'He will be sorely missed': Kim Richards' ex-husband Monty Brinson dies at age 58 after battle with lung cancer

Monty Brinson has died at age 58.

His former brother-in-law Rick Hilton, father of Paris Hilton, announced his passing on Sunday night with a touching tribute on Instagram.

Brinson was married to Real Housewives star Kim Richards for three years in the 1980s but remained close to his ex wife long after their divorce.

RIP: Monty Brinson has died at age 58 (pictured in an Instagram snap with ex wife Kim Richards from last year)

Hilton shared the news of Brinson's death with a note posted to his Instagram: 'We have lost Monty Brinson after a brave battle with cancer. 

'His heart was a big as the moon and he was loved by all he Met. He will be sorely missed. I love You always!'

Just three days ago Monty posted to his own Instagram a bittersweet message: 'Today I know a lot of people that follow me my wish that you would send a short message of a time we spent together that you will not forget about us and our friendship snnlr'.

His former brother-in-law Rick Hilton, father of Paris Hilton, announced his passing on Sunday night with a touching tribute on Instagram

Monty appeared to be hopeful despite battling stage IV cancer in an Instagram post from three days ago in which he expressed his desire to keep fighting his illness

And in another posting from that same day, Monty appeared to be hopeful despite battling stage IV cancer: 'I just got a sign from God, with all the fight and love inside me he's going to keep me down here for awhile so I can win this battle so I can watch over my loved ones and take care of them, I'm going to be stronger than ever and over come this. Too much love inside me to give up'. 

He was married to Kim, who rose to fame on The Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills, from 1985 to 1988.

He was married to Kim, who rose to fame on The Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills, from 1985 to 1988. They have a 29-year-old daughter Brooke (pictured in 1986)

They have a 29-year-old daughter Brooke (born in September 1986), who married Thayer Wiederhorn last May. 

Kim has been supportive of Monty in recent years as he's battled with cancer. 

And the two have expressed their undying love for one another in the last year, populating their Instagram accounts with declarations of affection as Monty faced this terrible challenge. 

In September Kim shared this snap featuring Monty: 'Celebrated my birthday tonight with @montybrinson , my sister❤️ @kathyhilton @rickhilton7 , more family and close friends ... Another great evening'

Monty pictured with daughter Brooke and ex Kim with other family members in October

Kim has had her own challenges lately, including an arrest for theft on August 2, and according to the incident report, which TMZ published, she had tried to steal two carts full of goods prior to her arrest. 

The former Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills star also agreed a plea deal with prosecutors following her April 16 arrest at the Beverly Hills Hotel.

The deal offered by the LA County District Attorney stipulated she serve three years probation, take 52 AA classes, complete 30 days of community labor and stay 100 yards away from the Beverly Hills Hotel.

Her attorney has asked that the blonde former child actress get community service instead of labor at an August 31 hearing at which Richards was not present.