Valerie Bertinelli Opens Up About Grief, Resilience, and Self-Acceptance at the 2026 Los Angeles Times Festival of Books
Valerie Bertinelli recently shared her thoughts on grief during a conversation at the 2026 Los Angeles Times Festival of Books. The discussion revolved around her new book, Getting Naked, where she opened up about how loss has impacted her life, especially after the passing of her ex-husband, Eddie Van Halen. Bertinelli expressed that grief doesn't have a time limit and that she will always miss her loved ones and past relationships.
One poignant moment was when Bertinelli talked about attending her son Wolfgang Van Halen's live performances and missing the presence of his father, Eddie. She emphasized that grief takes different forms and that there is no right or wrong way to grieve. Bertinelli also touched on her journey to self-acceptance, which has helped her deal with online criticism and negativity.
The actress and chef shared that she no longer lets internet trolls affect her, as she has learned to believe in herself and not internalize negative comments. Bertinelli's message to trolls is clear: their opinions are their own, and she is comfortable with who she is. She emphasized that she is unfazed by hate and criticism, stating that it no longer bothers her. Bertinelli's resilience and self-assurance serve as a reminder that self-acceptance is a powerful shield against negativity.