'DWTS': Valerie Harper bids farewell

Valerie Harper went into the 17th season of "Dancing with the Stars" with one desire: to be an inspiration to viewers at home.

Although she didn't make it far in the competition, Harper can consider that a mission accomplished.

The 74-year-old actress joined the ABC series just months after announcing she had a rare medical condition where cancer cells from her lungs spread to the membranes near her brain.

At one point, she was told she may have only three months to live.

But Harper continues to survive and thrive, and her performances on "DWTS" have encouraged her competitors, the judges and fans across the country.

Unfortunately, her lack of dance technique and skill caught up to her on Monday night, and she became the third celebrity eliminated from this season.

Harper's elimination came after a cha-cha that earned an 18 from the judging panel, which included "DWTS" alum Julianne Hough subbing for Len Goodman. That score put Harper at the bottom of the leaderboard for a second straight week.

But Harper is leaving the show on a high note. "I never expected to go past the first elimination," she told CNN after the show. "I really didn’t, and here I am! I got to dance four times with this guy and proved some things to myself."

Do you think America got it right last night?