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Valerie Bertinelli Defends Eddie Van Halen Tribute Amid Backlash

By Drooid · Oct 8, 2026, 3:24 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Bertinelli Defends Tribute

Valerie Bertinelli defended her sixth-anniversary tribute to ex-husband Eddie Van Halen on Instagram.
She posted a photo captioned, “Photos may fade… but not memories and never the love.”
Followers called her “obsessed,” a “widow,” and urged her to stop posting.
Bertinelli called the backlash “coercive control” and said critics cannot dictate her feelings.
Eddie Van Halen died in October 2020 at 65 after a stroke and throat-cancer.

Summary

Bertinelli Publishes Memoir

Valerie Bertinelli released memoir Getting Naked: The Quiet Work of Becoming Perfectly Imperfect on March 10, 2026.
The memoir recounts her 26-year marriage to guitarist Eddie Van Halen, noting his heart and desire to be good.
Bertinelli says she learned to resist coercive comments, clarifying they targeted someone unrelated to Van Halen.
The book’s release positions Bertinelli as a best-selling author, adding a literary dimension to her public grief discussion.

Summary

Wolfgang Announces Album

Wolfgang Van Halen plans to release his fourth Mammoth album next year.
Valerie introduced the digital series “Undeveloped: Stories from the Vault” on Valerie’s Place with brother David.
The series showcases David’s archival photos, including early images of Valerie and Eddie Van Halen together.
Janie Van Halen was at Eddie’s bedside with Valerie and Wolfgang during his fatal stroke.

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Bertinelli Defends Tribute

Valerie Bertinelli defended her sixth-anniversary tribute to ex-husband Eddie Van Halen on Instagram.
She posted a photo captioned, “Photos may fade… but not memories and never the love.”
Followers called her “obsessed,” a “widow,” and urged her to stop posting.
Bertinelli called the backlash “coercive control” and said critics cannot dictate her feelings.
Eddie Van Halen died in October 2020 at 65 after a stroke and throat-cancer.

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