Valerie Bertinelli has always been more than just a familiar face on TV. For decades, she has been a comforting presence in the lives of millions, admired not only for her acting talent but for her warmth, honesty, and openness in sharing her personal journey. Fans celebrated her triumphs and supported her through heartbreak. In recent years, much of that heartbreak played out publicly: the end of her marriage to Tom Vitale and the devastating loss of her first husband, legendary guitarist Eddie Van Halen. Valerie confronted her grief head-on, candidly sharing the depth of her struggles while determined to find peace on her own terms. For a while, it seemed romance was behind her, and her focus remained on her work, her family, and her beloved pets. Yet life, as it often does, had other plans.
Earlier this year, Valerie sparked curiosity with a single Instagram post. Alongside a selfie, she shared lyrics from Taylor Swift’s “So High School”—“I’ll drink what you think and I’m high from smokin’ your jokes all damn night”—revealing a playful side fans hadn’t seen in years. The energy was different, and her followers noticed immediately, flooding the comments with excitement and speculation. After all she had endured, people were thrilled at the possibility that she might have found love again.
That happiness turned out to be real. It came in the form of writer Mike Goodnough, sometimes known online as the “Hoarse Whisperer.” Shortly after Valerie’s post, Entertainment Tonight confirmed the rumors. Valerie herself had hinted at it in a USA Today interview, admitting casually, “I’ve met someone,” and expressing gratitude for the unexpected turn in her life. She laughed recalling that she once imagined her future spent solely with her six cats and her dog—yet here she was, surprised by love.
Mike later shared his perspective in a Substack essay titled “Rumors, Rumors, Rumors…” recounting a playful moment when he jokingly asked Valerie, “Is it true you’re dating me?” She answered simply and sincerely: “Yes, I am. You are my partner in life.” For both of them, that honesty affirmed the reality of their bond. This was not a fleeting romance; it was a true partnership rooted in trust and sincerity.
For Valerie, this chapter carries particular weight. In her memoirs and most recently in her cookbook Indulge, she reflected on her enduring love for Eddie Van Halen, even after their divorce. She admitted that had cancer not taken him, they might have reunited, revealing just how deeply she has always cherished love—and how bravely she now allows herself to embrace it again.
Valerie and Mike’s connection began years earlier. Around 2016 or 2017, she started following him on social media, appreciating his wit and insight. He followed her back in 2018, and their interactions remained casual until after her divorce in 2022, when their conversations deepened, evolving into something far more meaningful. Today, Valerie describes Mike with joy, calling him “a really super funny, incredibly talented writer,” though the warmth in her voice conveys far more than words.
When she confirmed their relationship to People magazine, her confession was heartfelt and vulnerable: “I’m in love.” She admitted she had once vowed never to fall again, describing the experience as a “seesaw of feelings”—a mixture of wonder, vulnerability, and fear. But her happiness is undeniable. After years of loss, she has found laughter, comfort, and companionship again.
Fans have embraced the news wholeheartedly. For many, Valerie represents resilience—the courage to endure heartbreak while remaining open to joy. Her story isn’t just about a celebrity rediscovering love; it’s about second chances, about life’s capacity to surprise, and about the reminder that happiness can return even after profound grief.
At 63, Valerie Bertinelli has lived through extraordinary highs and devastating lows. She has known enduring love, unimaginable loss, and now the sweetness of a new romance. She once imagined her story ending quietly, surrounded only by her pets. Instead, life offered her another chapter—and she chose to embrace it.
Her joy is contagious. The smiles in her Instagram photos, the playful captions, and her candid reflections tell the story of a woman stepping into a brighter season. For Valerie, this love is about more than romance—it’s about resilience, renewal, and the beauty of discovering that even after everything, life can still offer unexpected gifts.