Cher issues emotional statement to ex Val Kilmer following his death aged 65

Val Kilmer's ex-partner Cher has issued a heartfelt statement after the actor's death was announced earlier today (2 April).

It was the Batman Forever star's daughter, Mercedes Kilmer, who broke the news of his passing, telling the New York Times that her father had died of pneumonia the day prior. He was aged just 65.

Kilmer had also been diagnosed with throat cancer in 2014, but later recovered after undergoing both radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Kilmer also underwent tracheostomy, which damaged his vocal cords.

Tributes to the actor have since come streaming in from several huge-name stars.

The actor's death was announced this week (EuropaNewswire/Gado/Getty Images)

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."

Josh Brolin, son of James Brolin, also admitted was going to miss his 'pal'.

"You were a smart, challenging, brave, uber-creative firecracker," the actor wrote in his own sweet message. "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."

Cher is the latest star to have issued an honorary message about her former flame.

Taking to X, the singer penned: "VALUS - Will miss u, U Were Funny, crazy, pain in the a**, GREAT FRIEND, kids [heart] U, BRILLIANT as Mark Twain, BRAVE here during ur sickness."

The pair dated during the 1980s after meeting at a mutual friend's birthday party and allegedly falling head over heels.

They were romantically involved for two years, between 1982 and 1984.

Their 13-year age-gap raised several eyebrows at the time, being that the 'Believe' hit-maker was 36, while Kilmer was just 23.

In November of last year, Cher, now 78, described the Top Gun star as one of the 'few' men to have broken her heart.

Cher and Val Kilmer dated in the 80s (Arturo Holmes/Getty Images for The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame)

"Who would ever leave you?" radio host Howard Stern asked her on SiriusXM to which 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.

The actor previously wrote in his memoir of the musician: "We both loved laughing and went on doing so for well over a year.

"Cher trafficked in intoxicating glamour and I, a Valley boy, fell under her spell."

Cher also told People Magazine of their relationship in 2021: "He's like nobody I've ever known.

"He is exasperating and hysterical. Thrilling and funny, and doesn't do what anyone else does."

She added: "Our sense of humour, and what we would put up with from one another, was more than I think I've ever had with any other guy. He would just go off and do his own thing and you just had to be prepared.

"And he was so beautiful. It went from madly in love and laughing hysterically to respecting each other's ability."