Valerie Bertinelli’s marriage to Tom Vitale was two years of ‘shame and self-loathing’

Valerie Bertinelli marked a significant milestone in her life by reflecting on two years of freedom following her divorce from Tom Vitale. The actress, who made headlines in November 2022 when she revealed her “happily divorced” status after 12 years of marriage, shared an emotional update on Instagram, expressing gratitude for her journey of self-discovery and healing. Bertinelli reflected on overcoming self-doubt, confronting past demons, and finding the strength to leave behind a marriage that she described as intolerable. Her post acknowledged the ongoing process of battling shame and self-loathing, but also highlighted her determination to embrace her true self.

Although she found love again with Mike Goodnough, the relationship ended earlier this year after a long-distance struggle. Bertinelli opened up about the challenges of being vulnerable and learning to love herself before being able to offer that same love to someone else. She acknowledged that the breakup was mostly her own responsibility, as she was still navigating her own journey of healing and self-acceptance.

Bertinelli’s candid reflections served as an inspiration to her 1.6 million Instagram followers, encouraging them to take time for self-reflection and healing after heartbreaks. Her journey through multiple failed relationships—most notably her first marriage to Eddie Van Halen, which ended in 2007 due to his struggles with addiction and infidelity—reminds her followers that personal growth is key to moving forward in life.