Valerie Bertinelli Claps Back at Trolls Criticizing Her Love for Late Ex-Husband Eddie Van Halen
The actress defended her decision to continue honoring her former husband, stating her heart has room for love beyond their past relationship.
Valerie Bertinelli has responded to online critics who accuse her of being “obsessed” with her late ex-husband, Eddie Van Halen. In a recent Instagram post, the actress addressed the backlash she receives when she shares photos of the rock guitarist, whom she was married to from 1981 to 2007.
Bertinelli explained that while such comments “used to really bother me,” they no longer do. She elaborated on the nature of the criticism, noting that trolls never explicitly forbid her from loving her ex, but instead “berate you and berate you for months, make you think you’re crazy until you finally say, ‘OK, fine, I don’t love him.’” She added that these individuals often label her as “obsessed” and make negative remarks until she removes shared photos.
![Valerie Bertinelli at the "Love, Again" screening in Los Angeles in April 2026.]( "Valerie Bertinelli at the "Love, Again" screening in Los Angeles in April 2026.")
She shared that these comments can be “soul-breaking” but acknowledged she has learned that such online critics cannot dictate her feelings. “My heart can hold a lot of love,” Bertinelli stated. “I have a big piece right here that’s got Ed’s name all over it. And, if I ever fall in love again, I’ll make room in my heart for that person, without it touching the love I have for Ed, my son, daughter-in-law, all the people that I love.” She concluded by affirming her continued love for Van Halen, emphasizing that her heart is capable of holding affection for many.
The actress’s remarks follow her tribute post on the sixth anniversary of Van Halen's death. She shared an old photograph of them together, captioning it, “Photos may fade, like old photos do, but not the memories and never the love.”
Fans have largely supported Bertinelli in the comments section of her video posts. Many have echoed her sentiment that divorce does not necessarily extinguish love for a former spouse, with some urging others to respect her privacy.
Eddie Van Halen died in October 2020 at the age of 65 after a battle with throat cancer and a subsequent stroke. The couple had one child together, Wolfgang Van Halen, who is now 35.
Bertinelli was previously married to Tom Vitale from 2011 to 2021.