Eddie Van Halen, one of the biggest selling artists of all time died this week aged 65, following a battle with throat cancer.
The rockstar who was born in Amsterdam but later moved to California with his family aged 7 co-founded the band, Van Halen, with brother Alex, singer David Lee Roth and bass player Michael Anthony back in 1974.
Eddie’s passing was confirmed on social media by his son, Wolfgang, who said: “My father, Edward Lodewijk Van Halen, has lost his long and arduous battle with cancer this morning.”
It’s believed that the icon was surrounded by family, including wife Janie, 50, at St. John’s Hospital in Santa Monica when he sadly passed away.
He is survived by his second wife, Janie Liszewski, a former stuntwoman and adult film publicist.
Janie Liszewski is believed to have been at Eddie Van Halen’s side as he passed away (Image: Getty Images North America)
Despite making a name for herself in the film industry with credits for her stunts including Spider-Man 2 and The Wedding Planner, Janie also boasted an impressive career in PR.
She also starred in From Dusk Til Dawn and CSI: Miami.
Janie is also said to have worked as a publicist in the adult entertainment industry.
The pair married in 2009 at a private ceremony (Image: GC Images)
However, after stepping away from the big screen, Janie became Eddie’s personal publicist in 2007.
Janie, married the rockstar in 2009 after he got down on one knee during a romantic break to Hawaii in 2008.
Eddie who had publicly battled a drug and alcohol addiction celebrated their wedding reception with a booze-free bash.
Janie worked as Eddie’s publicist after leaving her acting career (Image: AFF/PA Images)
After saying goodbye to his rockstar ways, he is believed to have treated guests to mini hamburgers candy necklaces and a non-alcoholic lemonade bar,
Speaking at the time of their engagement, an insider told People: “They are devoted to each other and to experiencing life in a whole new, positive and passionate way.”
Eddie opened up about his battle with alcoholism in 2015, saying he began drinking vodka aged 12 when a school teacher told him to not drink anything that isn’t transparent.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
