Valerie Bertinelli, the TV star and cookbook author, has found love again after a tumultuous few years. In an exclusive with PEOPLE, Bertinelli, 63, revealed that she is in love and that her new romance was something she never expected.
Bertinelli, who ended her marriage to her second husband and went through a period of self-acceptance, found herself falling in love when she least expected it. She humorously expressed that she had envisioned spending her days with her pets, never anticipating another romantic relationship.
Before allowing herself to embrace love again, Bertinelli emphasized the importance of learning to love herself. Following her divorce in 2022 and the passing of her first husband, Eddie Van Halen, she underwent a healing process that involved therapy, self-reflection, and acknowledging her worth.
Her latest cookbook, ‘Indulge,’ served as a reflection of her emotional and mental healing journey. Through the book, Bertinelli delves into her personal struggles, including her use of food to cope with her emotions and the unresolved issues from her previous marriages. She expressed that the process of writing the cookbook was instrumental in her healing and self-discovery.
Amidst this journey, Bertinelli’s unexpected romance with an East Coast writer began to blossom. Their initial connection on Instagram evolved from a platonic friendship to a deep, romantic relationship. Bertinelli shared that the comfort and familiarity she felt with her new partner were both surprising and comforting.
Despite the unexpected nature of this new relationship, Bertinelli expressed that it feels undeniably right. She shared that after a long and challenging road, she is finally in a place where she can embrace love and happiness once again.
Valerie Bertinelli’s story serves as a reminder of the resilience of the human spirit and the possibility of finding love in unexpected places. Her journey of self-love and healing, as depicted in her latest cookbook, is an inspiring testament to the power of vulnerability and emotional growth.
