Bruce left us quietly and in peace... it was just the way he wanted it
Wife Wilnelia speaks for first time about star’s final days
3,500 people, is one venue the family is said to be considering. Wilnelia – who was Miss Puerto Rico before being crowned Miss World in 1975 – said the couple had such fond memories of her home country that she is even considering holding a second memorial service there. “Bruce loved Wilnelia and Sir Bruce who married in 1983 Puerto Rico,” she said. “And that is why, as soon as we have all the details of what we will do in London, we will plan something on the island. “I want to thank my beautiful Puerto Rico for all the shows of affection and solidarity at this moment,” she said in an interview with a local reporter. Last week Sir Bruce’s daughter Debbie Matthews, 64, also paid tribute to her late father and thanked fans for their support. After receiving thousands of messages on Facebook, she wrote: “Thank you so much for the many messages of condolences, we are truly heartbroken. “The tributes paid to my father in the last few days have helped us tremendously Ailing Bruce asked wife to nurse him
through this very difficult time.
“It’s been humbling and comforting to us to realise just how much he was loved and how many lives he touched.”
Sir Bruce’s close pal, golfing partner and comedy legend Jimmy Tarbuck, said yesterday he hoped the family would have space to come to terms with his death.
He said: “I’ve spoken to his family but I haven’t visited.
“It’s their grieving time. They don’t need me round there.
“He was a national treasure. That title has been put on a lot of people, but he did deserve it. He had the greatest career of anybody in my business, bar none.”
There have even been calls for Sir Bruce to be honoured with a statue at the BBC.
WIFE WILNELIA ON HIS FINAL MOMENTS
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