Mary Tyler Moore's husband, Dr. S. Robert Levine, breaks his silence on her death

Mary Tyler Moore's husband, Dr. S. Robert Levine, broke his silence in a heartbreaking statement to People magazine for its upcoming tribute to the late acting legend.

Levine, who was Moore's third husband, married the former star of "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" in 1983, one year after treating her mother for bronchitis. They were married for 33 years, and he was Moore's third husband.

SEE ALSO: Mary Tyler Moore's cause of death revealed

In his statement to People, Levine expresses his disbelief that the love of his life is no longer with us and calls attention to the profound impact that she had one millions of people around the world:

"I can't believe she is gone. Mary was my life, my light, my love. The emptiness I feel without her with me is without bottom. She was a force of nature who fiercely defended her autonomy even as her health was failing. Mary was fearless, determined, and willfull. If she felt strongly about something, or that there was truth to be told, she would do it, no matter the consequences. She was kind, genuine, approachable, honest, and humble. And she had that smile. Oh, to see her smile that smile, just once more. ... My sadness is only tempered by the remarkable outpouring of good wishes, tributes, and personal 'Mary stories' told, with heart, by those touched by her grace. As long as we all remember her, talk about her, share our stories about her, and what she meant to us, her light will never go out."

See photos of the couple together:

Levine's statement comes just one day after his late wife's official cause of death was revealed. Though her death was attributed to cardiopulmonary arrest, her death certificate also cited aspiration pneumonia, hypoxia and diabetes mellitus as contributing factors in her death. Levine was by her side when she passed.

Levine and Moore got married on the day before Thanksgiving in 1983, and her "Mary Tyler Moore Show" costar Valerie Harper told People back then that "he makes her feel cherished [and she is] filled with joy because she and Robert are friends as well as loving each other."

Moore had previously been married to Richard Meeker and Grant Tinker.

See photos of Mary Tyler Moore through the years:

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