Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Lifestyle
Clémence Michallon

Eddie Van Halen’s wife Janie Liszewski shares moving tribute after musician’s death: ‘ Saying goodbye is the hardest thing I had to do’

Photograph: Jerod Harris/Getty Images for George Lopez Foundation

Eddie Van Halen’s wife has shared a moving tribute for the musician following his death from cancer at the age of 65.

Janie Liszewski posted the message on Instagram on Wednesday, addressing Van Halen as “my husband, my love, my Peep”.

“My heart and soul have been shattered into a million pieces. I never knew it was possible to cry so many tears or feel such incredible sadness,” she wrote.

"Our journey together has not always been an easy one but in the end and always we have a connection and love that will always be.

“Saying goodbye is the hardest thing I have ever had to do so instead I say so long, I will see you again soon in a place with no pain or sorrow.”

Van Halen and Liszewski, a publicist, married in 2009 in Studio City, California.

Van Halen’s son Wolfgang, born from his previous marriage with Valerie Bertinelli, announced the musician’s death on Tuesday.

“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 wrote.

“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.”

Tributes have poured in for Van Halen, honouring his work and his impact on the history of rock music.

Bertinelli shared a message saying Van Halen gave her “the one true light in my life, our son, Wolfgang”, adding: “I’m so grateful Wolfie and I were able to hold you in your last moments.”

Lenny Kravitz, Ava DuVernay, Billy Idol, and many more have also shared tributes of their own. 

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.