Singer Cher has shared an emotional tribute to her ex-boyfriend Val Kilmer, who died yesterday aged 65 from pneumonia.
The news of the Top Gun star’s death was announced by his daughter, Mercedes Kilmer.
Taking to social media, Cher wrote: “VALUS Will miss u, U Were Funny, crazy, pain in the ass, GREAT FRIEND, kids U, BRILLIANT as Mark Twain, BRAVE here during ur sickness.” (sic)
Cher and Kilmer famously dated in the 1980s after meeting at a mutual friend’s birthday party.
The Hollywood couple were romantically involved for two years between 1982 and 1984.
Their relationship raised eyebrows at the time due to their 13-year age gap, with Cher being 36 whilst Kilmer was just 23.
VALUS
Will miss u,U Were Funny,crazy,pain in the ass,GREAT FRIEND,kids💜U,
BRILLIANT as Mark Twain,
BRAVE here during ur sickness
— Cher (@cher) April 2, 2025
The pair reportedly fell head over heels for each other despite the age difference.
In November last year, Cher, now 78, revealed that Kilmer was one of the “few” men to have broken her heart.
During an interview with Howard Stern on SiriusXM, when asked “Who would ever leave you?”, she replied: “Few men, few men. A couple. Look, I was madly in love with Val Kilmer and he left.”
She added that his “really young” age was a factor in their split.
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Kilmer himself wrote fondly of their relationship in his memoir, stating: “We both loved laughing and went on doing so for well over a year.”
He described Cher as trafficking “in intoxicating glamour”, adding that he, “a Valley boy, fell under her spell.”
When Kilmer’s health deteriorated, Cher was there for him, inviting him to stay at her guest house.
Kilmer recalled in his memoir: “One night, I suddenly awoke vomiting blood that covered the bed like a scene out of The Godfather. I prayed immediately then called 911. Then alerted my hostess. Cher stepped in and stepped up.”
Despite his grave condition, Cher managed to make him laugh during a medical emergency, showing their enduring connection.
Kilmer had also been in relationships with Cindy Crawford and Angelina Jolie before marrying Joanne Whalley in 1988.
The couple had two children together before divorcing in 1995.
Cher joins a long list of celebrities who’ve publicly shared their tributes to Kilmer in the hours after his death.
Frozen star Josh Gad penned on Instagram: “RIP Val Kilmer. Thank you for defining so many of the movies of my childhood. You truly were an icon. #valkilmer.”
While Josh Brolin also took to the social media site to share: “See ya, pal. I’m going to miss you. You were a smart, challenging, brave, uber-creative firecracker.
“There’s not a lot left of those. I hope to see you up there in the heavens when I eventually get there. Until then, amazing memories, lovely thoughts. #valkilmer #marktwain.”
And James Woods took to X with his tribute: “His rendition of Doc Holliday in Tombstone was what every actor dreams of achieving. So many wonderful performances. Sad to lose him so soon. RIP Val Kilmer.”
