Valerie Bertinelli is stepping into 65 with nothing to hide, not even her heartbreak.
The “One Day at a Time” and “Hot in Cleveland” alum marked her milestone birthday with a vulnerable Instagram reel on Thursday.
Featuring unfiltered snapshots from the past year, Valerie Bertinelli shared one bold makeup-free mirror selfie in her underwear.
Valerie Bertinelli Shares Makeup-Free Selfie And Fans Are Loving It
Sporting a black bra and matching bottoms, Bertinelli flashed a quiet half-smile, proudly owning her age, her body, and her story.
The clip, a compilation of videos and photos celebrating her birthday, featured cozy home moments, pet cuddles, book signings, concerts, and behind-the-scenes glimpses from the game show “Bingo Blitz,” which she now hosts.
“April 23, 1960. 8:00 p.m. Wilmington, Delaware. Taurus sun. Aries moon. Scorpio rising,” she captioned the reel. “Went through it all in the last handful of years, and I’m so grateful for the downs as much as I am for all of the ups I am blessed to experience.”
Fans Rally Behind Valerie Bertinelli On Her Birthday
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“You have lived such a great life! Fearlessly jumping into what’s next with grace and honesty. Happy Birthday!!” one of her fans commented on the post.
“You’re still standing,” another wrote. “Happy birthday, beautiful.”
A third expressed, “Happy birthday!! I hope you have a blessed and laughter-filled year and you get back all the love and joy you give out in spades.”
Someone else commented, “Happy 65th Birthday! If we all could bring as much joy to the world as you have to those of us who have watched you evolve. You make the 60’s not look like the end but the most fulfilling. Wishing you [peace emoji] love [red heart emoji] and [smiley face emoji].”
“The world is a lot brighter because you exist,” one of her followers shared. “Happy Birthday! I hope you had a day as special as yourself! Ps. I love you, too.”
Valerie Bertinelli Reflects On Healing After Breakup
Bertinelli’s reflective post comes just months after her split from boyfriend Mike Goodnough in November 2024, following a 10-month relationship that seemed picture-perfect, until it wasn’t.
While Valerie kept things classy, calling out her support system and love for her fans, she made it clear that “The light at the end of the tunnel is finally here. I can see it. I feel it.”
“I am one lucky and grateful mofo. XOXO,” she added.
Her Ex Speaks Out, And Then Walks It Back
However, the birthday glow-up comes with a bit of online drama.
In March, Bertinelli gave Goodnough a sweet Instagram shoutout for the anniversary of their first meeting, but things quickly turned messy.
Earlier this month, Goodnough fired back in a now-viral post, accusing Bertinelli of “hostile, dishonest, and uncalled-for backhanded swipes” and claiming there was “no war” between them, despite her subtle jabs. Days later, he backtracked, returning to social media to share his regret over the harsh words.
“Valerie and I had a complicated relationship. Our time as a couple ended months ago, but our close contact only really ended recently,” he explained.
The author went on to say, “I loved Valerie more than [I’ve] ever loved someone in a relationship of choice,” adding that their breakup was “by far the most painful experience” of his life.
“It has been so acutely agonizing, it has entirely changed the scale of how much heartbreak can hurt,” he admitted. “What was once a 10 is now a four.”
And if that weren’t enough, Goodnough also made it clear that he’s the one who “ended the relationship,” posting the reveal on Threads just this week.
A New Chapter, A New Confidence
Despite the emotional fallout, Bertinelli’s message remains clear because she’s moving forward with gratitude, self-love, and zero regrets.
In fact, last year she posted an underwear selfie that quickly went viral, something that she talked about when on “The Drew Barrymore Show” in December. “I have to say it’s 64 years of gravity,” she said at the time. “It’s science. If you focus in on that picture, you’re gonna see the little saggies, and I’m proud of them because I’m 64. It’s a belly.”
From makeup-free selfies to showing up authentically for her fans, Valerie is embracing her next chapter, unfiltered, unbothered, and fully herself. And judging by her latest post, 65 looks pretty good on her.
