Just days after the sudden death of Luke Perry at the age of 52, his fiancee, Wendy Madison Bauer, is speaking out for the first time.
Bauer, 44, who used to act credited by the name Madison Bauer, had been secretly seeing Perry for nearly 12 years, though it is unclear when they were engaged.
‘I want to express my gratitude to everyone for the outpouring of love and support,’ Bauer told People in a statement.
Breaking her silence: Luke Perry’s financee Wendy Madison Bauer breaks her silence about his sudden death from a stroke at the age of 52
‘The countless, heartwarming stories of Luke’s generosity and kindness have been a great source of solace during this difficult time,’ Bauer continued.
‘The past 11½ years with Luke were the happiest years of my life, and I am grateful to have had that time with him,’ she continued.
‘I also want to thank his children, family, and friends for their love and support,’ she said, referencing Perry’s children, Jack, 21, and Sophie, 18, from his first wife Rachel Minnie Sharp.
Heartfelt statement: ‘The countless, heartwarming stories of Luke’s generosity and kindness have been a great source of solace during this difficult time,’ Bauer continued
‘We have found comfort in one another and in the knowledge that our lives were touched by an extraordinary man. He will be dearly missed,’ Bauer concluded.
While specifics about their relationship are unknown, Perry hit the red carpet with Bauer at the GLAAD Media Awards in April 2017.
Perry was married to his first wife Sharp from 1993 to 2003, with his children also recently opening up about their father’s death.
Perry and Bauer: While specifics about their relationship are unknown, Perry hit the red carpet with Bauer at the GLAAD Media Awards in April 2017
‘He was a lot of things to a lot of people. To me, he was always Dad. He loved and supported me in everything, and inspired me to be the best that I could possibly be,’ said Jack Perry, a professional wrestler under the name ‘Jungle Boy’ Nate Coy.
‘I’ve learned so much from you, and my heart is broken thinking about everything you won’t be here for,’ he continued.
‘I’ll miss you every day that I walk this earth. I’ll do whatever I can to carry on your legacy and make you proud. I love you Dad,’ Perry’s son concluded.
Happy couple: ‘We have found comfort in one another and in the knowledge that our lives were touched by an extraordinary man. He will be dearly missed,’ Bauer concluded
His daughter Sophie Perry also released a heartfelt statement following her father’s death, along with a photo of them together.
‘A lot has happened in this past week for me. Everything is happening so fast. I made it back from Malawi just in time to be here with my family, And in the past 24 hours I have received an overwhelming amount of love and support,’ she began.
‘I cannot individually respond to the hundreds of beautiful and heartfelt messages, but I see them, and appreciate you all for sending positivity to my family and I,’ she continued.
‘I’m not really sure what to say or do in this situation, it’s something you aren’t ever given a lesson on how to handle, especially when it’s all happening in the public eye. So bear with me and know that I am grateful for all the love. Just, being grateful quietly,’ she concluded.’
Sophie and Luke: His daughter Sophie Perry also released a heartfelt statement following her father’s death, along with a photo of them together