For decades, Valerie Bertinelli has been one of America’s most beloved television personalities.

From her early success on One Day at a Time to her unforgettable role on Hot in Cleveland, the actress has spent much of her life making audiences laugh.

But behind her familiar smile lies a story of love, heartbreak, regret, and a loss that continues to affect her years later.

Now, at 66, Bertinelli has opened up about the emotional pain she still carries following the death of her former husband, legendary guitarist Eddie Van Halen.

And her latest message has sparked an intense conversation about grief, forgiveness, and the complicated reality of loving someone even after a marriage has ended.

On October 6, 2026, Valerie shared a deeply personal photograph to mark the sixth anniversary of Eddie’s death.

What began as a quiet tribute quickly turned into something much bigger.

After receiving criticism for continuing to express love for her former husband, the actress posted an emotional video defending her feelings.

Her words were powerful.

And they revealed something she no longer intends to apologize for.

She still loves Eddie Van Halen.

And she always will.

A Heartbreaking Anniversary Brings Back Memories

October 6 has become an emotional date for Valerie Bertinelli and her family.

On that day in 2020, Eddie Van Halen died at the age of 65 following a long battle with cancer.

The legendary musician was one of the most influential guitarists in rock history.

As a founding member of Van Halen, he helped create songs that defined generations.

His extraordinary talent changed the sound of rock music.

But to Valerie, Eddie was much more than a famous musician.

He was the man she married when she was just 21 years old.

He was the father of her only child.

And he was someone whose presence remained important in her life long after their divorce.

Six years after his death, Valerie decided to honor those memories publicly.

She posted a vintage photograph showing herself and Eddie sitting together in a car.

In the picture, Eddie smiles toward the camera while Valerie laughs.

The image captures a moment from a relationship that began more than four decades ago.

Alongside the photograph, she shared a simple message about how photographs may fade with time, but memories and love remain.

For many fans, it was a touching tribute.

But not everyone responded with kindness.

The Criticism That Sparked an Emotional Response

Shortly after Valerie shared the photograph, negative comments began appearing.

Some questioned why she continued posting pictures of her former husband.

Others suggested that she should stop publicly expressing affection for him.

One particularly dismissive comment accused her of acting like a widow.

The criticism was painful because Valerie and Eddie’s relationship had never been simple.

They had been married for more than two decades.

They had raised a son together.

And although their marriage ended, their emotional connection did not completely disappear.

For Valerie, remembering Eddie was not an attempt to rewrite their history.

It was simply an acknowledgment that he had been an important part of her life.

But the negative reactions brought back memories of times when she had felt pressured to hide her emotions.

Instead of remaining silent, Valerie decided to respond.

And this time, she was determined to make herself understood.

Valerie Bertinelli Speaks Out in an Emotional Video

Later on October 6, Valerie shared a video on Instagram addressing the criticism.

She explained that posting photographs of Eddie often brought negative reactions.

In the past, those comments had affected her deeply.

She sometimes questioned whether she should continue sharing memories.

But at 66, Valerie said she had reached a different place emotionally.

She no longer believed that other people had the right to decide how she should feel.

She discussed the damaging effects of repeated criticism and emotional pressure.

According to Valerie, some people had made her feel as though loving her former husband was somehow inappropriate.

She described how persistent negative comments could eventually make someone question their own emotions.

The experience had taught her an important lesson.

Love does not always end when a relationship changes.

And the end of a marriage does not erase the years two people spent together.

“My Heart Can Hold a Lot of Love”

One of the most memorable moments in Valerie’s video came when she explained how she thinks about love.

She said that her heart has room for many people.

Eddie remains part of that love.

So does their son, Wolfgang.

She also spoke about her daughter-in-law, her mother, her friends, and her beloved pets.

Each relationship occupies a different place in her life.

And she does not believe that loving one person diminishes the love she feels for another.

Valerie also addressed the possibility of falling in love again.

She explained that if she eventually enters another romantic relationship, there will be room in her heart for that person too.

But that new relationship would not erase her affection for Eddie.

Her message challenged the idea that people must stop loving someone simply because their relationship has ended.

For Valerie, the emotions are more complicated than that.

And after years of struggling with public judgment, she no longer feels the need to defend their existence.

She Says She Never Stopped Loving Eddie

Valerie concluded her message by making her feelings unmistakably clear.

She still loves Eddie.

And she has never stopped.

The statement was particularly meaningful because the couple’s marriage had ended almost two decades before her latest tribute.

Their divorce became final in 2007.

Eddie later married Janie Liszewski in 2009.

Valerie married financial planner Tom Vitale in 2011.

