Jill Zarin's Husband Bobby Zarin Has Passed Away After His Battle with Cancer

Jill Zarin's husband Bobby Zarin passed away Saturday, January 13 after a battle with cancer. He was 71. 

The Zarin family shared the news in this official statement posted on JillZarin.com: "With the heaviest of hearts, we are devastated to share the news that our beloved Bobby Zarin passed away peacefully today surrounded by family after a courageous battle with cancer. There are no words to describe how heartbroken we are. Thank you, everyone, for all your love and support during this difficult time."

Bravo shared the following statement with The Daily Dish: “Bravo sends our sincere condolences to Jill, Ally and the rest of the Zarin family. Our hearts are with you all.”

Jill shared in November 2016 that Bobby's cancer had returned after he was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Bobby was first diagnosed with thyroid cancer in 2009, and it spread to his lungs in 2013. He was hospitalized in July 2017 due to complications from his battle with cancer. “His cancer took an unexpected turn,” Jill told PEOPLE after her husband was admitted to the hospital. “But he is not going down without a fight.”

Jill dedicated her 5th Annual Luxury Luncheon in July 2017 to raise money for the International Thyroid Oncology Group as Bobby recovered in the hospital. "Bobby wanted me to be here. I didn’t want to come. I wasn’t going to postpone it, I was going [to] not come and people would understand," Jill told E! News at the time. "But Bobby said, you have to go because we’re going to raise money for thyroid cancer." 

Bobby was released from the hospital in August, and Jill described his recovery as "nothing short of miraculous." "My heart is filled with such emotion everyday it's hard to express. From the initial shock to the new 'normal' it's been the most emotional time in our lives and couldn't have gotten to where we are without help from many," Jill shared on Instagram at the time. "I wake up everyday now so grateful to see Bobby getting stronger."

Jill continued to keep fans updated on Bobby's health throughout 2017. She showed her gratitude for her husband on her birthday in November. "I am most grateful to God who continues to give Bobby and me more time together. When Bobby always said to me 'cherish the moment' I never knew the power of that message until now. We continue the fight against Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer everyday and to astound his doctors with the strength and determination to defy all odds," she wrote on Instagram. "Thank you to everyone for the texts, posts and messages. I read them all and they give me the strength to continue to fight everyday."

Jill looked back on her "lifetime of memories" and her "love story" with Bobby as she celebrated their 18th wedding anniversary on Instagram earlier this month.

Bobby was right by Jill's side as she opened up her life to the world on The Real Housewives of New York City from Season 1 to Season 4. Jill and Bobby returned to RHONY in Season 9 to catch up with her good friends Luann de Lesseps and Dorinda Medley.

See more of Jill and Bobby through the years, below.