Eddie Van Halen’s Son Honored Dad’s Memory 2 Years after He Valerie Bertinelli Were by His Side in His Last Days

• Two years after Eddie Van Halen’s tragic demise, his son, Wolfgang Van Halen, pens down an emotional tribute on Instagram.

• Despite their divorce, Valerie Bertinelli maintained a good relationship with her ex-husband and was at his bedside in the last days of his life.

• Although it has been hard for Bertinelli and Wolfgang, the mother and son are doing okay and have each other’s backs.

The music industry lost an icon when Eddie Van Halen died at 65 on October 6, 2020, following a battle with lung cancer. It was difficult for rock music lovers to come to terms with the musician’s demise, but it was even more devastating for Wolfgang Van Halen, who had to say goodbye to his father and role model.

In the months and years following the icon’s death, Wolfgang has honored his father’s memory via interviews and social media posts.

Wolfgang Van Halen attends the 64th Annual GRAMMY Awards at MGM Grand Garden Arena on April 03, 2022, in Las Vegas, Nevada. | Source: Getty Images

Recently, the 31-year-old musician was at it again. On October 6, 2022, the second anniversary of Eddie’s death, Wolfgang took to Instagram to pay tribute to his late dad. He shared a selfie of him and Eddie alongside an emotional story that read (via People):

“2 years and not a single day has gone by where you weren’t on my mind. I’m trying to do my best and hold it together, but it’s not the same without you here, Pop. I love and miss you more than you could imagine.”

For Wolfgang, coping with the absence of his father for the past two years has not been an easy feat. On the first anniversary of Eddie’s demise, the guitarist opened up about how much of a hard loss it was for him to say goodbye to his father.

In an emotional tribute on his Instagram page, Wolfgang confessed that he had not been alright and believed he would never be. He wished to share some moments with Eddie again, like laughing together and hugging him, but sadly, it was impossible.

According to Wolfgang, not seeing his father again was excruciating, as he had much to share with Eddie. He made it known that he had been trying his best without his father, but it wasn’t easy.

Bassist Wolfgang Van Halen and guitarist Eddie Van Halen of Van Halen perform during the 2015 Billboard Music Awards at MGM Grand Garden Arena on May 17, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada. | Source: Getty Images

Above all, Wolfgang hoped that Eddie was still proud of him and all his achievements. Seeing that Wolfgang is thriving in the music industry, Eddie will be proud of his son, who supported him and stayed by his side during his last days.

Wolfgang Opens up about His Father’s Last Days

Many are not privileged to say goodbye to loved ones who suddenly pass away, but for Wolfgang, it was the opposite. The musician was fortunate to be by his father’s side until his demise.

As a result, it was devastating for Bertinelli to say goodbye to her ex-husband of 25 years and the father of her child.

Wolfgang Van Halen and Eddie Van Halen of Van Halen perform at BankAtlantic Center on April 10, 2012 in Sunrise, Florida. | Source: Getty Images

A few weeks after Eddie passed away, Wolfgang spoke candidly about his father’s final days, revealing that he felt blessed to have spent time with the Grammy award winner in his last days.

Although the rock legend’s son described it as the “worst situation” in his life, he could not have been happier to be by Eddie’s side and spend every second with him. For the musician, making final memories with his dad was the most important thing.

Eddie Van Halen and Wolfgang Van Halen of Van Halen perform during “A Different Kind of Truth” tour at Madison Square Garden on February 28, 2012, in New York City. | Source: Getty Images

Wolfgang proved this by going as far as putting his career on hold while tending to his sick father, which he stated was “worth it.” According to him, he had no regrets because his musical ambitions could wait.

Two years after his father’s demise, Wolfgang now focuses on his career. However, the musician has no plans of replacing his father in the Van Halen rock band, as he told ET a few weeks after Eddie’s death:

“No way. That’ll never happen. I think a message to the Van Halen fans would be that some things suck. The music will live forever, but you can’t have the band without him. Impossible. My dad would probably be pissed off at me if I took his place.”

Meanwhile, Wolfgang has not been the only one coping with Eddie’s absence. The musician’s mother, Valerie Bertinelli, has also had a hard time since the rock legend died. Although Bertinelli and Eddie were divorced, the pair maintained a lovely bond, considering they spent more than two decades as a couple.

So, Eddie’s passing away was also a hard loss for the food network star. A few months after his demise, Bertinelli said it had been “rough and very bittersweet.”

Later on, the TV personality would reveal that the last words of her ex-husband to her and Wolfgang were, “I love you.” Despite their history, Bertinelli made it known that the love they shared was stronger than anything else. As a result, it was devastating for Bertinelli to say goodbye to her ex-husband of 25 years and the father of her child.

Wolfgang Van Halen and Eddie Van Halen of Van Halen perform onstage at the 2015 Billboard Music Awards at MGM Grand Garden Arena on May 17, 2015, in Las Vegas, Nevada. | Source: Getty Images

But two years later, Bertinelli seems to be coping well. She may not have Eddie anymore, but she has Wolfgang, who is a constant source of joy and pride.

Wolfgang and Bertinelli’s Tight Knit Relationship

Wolfgang and his mother share a special relationship, and the duo has been open about it many times. In a 2021 chat with people, the musician threw more light on the close bond he has with Bertinelli. According to Wolfgang, he and his mother have a “sarcastic relationship.” He told People:

“One time, she burnt onion rings. And it’s like, she has a cooking show, so I just made fun of her for it. I asked her if I could post it. We get in GIF battles all the time on Twitter. Sarcasm is a language, and that’s how we communicate.”

Bertinelli could not have agreed any less, as she noted that sometimes, laughing was a better option than crying. For Bertinelli, there is no motherhood without intentionality towards one’s child. She has proven it many times with her level of support towards Wolfgang.

Thankfully, Wolfgang continues to reward his mom for her support by being successful in his career, making Bertinelli the mother of an amazing musician.