Two years after the heartbreak of her divorce, Valerie Bertinelli has found love again at 63…
Valerie Bertinelli, cherished for her authentic charm, has long inspired fans with her graceful handling of love and loss. After divorcing Tom Vitale in 2022 and mourning first husband Eddie Van Halen in 2020, she vowed to stay single, cherishing her pets. Yet, she’s now embracing a surprising new romance, radiating renewed joy.
It began with a Friday Instagram selfie captioned with Taylor Swift’s “So High School” lyrics: “I’ll drink what you think and I’m high from smokin’ your jokes all damn night.” The flirtatious nod to infatuation hinted at her happiness, delighting followers.
Entertainment Tonight revealed her partner as writer Mike Goodnough, the “Hoarse Whisperer.” Weeks earlier, she told USA TODAY, “I’ve met someone,” calling him special and quipping she’d “die really happy” with her animals otherwise. Goodnough confirmed it in a Substack essay, “Rumors, Rumors, Rumors…,” recounting his playful query: She replied, “Yes, I am. You are my partner in life.”
Their connection started in 2016-2017 when Valerie followed him on social media; he reciprocated in 2018. Post-divorce messages deepened their bond. She praises him as “a really super funny, incredibly talented writer” who brought light to her life.
In her April cookbook “Indulge,” Valerie reflected on Eddie: “Ed and I never stopped loving each other, even though we got divorced.” She mused, “Who knows, if not for cancer, we might have had a second wind”—wistful yet hopeful.
This month, she told PEOPLE, “I’m in love,” admitting, “I swear I would never fall in love again, so it’s a seesaw of feelings.” Fans celebrate this second chance, mirroring her resilient spirit.
