Spanish-American singer Charo’s husband, Kjell Rasten, died by suicide Monday inside the couple's California home, his family said. He was 79.
Beverly Hills police said officers arrived at the couple's home after receiving a 911 call around 12:30 p.m. and found a man suffering with "life-threatening injuries. He was rushed to the hospital where he was pronounced dead just after 1 p.m. Charo, in a statement through her representatives, confirmed Rasten, her husband of 40 years, died and revealed the 79-year-old was suffering from health issues.
"Kjell, My husband of forty years and the love of my life killed himself. There are no words to describe what we are feeling now. He was an amazing man, a great husband and the best father I could imagine to our son. He dedicated his life to loving and supporting his family," the 68-year-old singer and actor said in the statement to Fox News. "In recent years, his health began to decline and he developed a rare and horrible skin disease called Bullous Pemphigoid."
"He also became very depressed. That, along with the many medications he needed to take, became too much for him, and he ended his suffering," she added.
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Charo said the suicide came as a shock to the family.
"None of us had any idea this could happen to such a wonderful, kind and generous man. Please, if anyone you know and love is suffering from depression or illness, hold them close, tell them you love them with all your heart and that the world is better because they are in it. Get any help you can. Suicide is not the answer," she said.
TMZ, who first reported the death, said Rasten died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Charo was home at the time of the incident, according to the gossip site.
Beverly Hills police said in a statement to Fox News that the Los Angeles County Coroner's Office will determine the cause of death.
Rasten became Charo’s manager shortly after they got married in 1978. He worked as a TV producer in the 1970s and 1980s.
The couple shares a son, actor and producer Shel Rasten.
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Charo, whose real name is Maria del Rosario Pilar Martinez Molina Baeza, rose to fame in the 1970s and is best known for her appearances on “The Love Boat,” "Laugh-In," “Fantasy Island,” “Thumbelina” and “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.”
Charo and Rasten appeared together in a 2015 episode of “Celebrity Wife Swap” with the 68-year-old actress’ former “Love Boat” co-star Jill Whelan.
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