Let me tell you, it was a moment that truly touched the heart. On the season 28 premiere of Dancing With the Stars, the beloved reality TV show paid a heartfelt tribute to the late Valerie Harper. As the show wrapped up on Monday, September 16, the ballroom floor lit up with a glowing star etched with Valerie's name right in the center. It was a beautiful way to honor her memory and celebrate her legacy.
A Moment to Remember
This sweet tribute wasn’t just a star—it was so much more. Alongside the image of the Mirrorball Trophy, the screen displayed "Season 17," a nod to the season when Valerie herself was a competitor on the show. And guess what? Valerie's star wasn’t alone. It appeared next to another touching tribute for Florence Henderson, the late star of The Brady Bunch, who also graced the dance floor in Season 11 alongside Corky Ballas before her passing in November 2016. It was like a family reunion of sorts, bringing together the spirits of two remarkable women who left an indelible mark on the show.
Valerie Harper: A Fighter Until the End
Valerie Harper, who was first diagnosed with lung cancer back in 2009, joined the Dancing With the Stars cast as a celebrity dancer in 2013. Now, here's the thing: just months before she stepped onto that dance floor, the Rhoda actress was given the devastating news that she had only three months to live due to a rare form of brain cancer called leptomeningeal carcinomatosis. But guess what? Valerie wasn’t about to let that stop her. She defied the odds, and with her partner Tristan MacManus by her side, she danced her heart out that season, inspiring millions with her courage and resilience.
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As many of you know, the iconic actress passed away at the age of 80 on August 30. Her daughter, Cristina Cacciotti, shared the heartbreaking news on Twitter, relaying a message from her father, Tony Cacciotti: “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,” the message read. It’s a testament to the love and strength Valerie brought into the lives of those around her.
Tony Cacciotti: A Husband's Devotion
Before Valerie’s passing, Tony opened up about the challenges of caring for his wife during her battle with cancer. He spoke candidly about the difficulty of accepting her incurable disease and his unwavering commitment to her. “I have been told by doctors to put Val in hospice care, but I can’t—and I won’t—because of our 40 years of shared commitment to each other,” the The Longest Yard actor shared in a heartfelt Facebook post on his wife’s account. To help cover her medical expenses, Tony even launched a GoFundMe campaign in mid-July, hoping to ease the financial burden.
Despite the challenges, Tony admitted that their long fight against cancer had brought them closer together. “Our marriage has deepened,” he told Closer Weekly in July. “We have an extraordinarily strong friendship, and that’s the foundation of our union.” It’s clear that their love and partnership only grew stronger through the trials they faced.
We’re not the only ones moved by Dancing With the Stars’ sweet tribute to Valerie Harper. Her legacy lives on, inspiring all of us to embrace life with courage and grace.
