Valerie Bertinelli Shares ‘Beautiful’ Tribute to Eddie Van Halen Nearly 5 Years After His Death originally appeared on Parade.
Actress Valerie Bertinellishared a poignant tribute to her late ex-husband,Eddie Van Halen, who died in October 2020 after a battle with cancer at the age of 65.
Bertinelli took to her Instagram account on August 14 to share that she still misses Van Halen, whom she divorced in 2007 after 26 years of marriage. The couple shared one child, renowned guitarist, Wolfgang Van Halen, 34.
The post featured a black-and-white photo of Bertinelli embracing Van Halen. The former couple smiled brightly while looking at the camera.
In the caption of the post, Bertinelli wrote, “Some days I really do miss you.”
“There will always be a loud absence in these gratifying sideline years. Who do I yap to when there was really only one person I could talk to about Wolfie the way that we did? The pride we both felt. Still feel. I’m grateful for where we landed. Through the ups and the downs to still alight where we did is a blessing,” read a portion of Bertinelli’s post.
The actress also said the Van Halen frontman would “be so proud of Wolf” and his music career.
“I know we’d be screaming together in the stands watching him on stage. Seeing who could whistle the loudest. I will never not miss being able to experience that with you,” wrote Bertinelli.
Several fans shared they appreciated Bertinelli’s post, with many calling it beautiful, in the comments section.
“Such a beautiful photo … and beautifully written piece,” wrote a commenter.
“When my ex husband was ill from cancer, I said through my tears, you’re the only other person on Earth who loves our boys the same way I do. I know how hard it can be at times. Sending you a gentle hug,” added another.
“The whole world misses Eddie. This is such a beautiful photo of the two of you, Valerie. Eddie will always watch over you and Wolf,” shared a third person.
“Beautiful,” chimed in a fourth social media user.
Bertinelli opened up about Van Halen’s death in a June 2022 interview with TODAY. She said being by her ex-husband’s side amid his illness taught her that “love always wins no matter what.”
“Even when their gone, there’s still that love there that you can be grateful for,” said Bertinelli during the interview.
She clarified that she and Van Halen did have “bumpy moments.” However, toward the end of his life, she and Van Halen “found [their] way back to love and forgiveness.”
“I wished he hadn’t have died after that. It would it have been nice to spend more time with him,” said the 65-year-old while laughing through tears.
Bertinelli also noted she was separated from her second ex-husband, Tom Vitale, toward the end of Van Halen’s life.
Valerie Bertinelli Shares ‘Beautiful’ Tribute to Eddie Van Halen Nearly 5 Years After His Death first appeared on Parade on Aug 14, 2025
This story was originally reported by Parade on Aug 14, 2025, where it first appeared.