Their marriage ended in divorce in 2022.

Despite those changes, Valerie has repeatedly explained that Eddie remained an important part of her emotional life.

Their relationship had evolved from romance into something different.

But the shared history never disappeared.

They had experienced youth, marriage, parenthood, professional success, and personal struggles together.

And their son provided a connection that would always remain.

For Valerie, continuing to love Eddie does not mean pretending their marriage was perfect.

It means accepting that their relationship was an important part of who she became.

A Love Story That Captivated America

Valerie Bertinelli and Eddie Van Halen first met in 1980.

At the time, Valerie was already a successful television actress.

She had become famous playing Barbara Cooper on the CBS sitcom One Day at a Time.

Eddie was a rising rock superstar.

His band, Van Halen, was attracting enormous audiences and becoming one of the biggest names in American music.

The two were introduced backstage at a Van Halen concert.

Their connection developed quickly.

Valerie was fascinated by Eddie’s talent and personality.

And Eddie was equally interested in the young actress.

Their romance attracted considerable media attention.

They appeared to be an unlikely but exciting celebrity couple.

She was a wholesome television star.

He was an energetic rock guitarist known for his extraordinary performances.

But despite their different public images, they fell deeply in love.

Their Wedding Became a Major Celebrity Event

On April 11, 1981, Valerie and Eddie married in California.

Valerie was just 20 when they became engaged and had turned 21 shortly after their wedding.

Their marriage attracted significant attention from entertainment magazines and television programs.

Fans were fascinated by the relationship between a popular sitcom actress and one of rock music’s brightest stars.

For a time, the couple appeared to have everything.

They were young, successful, wealthy, and deeply in love.

But their lives were also changing rapidly.

Eddie’s music career was becoming increasingly demanding.

Van Halen was touring extensively.

The band was recording successful albums and performing for enormous audiences.

Valerie was continuing her acting career.

Their schedules often kept them apart.

And the pressures of fame eventually began affecting their marriage.

The Difficult Years Behind Their Famous Romance

Although Valerie and Eddie’s marriage produced many happy memories, it also included serious problems.

Both later acknowledged that the relationship had been affected by substance use and infidelity.

Eddie struggled with addiction during parts of his life.

Valerie also admitted that she made mistakes during their marriage.

The couple experienced periods of conflict and emotional distance.

In her memoirs and interviews, Valerie has been candid about how difficult those years became.

She has explained that she was very young when they married.

At the time, she lacked the emotional experience to understand some of the challenges they would face.

She has also reflected on the ways she wishes she had handled certain situations differently.

But despite their problems, the couple shared moments of genuine happiness.

And in 1991, their lives changed forever.

They became parents.

The Birth of Wolfgang Van Halen

On March 16, 1991, Valerie and Eddie welcomed their son, Wolfgang William Van Halen.

His arrival became one of the most important events in their lives.

Eddie was already a world-famous musician.

But becoming a father introduced a different kind of responsibility.

Valerie was equally devoted to their child.

As Wolfgang grew older, he developed a strong interest in music.

He eventually followed in his father’s footsteps.

But his parents’ relationship continued facing difficulties.

In 2001, Valerie and Eddie separated.

Their divorce was finalized in 2007.

Although their marriage ended, they remained connected through Wolfgang.

And over time, their relationship began changing in ways neither may have anticipated during their younger years.

Divorce Did Not Mean the End of Their Friendship

After separating, Valerie and Eddie gradually developed a more peaceful relationship.

They no longer lived together as husband and wife.

But they continued caring about each other.

Their shared love for Wolfgang helped them maintain a connection.

As the years passed, they became increasingly supportive of one another.

Valerie later explained that she and Eddie had reached a point where they could appreciate each other without the pressures that had damaged their marriage.

Their relationship was no longer romantic in the traditional sense.

But it remained meaningful.

She has described Eddie as someone who knew her during an important period of her life.

They had grown up together in many ways.

And despite their mistakes, they understood each other.

That connection became especially important when Eddie’s health began deteriorating.

Eddie Van Halen’s Long Battle With Cancer

Eddie Van Halen experienced serious health problems during the later years of his life.

He had previously been treated for tongue cancer.

In subsequent years, he continued facing cancer-related complications.

His condition eventually became increasingly serious.

Although he remained a legendary figure in rock music, his public appearances became less frequent.

For fans, the changes were concerning.

But for his family, the situation was deeply personal.

Wolfgang was watching his father battle a life-threatening illness.

Valerie was witnessing the suffering of someone she had loved since she was a young woman.

Despite their divorce, she remained involved in Eddie’s life.

She visited him and maintained contact during his illness.

