Valerie Bertinelli Divorces Younger Husband Who Had Children before They Met — He Asks for Spousal Support

Star actress Valerie Bertinelli's romance with husband Tom Vitale came when she had almost given up on finding the one. However, Bertinelli wasted no time reveling in marital bliss again when he came along.

Valerie Bertinelli thought she would be single for the rest of her life until finance executive Tom Vitale came along. Bertinelli was previously married to music great Eddie Van Halen for 26 years.

Once in an interview with AARP, the "Valerie's Home Cooking" star bared it all, noting that all that she wanted after the divorce was to raise her son. The actress shared that relationships were too challenging, and she did not want the responsibility.

After divorce, the "Hot in Cleveland" star picked up where she left off with her child and experienced a turnaround in her personal life. Of course, it also helped that it was at this period that Vitale came into her life.

When they met, Bertinelli had been trying to shed the extra weight she gained. Vitale, who owned a private equity fund, stood by her and saw her go through a weight loss program and the Boston Marathon.

Even as the Emmy Award winner tried to drop some pounds, Vitale was not bothered by her weight. She explained that he loved her no matter what and taught her in his way to love herself. Bertinelli included that she never felt more beautiful than when her spouse looked at her.

She explained to the publication that Vitale was the man who broke the ice. However, Bertinelli acknowledged that she had experienced a turnaround and was ready to love again.

The award-winning actress met her husband through her brother during one of her visits to her parent's home in Arizona. At the time, Vitale had just left a marriage and was dad to four kids.

He and Bertinelli bonded over their past marriages and shared interests. Once speaking about their relationship, Vitale said they only wanted to move on and never trust again. But they found romance in what he described as "family at first sight," adding that they understood each other completely.

Vitale is an American-born finance planner with Italian roots. The star is also an entrepreneur under his and Bertinelli's e-commerce venture, Veebo, which launched in 2011.

INSIDE THEIR MARRIAGE

After dating for a few years, Vitale thought it was time to take their relationship further. The TV producer proposed to Bertinelli in May 2010, in what could be considered an unbelievable moment for Bertinelli.

She relayed to AARP that although she and Vitale talked about marriage, she was shocked when he fell on a knee. She shared that it was sweet when he asked her, and she immediately asked if he was kidding.

Bertinelli would come to realize that her partner was keen to spend his life with her as they tied the knot the following year on New Year's Day. The "Kids Baking Championship" star and Vitale exchanged vows at their cliff-side mansion in Malibu.

Bertinelli's wedding was graced by over 100 guests, including her son, Wolfgang, and ex-husband, Eddie. Other guests included her "One Day At A Time" costars, Mackenzie Phillips and Pat "Schneider'' Harrington. The bride looked classy in a blue silk dress custom-made by David Meister.

She completed the look with a pair of Jimmy Choos. Speaking with People, Bertinelli noted that she would have spent the rest of her life with Vitalie without getting married, but she wanted to call him "my husband."

To top it all, Bertinelli chipped in that she "was happier than ever." After their wedding, Vitale and Bertinelli worked on blending their families. He and his oldest son moved into her Malibu beachfront home, and his other kids visited often.

When asked how she was handling family life, the actress shared that it wasn't easy. However, because the kids came around often, it was an easy way to blend in. Bertinelli further joked that she could not wait to be an empty nester.

THE COUPLE IS GOING THROUGH A DIVORCE

In November 2021, Bertinelli filed for legal separation, and the terms of her marriage with Vitale remained so until May 2022, when she filed for divorce. The star reportedly amended the petition at the Los Angeles Supreme court.

In the court documents, she cited irreconcilable differences as the reason for the end of their 10-year union. The documents also reveal that she and Vitale signed a prenuptial arrangement.

Vitale has demanded spousal support in the latest update on their divorce proceedings while seeking to block Bertinelli from requesting the same. Although a prenuptial arrangement exists, Vitale aims to challenge the validity.

Speaking with People, Bertinelli opened up on why she and Vitale were headed to the divorce court. She explained that they grew apart while adding that it did not have to do with her love for her ex-husband.

When Eddie passed away in 2020, she divulged the touching way they said their goodbyes. She decided the late rock star was her "soulmate"; while noting that they were a mismatch.

The "Murder of Innocence" star shared that Eddie's last words to her and their son were "I love you." She added that those were also their last words to him before he took his final breath.

Bertinelli and Eddie were a celebrity couple in the 1980s following their 1981 wedding ceremony. However, the "One Day At A Time" actress shared that she and her ex-husband were portrayed as two poles apart.

She was America's sweetheart while he was a bad boy rock star. Bertinelli added that Eddie was not who people thought he was, privately, and the same went for her.

Theirs was a tumultuous marriage held together by a strong bond and their only son. However, when it was time to let go, the duo did not hesitate to do so after over two decades.