Valerie Bertinelli continues to honor the memory of her late ex-husband, Eddie Van Halen, recalling the deep bond they shared despite the challenges in their relationship.
In her memoir, “Getting Naked: The Quiet Work of Becoming Perfectly Imperfect,” Bertinelli revisits their 26-year marriage, sharing candid memories and heartfelt reflections about the rock legend who passed away in 2020 at age 65 after a battle with cancer.
Bertinelli describes Van Halen as a man whose heart was always pure. She writes that he spent his final year reconnecting with loved ones and making amends.
“He was cold-calling people to make it right. That was Ed at his core—always wanting to do good,” Bertinelli recalls. “He wanted to make it right with me, too. I was told that every time I left a room, he would say, ‘The biggest mistake of my life was letting her go.’ Even after our divorce, our connection remained.”
Life Together and Family
The couple first met backstage at a Van Halen concert and married in 1981. They welcomed their son, Wolfgang Van Halen, in 1991. Despite their eventual divorce in December 2007, Bertinelli characterizes their separation as amicable.
She notes that even during the most challenging periods, the couple made a conscious effort to act with respect and care toward one another. “We hurt each other at times, but we always tried to do the right thing,” she writes.
During Van Halen’s final months, their bond deepened. Bertinelli shares a poignant memory from their last Thanksgiving together, when Van Halen opened his heart in a long-overdue expression of love and forgiveness.
Bertinelli recalls that their final moments together in the hospital were filled with warmth and closure, as her last words to him were simply, “I love you.”
A Flawed but Real Love
Bertinelli describes their relationship as imperfect yet meaningful. “Even when there was anger, love remained,” she notes. “Our love changed, grew, and came back stronger than before. It healed us.”
She highlights that their years together were full of genuine affection and care. Those moments created lasting memories for both of them and their son.
On The Drew Barrymore Show, Bertinelli expressed that her marriage to Van Halen was not a failure, despite the divorce. She highlighted the happiness they shared and the family they built. “We grew apart, but the marriage wasn’t a failure. It gave me Wolfie, the best part of my life,” she said.
Bertinelli also addressed her grieving process after Van Halen’s passing. She explained that while she mourned the loss, she did not consider him her soulmate. Their relationship produced something enduring: a son whom both loved unconditionally.
Life After Van Halen
After her divorce from Van Halen, Bertinelli married businessman Tom Vitale in 2011, a union that ended in 2022. Throughout her life, Bertinelli has maintained a focus on family and personal growth, reflecting openly on her past while honoring the lasting bonds she formed.
Valerie Bertinelli’s reflections on Eddie Van Halen offer a glimpse into a complex, heartfelt relationship that remained meaningful until the end.
Their story illustrates how love can persist even beyond separation, leaving a lasting impact on family and memories alike.