Ex-'RHOC' Star Elizabeth Lyn Vargas Mourns Former Husband's Death

Former 'Real Housewives of Orange County' star Elizabeth Lyn Vargas is speaking out about the death of her business tycoon ex-husband Bernt Bodal ... saying he was "blessed" to have his new wife by his side as he battled cancer.

Vargas just released a statement to TMZ about Bodal's death from pancreatic cancer Wednesday following his hospitalization in Seattle, Washington.

In her statement, Vargas praised Bodal's current wife, Michelle Fox, for being there throughout his fight with the disease, saying she's deeply grateful to Fox.

Vargas also said that despite her differences with Bodal, they regularly had "kind" conversations, knowing the 20-plus years they were together meant something. She added, "That kind of history is never erased."

The 'RHOC' alum went on to say Bodal's family "always meant the world to me, regardless of how they may have felt about me personally." Vargas says Bodal leaves behind quite a legacy, namely his "new family, his children, his mother, his wife, extended loved ones -- and me, his former wife."

She described Bodal as an extraordinarily talented man who flew airplanes, helicopters, and stunt planes and played guitar when he wasn't overseeing his business.

Bodal was the former CEO of the Seattle-based American Seafoods and reportedly worth $200 million. He was also featured on the TV series, "Undercover Boss," where he quietly gave to families in need -- something he would do on a regular basis.

However, Bodal was never on an episode of 'RHOC' ... although Vargas and her fellow cast members talked about him during Season 15 episodes. Vargas also made guest appearances in episodes of several subsequent seasons.

Vargas tied the knot with Bodal in 2000 and they reportedly split in 2017, finalizing their divorce in July 2020. She says Bodal's "spirit and legacy will live on through the lives he touched."

Bodal was 72.