Jennie Garth fires back at trolls who slammed her for not posting a Luke Perry tribute
Jennie Garth is mourning the death of "Beverly Hills, 90210" co-star Luke Perry privately.
The mother of three, 46, had some choice words for social media trolls who criticized her for not posting a tribute to Perry after Garth shared an Instagram picture of her daughters in honor of International Women's Day on Friday.
"These women," Garth captioned a smiling photo of her daughters with ex-husband Peter Facinelli: Luca, 21, Lola, 16, and Fiona, 12.
It marked her first social media post since Perry died Monday at age 52 after suffering a stroke, and fans were quick to call out her lack of public grief.
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These women 💙💜?? #internationalwomensday #sisters
A post shared by Jennie 💛 (@jenniegarth) on Mar 8, 2019 at 2:30pm PST
Garth portrayed Kelly Taylor on "Beverly Hills, 90210," who had a romantic relationship with Perry's Dylan McKay, a bad-boy loner in a group of fresh-faced rich kids attending fictional West Beverly Hills High.
Previously: Luke Perry, 'Beverly Hills, 90210' and 'Riverdale' star, dies at 52 after massive stroke
"I love u @jenniegarth but y haven’t u put anything about Luke Perry? My heart is torn & I didn’t even know him," one user commented, while another added: "Guess u are Kelly (Taylor) in real life. Couldn’t even take a minute to write a tribute about Luke. Wow. Self centered much ? No wonder u can’t keep a husband or a man."
Garth clapped back, noting that Perry was not interested in social media.
"Hey everyone … I chose to post a pic of my girls today. Because they are my life. Because today is a day to celebrate all women," Garth responded in the comments. "It took a lot for me to want to celebrate anything. I thought about it and I know that’s the way my dear friend would have wanted it."
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She wrote: "His kids were his life. And anyone who knew him knows that and knows he didn’t give a (expletive) about social media. So please don’t assume or judge or make rude comments. That’s really uncool. Sincerely, Jennie."
Meanwhile, Perry's fiancee Wendy Madison Bauer thanked friends and family in her first remarks since his death.
"I want to express my gratitude to everyone for the outpouring of love and support," Bauer said in a statement to People on Saturday. "The countless, heartwarming stories of Luke’s generosity and kindness have been a great source of solace during this difficult time."
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Bauer said the past "11? years with Luke were the happiest years of my life," adding she's "grateful to have had that time with him."
"I also want to thank his children, family, and friends for their love and support," Bauer said. "We have found comfort in one another and in the knowledge that our lives were touched by an extraordinary man. He will be dearly missed."
Perry's representative, Arnold Robinson, told USA TODAY that the actor was surrounded by friends and family before his death.
"He was surrounded by his children Jack and Sophie, (fiancee) Wendy Madison Bauer, ex-wife Minnie Sharp, mother Ann Bennett, step-father Steve Bennett, brother Tom Perry, sister Amy Coder, and other close family and friends," Robinson said in a statement.
Last week, Perry was hospitalized Feb. 27 after paramedics responded to a 911 call about a possible stroke at his Sherman Oaks, California, residence.
Contributing: Leora Arnowitz
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Jennie Garth fires back at trolls who slammed her for not posting a Luke Perry tribute