Valerie Bertinelli, known for her role on “One Day at a Time,” used a recent Instagram post to push back against internet trolls who accuse her of being “obsessed” with her late ex‑husband, guitarist Eddie Van Halen. The 66‑year‑old actress explained that while the criticism once bothered her, she has learned to ignore it.
She calls the attacks “soul‑breaking”
“They never quite say the words, ‘you’re not allowed to love your ex‑husband, that’s ridiculous, you can’t love him,'” Bertinelli wrote. “They berate you for months, make you think you’re crazy until you finally say, ‘OK, fine, I don’t love him.’” She added that the trolls “can’t tell me how I feel” and that the comments are “soul‑breaking,” but she refuses to let them dictate her emotions.
Her love endures
“My heart can hold a lot of love. I have a big piece right here that’s got Ed’s name all over it,” she said, noting that she still loves Van Halen, their son Wolfgang, and her daughter‑in‑law. Bertinelli said that if she ever falls in love again, she will make room in her heart without diminishing the love she has for Ed.
Honoring Van Halen’s memory
The actress shared an old photo of herself and Van Halen on the sixth anniversary of his death, captioning it, “Photos may fade, like old photos do, but not the memories and never the love.” Van Halen died in October 2020 at age 65 after a stroke and a six‑year battle with throat cancer. The couple married in 1981, divorced in 2007, and share a son, Wolfgang, now 35.
Support from fans
Followers rallied behind Bertinelli in the comments, reminding her that love for a former spouse does not vanish after divorce. One fan wrote, “Ed is the father of your child. Your child is an extension of Ed, so there is no way to stop loving him.” Another added, “Divorce doesn’t necessarily mean you can’t, don’t or won’t love your ex anymore. I wish people would mind their own business.”
Bertinelli’s later marriage to Tom Vitale lasted from 2011 to 2021, but she emphasized that her affection for Van Halen remains unchanged.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
