The 64-year-old actress’s romantic history includes two significant marriages. Her first husband was rock star Eddie Van Halen, whom she married in 1981.

The couple met when Bertinelli was just 20 years old, and their whirlwind romance captured the public’s imagination. They tied the knot in a lavish ceremony in California, with Bertinelli wearing a custom-made white gown and Van Halen in a white tuxedo.

In 1991, they had a son, Wolfgang, who would later follow in his father’s footsteps and become a musician. While their marriage lasted until 2007, the two remained close friends and co-parents to their child.

Following her split from Van Halen, Bertinelli found love again with financial planner Tom Vitale. Their relationship began in 2004 when they were introduced by her brother, Patrick.

The couple dated for several years before deciding to take their relationship to the next level. They exchanged vows in January 2011 in an intimate ceremony held at their Malibu home.

Bertinelli talked about her happiness with Vitale at the time, “I think I got tired of calling him ‘my spousal equivalent.’ It’s nice to call him my husband. It feels appropriate.”

The Love Turned Sour

In October 2020, Van Halen tragically passed away from lung cancer at the age of 65. Bertinelli mourned his loss deeply and publicly shared her grief. She also spoke candidly about the complex feelings that come with losing an ex-spouse who remained an important part of her life.

The process was formalized in court documents filed in the Los Angeles Superior Court. However, the split became more complicated as time passed, resulting in a significant financial cost.

As part of the divorce settlement, Bertinelli agreed to pay Vitale a total of $2.7 million. This sum included an initial payment of $500,000 made in May 2022, followed by an additional $2.2 million.

Their agreement also addressed living arrangements and investments. Vitale was required to vacate Bertinelli’s Malibu home by December 31, 2022, provided she had paid the agreed-upon sum.

Struggling and Healing

Bertinelli later revealed some of her emotional struggles in a now-deleted Instagram video. She alluded to discovering troubling text messages from her ex-husband, though she did not provide specific details.

She explained how some women lose themselves in trying to make their partners feel loved and respected, to the point where they no longer love or respect themselves.

“I have been screamed at so many times and told how fat and lazy I am,” Bertinelli stated. “I realize… that was someone just projecting on me whatever they needed to project on me, but my part in all of it was believing it, and I don’t believe it anymore.”

In a TikTok video, the TV personality, who recently ignited Ozempic speculation, talked about Maya Angelou, who considered forgiveness a gift. Bertinelli said, “Forgiveness is the way we shine light on the darkness. Give yourself this gift.”

Despite the heartache and challenges Bertinelli faced in the past, love found its way back into her life. The cookbook author revealed a new relationship in April 2024. In an exclusive interview with People, she announced the unexpected turn her life took.

This romance began suddenly, in a thoroughly modern way. She first connected with this person, an East Coast writer, on Instagram a few years ago when he slid “into her DMs.”

“It’s crazy the comfort level,” Bertinelli shared. “It feels incredibly right.” At the time, her raw honesty was met with an outpouring of support from fans, especially after a particular Instagram post about him.

Several users were quick to comment. One added, “I’m so happy for you! You deserve it all!” Another said, “He looks awesome! I’m glad you found each other!“

Unfortunately, the couple has just announced their split.

On November 5, 2024, a source confirmed to People that Bertinelli and her man had separated after trying to maintain a long-distance relationship since January. In July, the actress had spoken to the magazine about how hard it had been to adhere to their “three-week rule” of seeing each other.

For his part, her now ex-boyfriend had said, “Valerie and I are the only two people with insight into our relationship. Neither of us pays much attention to chatter among people outside of it.”

Who Was Her New Man?

Bertinelli’s now ex-boyfriend was Mike Goodnough. He’s a writer and photographer who uses the online moniker “The Hoarse Whisperer.”

His background in marketing provided him with a unique perspective on celebrities and media, while his career outside entertainment offered a refreshing change for Bertinelli.

One of the most defining aspects of Goodnough’s life is his role as a devoted single father to a teenage son, 17. The writer has been open about prioritizing his parental role above all else, even at the cost of financial stability. He explained this on a long X thread.

Periods of separation can contribute to trouble for most couples. Bertinelli resides in Los Angeles, while the writer was still on the East Coast throughout their relationship.

She gushed about his qualities, “He’s brilliant. He’s smart. He’s funny. He’s talented. Amazing writer. He’s kind. He’s thoughtful. He’s patient with me, God knows I need a lot of patience.”

These light-hearted moments delighted fans, who wrote comments such as, “You look amazing, Valerie! And SO happy; love to see you this way!” Another person added, “He looks so beautiful and happy. I love that smile keep smiling [sic].“