And as his condition worsened, their relationship became especially meaningful.

Valerie’s Final Year With Eddie

In a March 2026 interview with People, Valerie reflected on the final year of Eddie’s life.

She described that period with gratitude.

Although they had experienced many difficult moments during their marriage, she appreciated the opportunity to spend time with him before his death.

She explained that their connection had become something special.

They no longer needed to be married to care deeply about each other.

They could acknowledge the complicated history they shared while appreciating the affection that remained.

Valerie also made clear that their friendship did not diminish Eddie’s second marriage.

Nor did it erase her own later relationship.

She believed that love could exist in different forms.

And she felt fortunate that she and Eddie had found a way to maintain a meaningful connection.

That perspective would become central to her emotional message in October 2026.

The Day Eddie Van Halen Died

On October 6, 2020, Eddie Van Halen died at Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, California.

He was 65 years old.

His death followed a long battle with cancer.

Several of his loved ones were present during his final hours.

Valerie and Wolfgang were among them.

Eddie’s brother, Alex Van Halen, was also there.

For the family, the moment was devastating.

They were saying goodbye to a man whose extraordinary musical talent had influenced millions.

But they were also losing a father, brother, and longtime companion.

Valerie later revealed that she and Wolfgang were holding Eddie’s hands when he died.

She also remembered the love expressed between them during his final moments.

It was a deeply emotional farewell.

And the memories remained with her long after his death.

The Unusual Way the Family Honored Eddie

In an April 2024 interview with People, Valerie shared a touching detail about the moments following Eddie’s death.

After he passed away, the family ordered pizza to his hospital room.

To outsiders, the decision might have seemed unusual.

But for those who knew Eddie, it was meaningful.

He loved pizza and burritos.

During his illness, there had been times when he could no longer enjoy his favorite foods.

The family wanted to remember the person he had been throughout his life.

Rather than focusing only on the sadness of the moment, they chose to share something associated with his personality.

It became a small celebration of the man they loved.

For Valerie, the memory remained especially important.

It represented the affection and humor that had existed alongside the pain of losing him.

Wolfgang Van Halen Honors His Father

Valerie was not the only family member remembering Eddie on October 6, 2026.

Their son, Wolfgang, also shared a tribute marking the sixth anniversary of his father’s death.

Wolfgang, now 35, has built a successful music career of his own.

He performs under the name Mammoth.

Although he inherited his father’s musical talent, he has worked to establish an identity separate from the legendary Van Halen band.

But Eddie’s influence remains an important part of his life.

On the anniversary, Wolfgang shared a family photograph and wrote about how much he continued missing his father.

He acknowledged that the passage of time had not made the loss easy.

The message reflected the enduring bond between father and son.

And it reminded fans that behind Eddie’s extraordinary musical legacy was a family still living with his absence.

A New Generation Carries Eddie’s Legacy Forward

In 2026, the Van Halen family has entered another important chapter.

Wolfgang and his wife, Andraia Allsop, welcomed their first child, a son named Dean Edward Van Halen.

The baby was born in 2025.

His middle name honors Eddie.

For Valerie, becoming a grandmother has brought a new source of happiness.

The family has also shared photographs connecting the newest generation to Eddie’s memory.

Wolfgang’s anniversary tribute included a photograph of his father with his grandson.

The image offered a poignant reminder of the family relationships that continue beyond a person’s lifetime.

Although Eddie is no longer alive, his influence remains present through his son and grandson.

For Valerie, those connections make the memories even more meaningful.

Her love for Eddie is inseparable from the family they created together.

Valerie’s Life After Losing Eddie

Following Eddie’s death, Valerie entered a difficult period.

She was grieving someone who had played an enormous role in her life.

At the same time, she was dealing with challenges in her second marriage.

Her relationship with Tom Vitale eventually ended.

Their divorce became final in 2022.

Valerie has spoken openly about the emotional difficulties she experienced during that period.

She began reflecting more deeply on her relationships, personal boundaries, and self-worth.

She also became increasingly candid about the pressures she had faced throughout her life.

For decades, Valerie had been a public figure.

Her appearance, weight, relationships, and career had frequently been discussed by strangers.

But as she grew older, she became more determined to define her life on her own terms.

That transformation influenced both her personal decisions and her public statements.

Learning to Stop Apologizing for Her Feelings

In recent years, Valerie has frequently discussed the importance of emotional independence.

She has spoken about learning to recognize unhealthy relationship patterns.

She has also encouraged others to stop allowing outside criticism to determine their sense of worth.

Her October 2026 video reflected those lessons.

She explained that there had been a time when repeated criticism could make her question herself.

