Valerie Bertinelli recently talked about her relationship with her late ex-husband Eddie Van Halen. She shared her regrets about how she handled their partnership during his struggles.
Speaking with the Work in Progress With Sophia Bush Podcast, Bertinelli reflected on her personal growth and how it affected her ability to support Van Halen during their relationship. She expressed remorse about not having the emotional tools she has now.
She said, “You know, it was crazy in a personal way because the frustration of wanting him to get well, you know, and me not being mature enough to know how to deal with that. And, because knowing what I know now about trauma and how it affects people, I would be much more compassionate with Ed and his journey that he needed to take.”
The actress highlighted her gratitude for their reconciliation. She also expressed regret about missed opportunities for deeper understanding.
She added, “I’m incredibly grateful for where we ended up the last year of his life, but I’m kicking myself that I wish I had learned what I know now earlier, so I could have been a better friend to him. If I couldn’t have been a good partner because that was over I could have been a better friend.”
The couple’s relationship was formed in 1980 when Bertinelli was just 20 years old. She met Van Halen backstage after one of his concerts. The two hit it off almost immediately. This led to their marriage in 1981. Their early years together were marked by the intensity of Van Halen’s rising fame and the pressures that came with it.
