Harper en Martes, 23 de julio de 2019
He wrote in a Facebook post shared on Harper’s verified account that he decided against the doctor’s suggestion:
“I have been told by doctors to put Val in Hospice care and I can’t [because of our 40 years of shared commitment to each other] and I won’t because of the amazing good deeds she has graced us with while she’s been here on earth.”
He continued:
We will continue going forward as long as the powers above allow us, I will do my very best in making Val as comfortable as possible.
There are two special ANGELS on this planet masquerading as humans who live and work together, that have made it possible to have all of Val’s needs taken care of.
For those of you who have been in this position, you will totally understand that “it’s hard letting go.” So as long as I’m able and capable, I’ll be where I belong right beside her.
Many, many thanks for your outpouring of kindness and support. Tony
And shortly after sharing her father’s statement, Cristina also retweeted a fan who shared the top three things Harper has taught over the years:
Valerie Harper taught me how to 1) tie a head scarf 2) be a better mom 3) believe in infinite possibilities. Take a moment this weekend to dwell on the positive and loving because I think that is what she would do.
Rest in peace, Valerie Harper.