But she no longer wanted to live that way.

Her emotions belonged to her.

She did not need permission to remember someone she loved.

And she did not need to erase meaningful memories to satisfy strangers.

For Valerie, this was not simply about defending one photograph.

It was about reclaiming the right to experience love and grief without shame.

Why She Refuses to Erase Her Past

One of the most powerful ideas in Valerie’s recent message is that relationships do not become meaningless simply because they end.

Her marriage to Eddie was complicated.

It included love, happiness, disappointment, and painful mistakes.

But it also produced Wolfgang.

And it shaped much of her adult life.

Valerie does not pretend that every moment was wonderful.

She has openly acknowledged the problems they experienced.

Yet she refuses to believe those difficulties erase the love that existed.

Her memories include the young musician she fell in love with.

The husband she married.

The father of her child.

And the friend she supported during his final illness.

Those experiences remain part of her story.

And she believes she has the right to remember them with affection.

Her March 2026 Interview Revealed the Depth of Their Bond

Several months before her anniversary tribute, Valerie discussed Eddie in a candid interview with People.

She reflected on the years they spent together and the lessons she had learned.

Valerie admitted that she sometimes wished she had possessed greater understanding and compassion during their marriage.

She recognized that both she and Eddie had been young when their relationship began.

They had made mistakes.

And they had struggled with circumstances they did not always know how to handle.

But she also emphasized that their relationship had evolved.

By the final year of Eddie’s life, they had found a level of friendship and mutual understanding that had once seemed difficult to imagine.

Valerie said she remained grateful for that time.

It allowed them to appreciate each other without needing to recreate their marriage.

For her, that was a meaningful form of reconciliation.

The Actress Who Grew Up in Front of America

Valerie Bertinelli was born on April 23, 1960, in Wilmington, Delaware.

Her family moved several times during her childhood before settling in California.

She developed an interest in acting at a young age.

In 1975, she was cast as Barbara Cooper on the sitcom One Day at a Time.

The role transformed her life.

Valerie became a household name while still a teenager.

The show ran for nine seasons and earned her widespread recognition.

Audiences watched her grow from a young actress into an adult performer.

Her natural charm and relatable personality made her a favorite among viewers.

But becoming famous so young also brought challenges.

Valerie later spoke about the pressure of growing up in the public eye.

She became accustomed to strangers commenting on her appearance and personal life.

Those experiences influenced her relationship with self-image for many years.

A Successful Career Beyond One Day at a Time

Although Valerie became famous through One Day at a Time, her career continued long after the series ended.

She appeared in numerous television movies and programs.

In 2010, she joined the cast of Hot in Cleveland.

The sitcom also starred Betty White, Jane Leeves, and Wendie Malick.

The series became a popular success and introduced Valerie to another generation of viewers.

She later developed a second career in food television.

Her Food Network program Valerie’s Home Cooking premiered in 2015.

The show featured recipes, family stories, and entertaining ideas.

Valerie’s approachable personality made her a natural fit for the format.

She also appeared as a judge on Kids Baking Championship.

Over the years, she has written several books discussing food, family, relationships, and personal growth.

Her willingness to share difficult experiences has helped maintain her connection with audiences.

Her Struggles With Body Image

Throughout her career, Valerie has faced intense scrutiny over her weight.

As a young actress, she grew up in an industry where appearance was often treated as a measure of professional success.

She later became a spokesperson for Jenny Craig.

Her weight-loss journey attracted enormous media attention.

But the experience also brought pressure.

In a January 2026 appearance on The Drew Barrymore Show, Valerie recalled being dismissed from her spokesperson role after regaining weight.

She described how painful and humiliating the experience had been.

For years, she had struggled with the belief that her value depended on her appearance.

Eventually, she began challenging that idea.

She has since spoken about learning to appreciate herself regardless of changes in her body.

Her comments have resonated with many women who experienced similar pressures.

And they reflect the broader emotional transformation she has undergone in recent years.

Another Heartbreaking Loss in August 2026

Valerie’s October tribute was not the only emotional moment she experienced in 2026.

In August, she announced the death of her beloved cat, Henry.

The pet had been part of her family since 2013.

Valerie shared a heartfelt message about the loss.

For many years, Henry had provided companionship and comfort.

His death was particularly difficult because she had already experienced the loss of another pet the previous year.

Her son, Wolfgang, also acknowledged the family’s sadness.

Although the death of a pet is different from losing a human loved one, the grief can still be profound.

For Valerie, animals have long been an important part of her home and emotional life.

Her public tribute demonstrated the affection she feels for the companions who have shared her daily experiences.

