Valerie Bertinelli celebrated two years of ‘freedom’ since her divorce from Tom Vitale in a candid Instagram post shared on Friday.
The Hot In Cleveland actress, 64 – who recently split from her boyfriend Mike Goodnough earlier this month – also opened up about finding her ‘true self’ in the lengthy caption to her 1.6 million followers.
Bertinelli and Vitale were married from 2011 until she filed for legal separation 10 years later in 2021. The following year in November 2022, the divorce was finalized.
The star uploaded a photo that included a quote which read: ‘I didn’t know how I was going to get through it, but I knew that somehow, I would.’
‘And I did! Today marks two years of freedom. Two years of walking through self doubt and doing my best to get to the other side.’
Valerie continued, ‘Two years of knowing that I didn’t deserve to tolerate the intolerable. Two years of working through shame and self loathing. (Still working on that part, long tail that).’
Valerie Bertinelli, 64, celebrated two years of ‘freedom’ since her divorce from Tom Vitale in a candid Instagram post shared on Friday; seen in June in L.A. (seen in June 2024)
‘Two years of working to find my true self. Two years of eventually dipping my toe in and feeling love again. (Thank you, Mike ♥️),’ the actress added, referencing to her ex, Mike Goodnough.
A source informed People earlier this month that Bertinelli and Goodnough split after 10 months of dating and stated, ‘They are no longer in a relationship.’
She added in the post, ‘Two years of confronting past demons and traumas and doing my best to work through them.’
‘I want to be the best, most authentic version of myself heading into this last chapter of my life,’ Bertinelli further penned.
‘I am learning that until I love myself and accept myself, all of me, my dark and light sides, I can never give someone else the love and emotional vulnerability that they need and deserve.’
‘You must give it to yourself first so that you can share it. Whoo boy. I’m workin on it,’ the star explained to her fans.
The One Day At A Time star then gave a special shout out to her friends and family ‘for being with me through all of it.’
She also sent her gratitude to Mike, adding, ‘thank you for being such a big part of my growth this year. I’m grateful for our experience and I’m so grateful I met you.’
Bertinelli and Vitale were married from 2011 until she filed for legal separation 10 years later in 2021. The following year in November 2022, the divorce was finalized; former couple seen in 2012 in NYC
The star uploaded a photo that included a quote which read: ‘I didn’t know how I was going to get through it, but I knew that somehow, I would’
‘And I did! Today marks two years of freedom. Two years of walking through self doubt and doing my best to get to the other side,’ the actress began
‘And to all of you in my online community, I’m so grateful for you. I’m grateful for your feedback. I’m grateful for your compassion. Thank you.’
In conclusion, Valerie sent an encouraging message and wrote, ‘Most importantly, I want you to know that if you’re struggling right now, I’ve been there and some days I can still be there but I want you to know it does get better.’
‘I promise you. It gets better. Some days will still be hard and challenging, but on other days, the light will shine brighter and you will feel it. I love you.’
Bertinelli first met Vitale in 2004 and the pair later became engaged in 2010. The former said ‘I do’ in January 2011 before she filed for legal separation in November 2021.
Last year during an emotional Instagram video, the star expressed that she was ‘doing her best to heal’ following the split – and added that she was ‘over the narcissist.’
While on the topic of physical therapy, the star said, ‘I believe that a lot of emotional pain is stored in the body, and I’m doing my best to heal from it in every way – my therapy, my journaling, my meditation, rolfing.’
The actress then told her followers that, ‘I am over it. I’m over the narcissist. I’m long over the narcissist.’
And earlier last year, Valerie also reflected on Instagram about feeling ‘free’ shortly after the divorce was finalized.
Last year during an emotional Instagram video, the star expressed that she was ‘doing her best to heal’ following the split – and added that she was ‘over the narcissist’
She had penned at the time, ‘There is so much to look forward to now, when before it just looked endlessly sad, scary, lonely and stressful.’
The TV personality then explained that although she has, ‘no idea what’s ahead for me,’ the star is, ‘not worried. I’m free.’
Bertinelli was previously married to Eddie Van Halen from 1981 until their split in 2007. During the course of their marriage, they welcomed son Wolfgang, 33.
Her latest Instagram post comes not long after it was revealed that she had split from boyfriend, Mike Goodnough, after 10 months of dating.
Earlier this year in March, the actress expressed that she was dating – but did not initially disclose who.
While talking to USA Today at the time, Valerie stated, ‘I’ve met someone. And I’m incredibly grateful for him. It’s unlike any relationship that I’ve ever experienced with a man.’
‘I don’t want to say too much, but I feel incredibly blessed and lucky to have met him, because I wasn’t expecting it!
Her latest Instagram post comes not long after it was revealed that she had split from boyfriend, Mike Goodnough, after 10 months of dating; seen in June in L.A.
While talking to USA Today at the time, Valerie stated, ‘I’ve met someone. And I’m incredibly grateful for him. It’s unlike any relationship that I’ve ever experienced with a man’
‘He was not on my radar. I was going to die with my six cats and my dog and be incredibly happy doing it. So this came out of left field, and I’m grateful it did. He’s very special,’ she further gushed.
In April, she told People that Mike – who is a writer – is 10 years younger than her, adding that he is also ‘mature, kind, thoughtful, and patient.’
That same month, the pair went Instagram official and walked the red carpet together for the first time in June.
Valerie and Mike navigated through a long-distance relationship when they were dating, and she previously admitted that it was ‘challenging.’
Sources recently told DailyMail.com about the red flag that prompted Bertinelli to split from the writer – and said she feared he was only ‘captivated’ by her fame.
Sources recently told DailyMail.com about the red flag that prompted Bertinelli to split from the writer – and said she feared he was only ‘captivated’ by her fame
‘Valerie jumped into a serious relationship with a man who initially commented on her social media post, which should have been a red flag.’
‘She essentially became involved with a fan rather than someone who genuinely wanted to know her for who she is. He seemed more captivated by her fame,’ the insider added.
‘Valerie recognized this before things went too far, and she’s doing okay,’ the source continued.
‘Her friends had concerns from the start. Moving forward, she’ll need to be more cautious with her heart.’
