Fans of actress and Food Network star Valerie Bertinelli were surprised to learn the 61-year-old has filed for legal separation from husband Tom Vitale after 10 years of marriage, as per People . The pair first met in 2004 before getting engaged in March 2010.
The news comes one year after the death of Valerie’s ex-husband of thirty years, Eddie Van Halen.
As fans know, the Food Network star was previously married to the late Eddie Van Halen from 1981 to 2007.
Despite their divorce, the pair stayed close friends and maintained a family unit for their son Wolfgang, who’s now 30.
The rock n’ roll legend passed away in October 2020 at age 65 after a battle with lung cancer.
Since his tragic death, Valerie has been open about struggling to deal with her ex-husband’s loss.
During an Instagram Live earlier this year, she told therapist Angie Johnsey how difficult it’s been to lose her ex-husband.
“You never like this new normal but that’s what it is. It’s about finding a way to survive this new normal… which many people are doing,” she said.
“This whole year unfortunately has been about death and grieving and loss… Too many people have lost too many things.”
“People” magazine reports that in the documents, filed Wednesday, the 61-year-old cited “irreconcilable differences” between her and her husband as the reason for their separation.
The publication reports that she has not filed for a dissolution of their marriage at this time.
As for the logistics, the split seems pretty cut and dry.
As reported by Page Six Valerie requested that neither of them receives spousal support going forward, in addition to their prenuptial agreement which will be honored.
As fans will recall, the actress wed Tom in January 2011 after the pair were introduced by her brother, Patrick.
“I think I got tired of calling him ‘my spousal equivalent,’ ” the actress said during an appearance on The View shortly after her wedding day.
“It’s nice to call him my husband. It feels appropriate,” she added.
Tom has also spoken about his marriage to the Food Network star.
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Speaking with AARP Magazine Tom explained that he and Valerie were both hesitant about marriage after experiencing painful divorces.
“Val and I were coming from a tough time and wanting to move on but didn’t want to trust anyone,” he said.
“We’re both still a little afraid of commitment, but then we were over there, and it was like our souls were calibrated,” he added at the time.
In that same interview, Valerie chimed in: “I’ve never had a male friend like I have with Tom.”
“Mature love doesn’t mean you have to be mature all the time—we definitely have our immature moments. But when disagreements come up, we’re able to talk in a way that’s not attacking, and we’ll still love one another.”
“You know what’s so great about being this age?” she continued.
“We’re smarter. And we’re not too old to grow. When I was Wolfie’s age, my mom would try to tell me something, and I was like, ‘She doesn’t know what she’s talking about.'”
“God, she so knew what she was talking about!” Valerie laughed.
We’re thinking of the pair during this undoubtedly difficult time.
h/t: People