The Importance of Family in Her Life Today

Despite the challenges she has faced, Valerie remains closely connected to her family.

Her relationship with Wolfgang is particularly important.

She has frequently expressed pride in his musical accomplishments.

She attends his performances and celebrates his professional achievements.

Wolfgang has developed a successful career as a musician, singer, and songwriter.

He has also spoken openly about his father’s influence.

For Valerie, watching her son build his own career has been a source of enormous pride.

She also enjoys her relationship with her daughter-in-law, Andraia.

And becoming a grandmother has introduced another joyful chapter.

These relationships were among the people Valerie mentioned in her October video.

Her message was clear.

Her heart has room for the people she loves today while still honoring those she has lost.

What Is Valerie Bertinelli Doing Now?

As of November 2026, Valerie Bertinelli continues to share aspects of her life with fans through social media and public interviews.

She remains active in entertainment and publishing.

But much of her recent public attention has focused on her personal reflections about relationships, grief, and self-acceptance.

Her October tribute to Eddie Van Halen became a widely discussed moment because it addressed something many people experience but struggle to explain.

The complicated emotions that remain after a relationship ends.

Valerie has not announced that she is experiencing a new serious medical emergency.

Nor has she suggested that her recent emotional statements are connected to a newly diagnosed illness.

The sadness surrounding her latest comments concerns the anniversary of Eddie’s death and the criticism she received for remembering him.

Her message is ultimately about love, boundaries, and the right to grieve.

Why Her Words Have Resonated With So Many People

Many people understand the experience of losing someone who was once central to their lives.

Sometimes that person is a spouse.

Sometimes it is a former partner.

And sometimes it is someone whose relationship with us changed over time.

Grief does not always follow simple rules.

A divorce may end a marriage without eliminating every positive memory.

A person may build a new relationship while continuing to care about someone from the past.

And losing a former spouse can bring emotions that are difficult to explain to others.

Valerie’s message reflects those complexities.

She does not believe love must be treated as something limited.

She believes people can carry affection for different individuals without those feelings competing.

For fans who have experienced complicated relationships, her words may feel especially meaningful.

A Love Story That Never Completely Ended

Valerie and Eddie’s marriage officially ended in 2007.

But their story continued.

They remained connected through Wolfgang.

They developed a friendship after their divorce.

And Valerie was present during Eddie’s final illness.

Their relationship changed many times over the decades.

What began as a youthful romance became a marriage.

The marriage became complicated.

Then came separation, divorce, and eventually a different kind of closeness.

For Valerie, the love that remained was not an attempt to return to the past.

It was an acknowledgment of everything they had experienced together.

She understood that their marriage had ended for reasons that mattered.

But she also understood that Eddie would always be part of her life story.

That is why the photograph she shared in October meant so much.

It captured a moment from a relationship that had shaped her entire adulthood.

The Emotional Truth Behind Valerie’s Latest Message

When Valerie Bertinelli posted her tribute on October 6, 2026, she was remembering someone who had died six years earlier.

She was not announcing a new tragedy.

And she was not asking the public to approve of her feelings.

She was simply honoring a man she had loved for much of her life.

But the criticism that followed prompted her to speak openly about something she had learned.

No one else has the right to determine what her memories mean.

No one else can decide how much love she should carry.

And no one else can erase the importance of a relationship simply because it ended.

At 66, Valerie has experienced extraordinary professional success, two divorces, personal struggles, and the death of someone who once meant everything to her.

She has also experienced the joy of watching her son grow into a successful musician and begin a family of his own.

Her life has included both heartbreak and happiness.

And she refuses to believe that one must cancel out the other.

Valerie Bertinelli Is Choosing Love Over Judgment

Perhaps the most meaningful part of Valerie’s story is the confidence she has developed with age.

When she was younger, she often worried about how others perceived her.

She faced criticism about her appearance.

She experienced difficult relationships.

And she sometimes questioned her own emotions.

But today, she appears more willing to speak openly.

She understands that not everyone will agree with her.

She also recognizes that strangers may misunderstand the complicated history she shared with Eddie.

But she no longer believes she must hide meaningful memories to avoid criticism.

Six years after Eddie Van Halen’s death, Valerie Bertinelli is still carrying his memory in her heart — not because she is unable to move forward, but because she believes moving forward does not require forgetting the people who helped shape her life.

That is the message behind her emotional tribute.

And for many fans, it is a reminder that love can remain meaningful even after a relationship has changed forever.

Valerie may never stop missing Eddie.

But she is continuing to build a life filled with family, friendships, new experiences, and the possibility of future happiness.

Her heart, as she explained so powerfully, has room for all of it.