Valerie Bertinelli Says She Looks Forward to Being ‘Happily Divorced’
In a recent appearance on the fourth hour of Today, actor Valerie Bertinelli got real about her ongoing divorce from estranged husband Tom Vitale. The former One Day at a Time star wasn’t shy about admitting she’s looking forward to being single.
Bertinelli recently filed for divorce
The former Hot in Cleveland star filed for legal separation from Vitale in late 2021. She cited “irreconcilable differences” as the reason for seeking the split and in 2022 amended her petition to a divorce filing. While a prenuptial agreement appears to be in place, Vitale is reportedly challenging the contract, according to People, and is requesting spousal support.
Bertinelli in her memoir Enough Already opened up about her breakup with Vitale.
“We have separated,” she wrote. “Fissures in the relationship surfaced years ago, and like what happened to nearly everyone I know, the lockdown led to a serious reassessment of priorities. What do I want versus what do I need? What is helping me move forward in my life? What is holding me back? I had started asking those questions before Covid and I am still asking them.
“In my search to experience more joy, I have to identify and move past ideas and behavior that no longer serve me, and my 11-year marriage to Tom is one of those things.”
She told ‘Today’ she looks forward to being ‘happily divorced’
Although Bertinelli has made frequent appearances on the morning show via video feed from her home during the pandemic, she recently stopped by for the first time since 2020 (check out the Today show’s video above). Co-host Hoda Kotb remarked, “It has been 884 days since she’s been here in Studio 1A, and I’m the one who’s counting.”
A visibly moved Bertinelli was choked up before her sit-down with Kotb even got started.
“I’m really happy to be back,” the actor said, tearing up. “I’m a weepy mess. Why am I crying?”
The two reflected on everything that transpired since her last in-person visit. “Your ex-husband Eddie Van Halen passed away, your son got a Grammy nomination, you had a marriage that ended,” Kotb said, to which Bertinelli remarked: “Life keeps moving no matter what happens.”
Concerning her ongoing divorce, she said, “You never go into marriage thinking you’re going to get a divorce. You always think this is going to last forever, this is it. And here I am, twice divorced. … It sucks.”
She added, “I am going to be more than happy to be happily divorced and spend the rest of my life alone. … Well, with my six cats and my dog, my son and hopefully one day, grandchildren.”
Kotb asked Bertinelli if she’ll ‘look for love’ again
Inevitably, the topic of moving on and starting a new relationship came up during Bertinelli’s chat with Hoda Kotb.
The actor replied, “Oh God, no. Because of the challenges I’m going through right now, because divorce sucks, I can’t imagine ever trusting anyone again, to let into my life.
“I have some trust issues that I’m sure I’m going to have to get past.”
