Valerie Bertinelli pays tribute to TV mom Bonnie Franklin

Actress VALERIE BERTINELLI has been left heartbroken by the death of her TV mom BONNIE FRANKLIN, who lost her battle with cancer on Friday (01Mar13).

The pair grew close after co-starring on 1970s sitcom One Day at a Time, in which Franklin portrayed the divorced mother of a young Bertinelli and Mackenzie Phillips, and the pals reunited on Bertinelli's new show Hot in Cleveland in 2011.

The 52 year old has now paid tribute to the TV veteran in a touching statement, which reads: "My heart is breaking. Bonnie has always been one of the most important women in my life and was a second mother to me.

"The years on One Day at a Time were some of the happiest of my life, and along with Pat (Harrington Jr.) and Mackenzie we were a family in every way. She taught me how to navigate this business and life itself with grace and humor, and to always be true to yourself. I will miss her terribly."