"Cake Boss" star Buddy Valastro is mourning the loss of his mother after she died Thursday following a long battle against ALS.
The TLC host rushed to his mother’s side Wednesday after she took a turn for the worse, and she died in the early morning hours Thursday surrounded by her family, People reported.
Valastro’s rep told People, “Mary’s condition had been steadily worsening these past months, so it was not sudden but still extremely heartbreaking for the family. After eight years of fighting her battle with ALS, the family is relieved she is no longer suffering. Buddy and his sisters are absolutely crushed right now.”
Valastro posted a moving Instagram message to his fans about his mother’s death with a throwback photo of the two of them.
“She left for heaven this morning, surrounded by the family,” he wrote. “She is no longer suffering and I hope she’s dancing to 'I Will Survive' with my dad right now.”
Mary Valastro was born in Italy and immigrated to America with her family as a child. She owned Carlo’s Bakery in Hoboken, New Jersey, with her husband Bartolo Valastro until 1994 when he died of lung cancer and Buddy took over ownership of the bakery.
Mary appeared on early episodes of “Cake Boss” and helped Buddy with his books and other ventures, but she retired in 2012 as the ALS progressed.
Twitter users shared their condolences about the loss of Valastro's mother.