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Valerie Bertinelli Has Been Divorced Twice: Inside Her Marriages to Eddie Van Halen and Tom Vitale
Former Food Network personality Valerie Bertinelli has always been very candid about her love life. The One Day at a Time alum has been married and divorced twice. She was married to late musician Eddie Van Halen from 1981 to 2007 and to Tom Vitale from 2011 to 2022.
Who Was Valerie Bertinelli’s 1st Ex-Husband Eddie Van Halen?
Valerie and Eddie met in 1980 during his band Van Halen’s Invasion Tour. The pair connected backstage at one of his concerts in Louisiana. Just four months after their first meeting, the songwriter proposed to the sitcom star. They got married in 1981 and welcomed Wolfgang, their only child together, in 1991.
When Eddie’s marriage to Valerie officially came to an end in 2007, he moved on with Janie Liszewski. The rock artist and the ballroom dancer wed in 2009 and were together up until his death at age 65 after battling cancer.
After Eddie’s death, Valerie stayed by her son’s side as they managed their grief. A source told Closer that the Hollywood Walk of Fame recipient was “totally supportive” of her child and “always honored and encouraged” Wolf’s bond with his dad.
“She feels horribly that such a sweet man had to suffer so much pain,” the insider continued. “They had some rough times in the marriage, but the fondness and love for each other never wavered.”
Who Is Valerie Bertinelli’s Ex-Husband Tom Vitale?
Valerie and Tom met in 2004 through her brother Patrick Bertinelli. At the time, she was separated from Eddie, with whom she shares one son, Wolfgang Van Halen. Her connection with the financial planner was very unexpected after her first marriage ran its course.
“After Ed and I separated, I thought, ‘I’ll finish raising my son, and I’ll go away, have about 40 cats, and just get nice and fat,’” she reflected during a July 2010 issue of AARP. “I thought I would be alone for the rest of my life because I didn’t want the responsibility. Relationships are too hard.”
In March 2010, Valerie got engaged to Tom while they were vacationing in Florence, Italy. In January 2011, the pair exchanged vows in a ceremony at their Malibu home in front of 100 of their closest friends and family members. The Golden Globe winner’s son and her ex-husband were both in attendance at the wedding. Valerie and Eddie always remained friends despite their romantic relationship not working out.
“They have both forgiven each other and love their son,” an insider told Closer in June 2019. “There are no more bad feelings between them.”
Though it seemed like the Kids Baking Championship judge had found her happily ever after, she filed for legal separation from her second husband in November 2021. Valerie filed for divorce from Tom in May 2022. Six months later, the Delaware native announced their divorce was finalized in a video posted on Twitter.
“I’m at the airport, about to go see Wolfie and my lawyer just called,” she said. “The papers are all signed, they’re about to be filed on 11/22/22 I am officially f–king divorced. Happily, divorced. God finally, it’s finally over.”
Valerie Bertinelli Went Through a Breakup
In March 2024, Valerie announced that she was in a new relationship. She did not immediately reveal the identity of her partner.
“I’ve met someone. And I’m incredibly grateful for him,” she told USA Today at the time. “It’s unlike any relationship that I’ve ever experienced with a man. I don’t want to say too much, but I feel incredibly blessed and lucky to have met him, because I wasn’t expecting it!”
She never expected to find love again after her messy divorce.
“He was not on my radar. I was going to die with my six cats and my dog and be incredibly happy doing it,” she added. “So this came out of left field, and I’m grateful it did. He’s very special.”
The following month, it was confirmed that Valerie was dating Mike Goodnough.
“I’m in love,” she told People in April 2024. “It’s a seesaw of emotions because I was adamant I was never falling in love again.”
The pair dated long distance, as Valerie lived in California and Mike lived on the East Coast during their relationship.
“It’s been challenging,” she told People in July 2024 of managing the distance. “The summer has been booked full. It is challenging.”
An insider told Closer of Valerie’s strong connection with Mike, revealing that she was not opposed to moving across the country to be with him.
“She’s not talking marriage, not yet anyway, but she is considering moving closer to him,” the source said. “She loves California, but a home on the East Coast would make life easier.”
However, in November 2024, Mike posted cryptic quotes on Instagram, sparking split speculation.
“If you can go a whole day without talking to me, then go another,” one of his posts said, while another said, “If someone is fine without you, then let them be fine without you.”
The following day, People reported that Valerie and Mike had split. “They are no longer in a relationship,” a source told the outlet.
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