Valerie Harper remembers 'sister/soulmate' Mary Tyler Moore

When Mary Tyler Moore created a character that revolutionized the way we view single career women, she also gave her an incredible best friend in Valerie Harper's Rhoda Morgenstern.

Moore died on Wednesday at age 80, and now Harper, 77, has paid tribute to her Mary Tyler Moore Show co-star she called a "soulmate" and "co-pilot" with a heartfelt statement to People.

"Last week, to prepare me, I was kindly warned by Mary Tyler Moore’s dear husband, Dr. Robert Levine, that she was in the very last stages of life," Harper said. "But still I cannot stop the emotions I’m experiencing, since she was my acting colleague, my sister/soulmate, and above all, ONE HELL OF A GIRLFRIEND!"

"Working together we knew each other so well we could anticipate each other’s moods, ever ready to engage and KNOW there would be an appropriate response from Mary," Harper added.

"I will always feel privileged and honored with the amount of quality time I was able to spend with Mary."

Harper also tweeted her thoughts after the news of Moore's death broke.