Young & Restless suffers a heartbreaking loss – Eric Braeden mourns on social media!

Fans of The Young and the Restless know Eric Braeden as the powerful and unshakable Victor Newman, a cornerstone of the show for over four decades.

But behind the commanding screen presence lies a man of deep friendships, loyalty, and quiet heartbreak. This week, Braeden shared devastating personal news with his followers—news that touched the hearts of many in the soap community.

His oldest and dearest friend, Professor Michael Meyer, passed away after a long and painful battle with Alzheimer’s disease.

Taking to Twitter, Braeden honored his friend with a moving tribute that revealed not only the depth of their bond, but also the painful reality of watching someone you love disappear slowly to the cruel grasp of dementia.

“My oldest friend, Professor Michael Meyer, passed away last week,” Braeden wrote. “He was finally released from the stressful Alzheimer’s prison.

We won the U.S. Championship in 1973 together—he played midfield and I was right full back. He was a great intellect and a tough player. Rest in peace, my friend.”

It was a heartfelt message, stripped of pretense, that resonated with many who have experienced the loss of a loved one to degenerative illness.

Braeden and Meyer’s friendship stretched back to their youth, bonded by sports and strengthened by time. They played soccer together in their college years and achieved national glory as part of a championship-winning team in 1973.

But what made their relationship so special wasn’t just the trophies or memories—it was the enduring connection that lasted through the decades.

Braeden shared not just words, but photos—snapshots of his visits to Meyer in recent years as the disease progressed.

These images, though quietly intimate, were filled with emotional weight. Alzheimer’s is often called “the long goodbye,” and Braeden lived through that painful descent firsthand. In one of his posts, the Emmy-winning actor described how he had visited Meyer in May 2021, during one of the final stages of his illness.

Despite the cloud of dementia, Braeden still spoke to his friend about the past—their glory days on the soccer field, the laughter they shared, the victories they achieved. But he admitted, with heartbreak, that he wasn’t sure how much of it registered with Meyer.

“I talked to him about our times when we won the U.S. national championship,” he wrote. “Don’t know if any of it registered.”

It’s a moment that so many can relate to—sitting with a loved one who seems far away, trying to reach them through the fog of memory loss.

There is a quiet desperation in such moments, paired with a deep love that refuses to let go.

Eric Braeden’s reflections have touched a nerve among his fans, who admire his strength not just as an actor but as a man who wears his heart with dignity.

Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia steal more than just memories—they rob people of their personalities, their independence, and ultimately their lives.

For caregivers and friends, it’s a journey marked by helplessness, love, and grief.

Braeden ended his message to fans with a powerful reminder: “Count your blessings.” It’s a simple statement, but one that carries profound truth.

At a time when so many are dealing with personal loss, health challenges, and emotional strain, his words are a call to gratitude—for the people we love, for the time we have, and for the memories that still live within us.

At Soap Trained, we join fans around the world in sending our condolences to Eric Braeden during this deeply painful time. We also extend our sympathies to the family and loved ones of Professor Michael Meyer.

The loss of a friend is never easy, but we hope that Braeden finds comfort in the beautiful memories he shared and in the legacy of friendship that endures beyond life itself.

As The Young and the Restless continues to unfold its dramatic storylines on screen, it’s important to remember that behind the characters we love are real people facing real-life heartaches

. Eric Braeden’s story is a sobering reminder of the fragility of life, the power of friendship, and the importance of holding our loved ones close—while we still can.