Valerie Bertinelli pushes back against trolls after Eddie Van Halen tribute
Valerie Bertinelli posted a follow‑up Instagram video on Oct. 7, 2026, addressing trolls who accused her of being “obsessed” with late ex‑husband Eddie Van Halen after she shared a throwback photo marking the guitarist’s sixth death anniversary.
The actress, 66, said the online comments were “soul‑breaking” but noted she has learned that critics cannot dictate how she feels. “My heart can hold a lot of love. I have a big piece right here that’s got Ed’s name all over it,” she said, adding that any future romance would make room in her heart without displacing the love she still holds for Van Halen, her son Wolfgang, and her daughter‑in‑law.
Bertinelli explained that trolls never directly tell her she isn’t allowed to love her ex‑husband; instead they “berate you for months, make you think you’re crazy until you finally say, ‘OK, fine, I don’t love him.’” She recalled that past posts featuring “better days” with Van Halen and their son were met with accusations of obsession and harsh language, prompting her to take down photos in the past.
Supporters flooded the comments with messages defending her right to honor Van Halen. One fan wrote, “Ed is the father of your child. Your child is an extension of Ed… there is no way to stop loving him.” Another emphasized, “Divorce doesn’t mean you can’t love your ex‑husband. I wish people would mind their own business.”
The tribute photo, posted a day earlier, showed Bertinelli and Van Halen in a car and was captioned, “Photos may fade, like old photos do, but not the memories and never the love.” Van Halen died in October 2020 at age 65 after a stroke and a six‑year battle with throat cancer.
Bertinelli’s response underscores the broader conversation about how public figures navigate personal grief on social media. She concluded the video with a call to haters, “Strap in, haters, let’s go for a little ride,” reinforcing that her love for Van Halen remains steadfast while she remains open to future love.