Johnny Ruffo’s girlfriend Tahnee Sims shares heartbreaking tribute and unseen candid footage after his death at age 35
Tahnee Sims was by Johnny Ruffo’s side when he died of brain cancer on November 10 at the age of 35.
Just over a week later, the longtime friend shared her grief online, posting a video montage to Instagram of some of the couple’s candid moments.
She added a heartbreaking caption to the clip, writing simply, “An everlasting love.”
In the video you see how the couple enjoys life to the fullest, drinking cocktails and swimming together on holiday.
They go skiing, sailing and traveling to beautiful beaches, always hugging close and clearly in love with each other.
Tahnee Sims was by Johnny Ruffo’s side when he died of brain cancer on November 10 at the age of 35. Take a photo together
The footage shows Johnny in healthier times, singing and dancing in the couple’s bedroom, sharing dinners and spas with his love.
It is a portrait of a couple in love, with the shadow of Johnny’s illness appearing far away in their happier moments.
The actor and singer died peacefully with his family and beloved partner Tahnee by his side in a Sydney hospital after a long battle with brain cancer.
“It is with heavy hearts that we had to say goodbye to our beloved Johnny today,” the statement said.
Just over a week later, the longtime friend shared her grief online, posting a video montage to Instagram of some of the couple’s candid moments
She added a heartbreaking caption to the clip, simply writing, “An everlasting love.”
In the video you can see how the two are enjoying life to the fullest
They go skiing, sailing and travel to beautiful beaches
They are seen sharing dinners and spas during their outings
“Surrounded by his partner Tahnee and family, Johnny passed away peacefully with the support of some incredible nurses and doctors.
Ruffo’s family posted on his personal Instagram an announcement of a memorial service for the Home and away star will be held Perth on November 25.
“A memorial service to celebrate John’s incredible life will be held on November 25 in Perth, WA,” the post read, and “more details” will follow.
‘He was a very talented, charming and sometimes cheeky boy. Johnny was very determined and strong-willed. He fought to the end and fought as hard as he could. Such a beautiful soul with so much more to give.
The footage shows Johnny in healthier times, singing and dancing in the couple’s bedroom
It is a portrait of a couple in love, where the shadow of Johnny’s illness seems far away in their happier moments.
The actor and singer died peacefully with his family and beloved partner Tahnee by his side in a Sydney hospital, after a long battle with brain cancer
“It is with heavy hearts that we had to say goodbye to our beloved Johnny today,” the statement said
“Surrounded by his partner Tahnee and family, Johnny passed away peacefully with the support of some incredible nurses and doctors,” it continues
“We all love you Johnny and will remember you for all the joy you brought to our lives. Rest in peace.’
Ruffo was first diagnosed with brain cancer in 2017 after going to hospital with painful migraines.
In August that year, he underwent emergency surgery and had a 7cm brain tumor surgically removed from his frontal lobe before undergoing chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
Ruffo went into remission months after his initial diagnosis in 2017, but revealed in November 2020 that the disease had returned.
Ruffo’s family posted an announcement on his personal Instagram that a memorial service for the Home and Away star will take place in Perth on November 25.
‘He was a very talented, charming and sometimes cheeky boy. Johnny was very determined and strong-willed. He fought to the end and fought as hard as he could. Such a beautiful soul with so much more to give,” the family’s statement said
“We all love you Johnny and will remember you for all the joy you brought to our lives. Rest assured,” the family concluded in the emotional post
In August 2022, he confirmed that his brain cancer diagnosis was terminal and said he feared how his girlfriend Tahnee would cope with him being gone.
Ruffo marked another year of undergoing chemotherapy in December 2022 and revealed he was looking forward to taking a break and spending time with family over Christmas.
In March this year, Ruffo began another round of chemotherapy and posted a photo of himself undergoing treatment in the hospital, with his girlfriend Tahnee by his side.
Johnny spoke about his concerns about how Tahnee would cope after his death in a heartbreaking interview on The Project last year.
“You can only imagine how difficult it has been for her,” he told then-host Carrie Bickmore.
‘What goes through my mind a lot is, I hate to say this, how difficult it can be for her if something happens to me.
Ruffo was first diagnosed with brain cancer in 2017 after going to hospital with painful migraines
“So it’s something I don’t want to think about. It just makes me a little emotional because I know that at some point something will happen, whether it’s a month from now, ten years from now, or twenty years from now.”
Ruffo also told Bickmore that he had already outlived his life expectancy.
“At some point it will get to me, but I’m still fighting. Still pedaling. Looking at my diagnosis and my tumor, the average life expectancy was three years,” he said.
Born in the Perth suburb of Balcatta, Ruffo’s show business career began when he successfully auditioned for the third season of The X Factor Australia in 2011.
After being mentored by Guy Sebastian, Ruffo was the last contestant eliminated from the competition, which was ultimately won by Reece Mastin.
A music career followed, with Ruffo releasing several hit singles, including On Top and Take It Home.
But he is perhaps best known for his role as fan favorite Chris Harrington on Home and Away between 2013 and 2016.
He also appeared in that show’s soap rival Neighbors in 2020.