Valerie Bertinelli Looks Young at 62 — After Divorce, She Finds Happiness in Cooking Says Age Is ‘Just a Number’

• Valerie still feels young and doesn’t care about her age.

• She finds happiness in taking care of animals, cooking, new hairstyles, and drinking some tequila.

• Her recent divorce was difficult, but she looks forward to great things in 2023.

Valerie Bertinelli is an American actress who gained fame in the 1970s. She was born in Wilmington, Delaware, before relocating to California. Her father, Andrew Bertinelli Jr., who worked for General Motors, moved the family to Van Nuys when she was a teenager.

A neighbor who worked as a TV producer gave the girl a tip about the opportunity to get into the entertainment business. She joined the Tami Lynn School of Artists that launched her career playing Barbara Cooper Royer on “One Day at a Time.”

Valerie Bertinelli at Pier 94 on October 12, 2019 in New York City | Source: Getty Images

The actress played that first role on the popular show produced by Norman Lear from 1975 until its end in 1984. She went on to be cast in a few movies and short-lived TV series, but nothing came close to the acclaim of her debut title.

Bertinelli has been open about her struggle with her weight and maintaining a healthy relationship with food.

Bertinelli got married to Edward Van Halen, lead guitarist of the rock band Van Halen, in 1981, and they had a son, Wolfgang Van Halen, in 1991. The couple divorced in 2003.

Over the years, the actress built her reputation as a celebrity chef and author, and in 2011, landed a role on “Hot in Cleveland” with Betty White.

Valerie Bertinelli as Barbara Cooper on “One Day at a Time” in1979 in Los Angeles, California | Source: Getty Images

Journey to Self-love

Bertinelli has had a lot of success in her life but also a lot of pain. Not having the right tools or knowledge to process what one goes through can have a negative impact on one’s overall health. Speaking about her biggest hurdle to accepting herself, she said:

“I think many, many, many people live with a lie that we were told, that we’re unlovable when we gain weight, and it’s simply not true.”

The New York Times bestselling author was inspired to share her journey to offer support to other women struggling in areas of their lives in her latest book, “Enough Already: Learning to Love the Way I Am Today.”

Valerie Bertinelli at the 39th Annual Emmy Awards on September 20, 1987 | Source: Getty Images

She chronicled how she dealt with challenges in life, including aging, losing loved ones, changes in relationships, and struggling with self-belief.

Bertinelli had a hopeful and enthusiastic beginning to 2023 after 5-6 years of dreading new year’s day.

Bertinelli has been open about her struggle with her weight and maintaining a healthy relationship with food. She came to the realization that focusing on the number on the scale was robbing her of joy. She stopped pegging her self-worth on what she looked like because everyone deserves kindness and respect.

Valerie Bertinelli and her son Wolfgang Van Halen | Source: Getty Images

The actress made a conscious effort to love herself in spite of how much she weighed or whether she had wrinkles on her face. Having turned 62 in 2022, the “Hot in Cleaveland” star, who looks much younger at her age, advised followers about getting older:

“It’s just an age. That’s all it is, it’s just another number, another number to be grateful for.”

Working with a life coach to learn how to manage her mental health, Bertinelli sought to stop the cycle of condemnation from unmet and often unrealistic goals. Instead of beating herself up, she learned to process her feelings and celebrate the beauty within.

Valerie Bertinelli arriving at the 5th Annual TV Land Awards held at Barker Hangar on April 14, 2007 in Santa Monica, California | Source: Getty Images

Bertinelli also put the effort into her appearance to give herself an added confidence boost. She tried to give her glorious mane a “wolf cut,” based on an online trend with hilarious results.

Referring to her kitchen as the “heart of the home,” the actress finds peace and a meditative calm when she is cooking.

The hairdo, which is a cross between a mullet and a shag with choppy layers and bangs, turned into a throwback moment for the “One Day at a Time” star, who looked exactly like her character Barbara Cooper.

Bertinelli is a celebrated chef and host of two Food Network shows: “Valerie’s Home Cooking” and “Kids Baking Championship.” The cookbook author had this to say about her lifelong passion:

“I’ve been cooking longer than I’ve been an actress, so it’s a huge part of me. That’s who I am in my heart and my soul—I’m a cook. I like sharing and showing my love through my food.”

Referring to her kitchen as the “heart of the home,” the actress finds peace and a meditative calm when she is cooking. Cooking for others and taking care of her beloved animals bring her happiness. She occasionally likes to unwind with a drink: one of her favorites is some tequilla over ice with some lime and grapefruit juice.

Valerie Bertinelli at the New York City Wine & Food Festival on October 15, 2017 in New York City | Source: Getty Images

A Difficult Season

Bertinelli had a difficult season. She announced that she was separated from her second husband, Tom Vitale, in 2021, and they eventually were divorced in 2022.

The experience has helped her get in touch with her younger self, applying grace and healing to wounds of the past.

Her son Wolfgang’s engagement with his long-term girlfriend, Andraia Allsop, was one redeeming event. Bertinelli had a hopeful and enthusiastic beginning to 2023 after 5-6 years of dreading New Year’s Day.

The actress sought to grow even through the process of separating from Vitale, saying that she got to build her character and heal her inner child even from this “wicked” phase of her life. She took to Instagram at the beginning of the year to post:

“I have no idea what’s ahead for me and I’m not worried. I’m free.”

Tom Vitale and Valerie Bertinelli arriving at the “Ratatouille” Los Angeles Premiere in Losa Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images

She added that the experience has helped her get in touch with her younger self, extending grace and healing to wounds of the past. In this way, something good can come from the experience.

Valerie Bertinelli has been through much, but she is hopeful that there is much more in store. With a positive attitude, she is looking forward to brighter days ahead.