Hey there, friends. Let’s talk about Valerie Bertinelli, a woman who’s been through the ringer lately but still manages to keep her head up. You know, the kind of person who reminds us all that life throws curveballs, but we can still find strength in the chaos. Valerie, the beloved actress-turned-Food Network star, has had her share of tough times recently, and her fans are understandably worried about her well-being.
“Listen, I’m just having one of those days,” Valerie shared in a heartfelt video response to her fans’ concerns. “We all go through phases where things feel heavy, right? But the beauty of life is that these bad days don’t last forever. There’s always a brighter tomorrow waiting for us. I’m holding on tight to that hope.” And honestly, who can blame her for feeling this way? Life hasn’t exactly been easy for Valerie these past few years.
End of an Era: Valerie and Tom Vitale Part Ways
Recently, Valerie made the tough decision to sign the papers ending her 11-year marriage to financial planner Tom Vitale. Now, if you think about it, this comes on the heels of one of the most devastating losses of her life—the heartbreaking passing of Eddie Van Halen, her first husband and the father of her son, musician Wolfgang Van Halen, back in 2020. Talk about a perfect storm of emotions.
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“It’s been one heck of a journey for Valerie,” a close friend confided to Closer. “Between losing Eddie, the divorce from Tom, and dealing with her ongoing struggles with food and body image, it’s like everything hit her all at once. But you know what? Valerie’s a fighter. She’s not just looking for a quick fix; she’s searching for peace of mind. That’s what matters most to her right now.”
Reflecting on Life’s Ups and Downs
At 62 years old, Valerie has captured America’s heart time and again, first as a teenager on the classic sitcom One Day at a Time. She’s always been open about her personal battles, and in her latest book, Enough Already: Learning to Love the Way I Am Today, she dives deep into the pain of losing Eddie and her ongoing struggles with overeating and self-esteem. It’s a raw, unfiltered look at her journey to find acceptance and joy in herself.
“The thing I’ve been chasing after for so long isn’t something you can measure,” Valerie reflects. “It’s not about being thin or seeing a certain number on the scale. What I truly want is to feel that deep sense of joy inside, and that’s a whole different ballgame.”
Rebuilding After Loss
Let’s be real here—Valerie has every right to feel disoriented right now. And no, it’s not about what she weighs or how she looks in the mirror. “Eddie’s death flipped her world upside down,” her friend explains. “But it also forced her to confront issues she’d been burying deep down—like the state of her marriage to Tom.”
Back in 2004, Valerie’s brother introduced her to Tom. At the time, she gushed about his humor and charm, calling him “special.” Tom reciprocated, describing her as “beautiful, intelligent, and kind.” So what changed?
“We’ve grown apart from the things that initially brought us together, and unfortunately, those differences can’t be reconciled,” Valerie shares. “The paths we thought we were walking on have shifted.”
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Her friend elaborates, saying that the seeds of their separation were planted long before Eddie’s passing in October 2020. “Valerie and Tom didn’t put in the effort to keep their relationship strong,” the friend reveals. “But Valerie’s okay with that. She’s older, wiser, and while it’s tough, she knows she’ll make it through.”
Looking Forward with Hope
Confident in her decision to end her marriage, Valerie is ready to embrace the next chapter of her life. She loves hosting her Food Network show, where she’s earned two Daytime Emmys, and cherishes the bond she shares with her son, Wolf. “When she looks at her life, she realizes it’s not all bad,” her friend says. “She’s grateful for Wolf and proud of herself for facing her fears head-on. Her mantra these days is, ‘It’s not how you fall, but how you get back up.’”
Valerie may not have all the answers yet, but she’s confident she’ll figure things out as she moves forward. “Nobody’s perfect,” she reminds us. “Kindness and forgiveness clear the air, nourish our souls, and let us sleep soundly at night. Life is precious, and I’m determined to savor every moment.”
