Valerie Bertinelli’s love life reads like a Hollywood script – full of passion, pain, and now, an unexpected second act. The 64-year-old star, known for her roles on TV and the Food Network, has found love when she least expected it, proving that happy endings can come at any age.
Her romantic history is the stuff of tabloid dreams. As a young starlet, she married guitar legend Eddie Van Halen in a fairytale wedding that captivated the nation. Though their marriage ended after 26 years, they remained devoted co-parents to their son Wolfgang until Van Halen’s death in 2020. Her second marriage to financier Tom Vitale ended in a messy, public divorce that left her swearing off relationships for good.
“I was content being alone,” Bertinelli admits. “Then this wonderful man proved me wrong.” That man is Mike Goodnough, a writer and single dad who reached out through Instagram. What began as friendly messages blossomed into something deeper, despite Bertinelli’s initial reluctance.
Goodnough, 54, is a refreshing change from Bertinelli’s previous partners. A self-described “recovering corporate guy,” he left the business world to focus on writing and raising his teenage son. His heartfelt online essays about fatherhood and mental health struck a chord with Bertinelli, who values his emotional openness.
The couple’s long-distance relationship (he’s in New York, she’s in LA) has forced them to be creative. They share morning coffee over video chat, exchange playlists, and make the most of their limited time together. When they made their official debut at the Daytime Emmys, their chemistry was undeniable.
“Look at Valerie glow!” fans exclaimed on social media, noting how relaxed and happy she appeared. Goodnough, for his part, seems equally smitten, recently writing: “To love someone this extraordinary is the privilege of a lifetime.”
For Bertinelli, this relationship marks a new chapter of self-acceptance. After years of battling insecurities and painful breakups, she’s learned to embrace joy without reservation. “I’m not the same woman I was two years ago,” she reflects. “And this love? It’s the beautiful surprise I didn’t know I needed.”
