How Valerie Bertinelli Redefined Herself After Fame

I’ve always been fascinated by people who shine on screen but struggle behind it. Take Valerie Bertinelli she grabbed my attention back in the ’70s on One Day at a Time. That show, with her as Barbara Cooper, felt like a warm hug from TV land. Then came Hot in Cleveland, and I thought, “She’s still got it!” But fame’s not all roses, and her story took twists I never saw coming.

This piece is my way of unpacking how Valerie turned her life around. We’ll chat about her early days in Hollywood, the tough stuff she faced, and how she found herself again through cooking and speaking out. I’ve thrown in some thoughts from my own life too hope it sparks something for you!

Her Early Days in the Spotlight

Valerie’s start was like a fairy tale with a catch. I remember watching her on TV as a kid, thinking she had it all figured out. But stepping into stardom that young? That’s a wild ride.

That One Day at a Time Magic

She was just 15 when she joined One Day at a Time in 1975. Playing Barbara, the sweet daughter in a single-mom household, she won hearts and two Golden Globes. I’d tune in every week, amazed at how natural she seemed. It’s crazy to think she was barely out of school!

Living Under the Public Eye

Being a teen star isn’t a picnic. Valerie once told Drew Barrymore how she missed out on sleepovers and silly teenage antics because fans and cameras were always around. I’ve got a niece who’s shy, and I can’t imagine her handling that pressure. It must’ve been exhausting.

Hollywood’s Rough Edges

The ’80s brought a rebellious streak for Valerie. She’s been open about partying back then, maybe to blow off steam from all the scrutiny. I had a friend who did the same in college using fun to cope. Her willingness to share that side makes her feel like someone you could sit down with over coffee.

The Hard Stuff She Faced

Life off-screen wasn’t easy for Valerie, and I’ve felt echoes of that in my own ups and downs. Her struggles show a side of fame we don’t always see.

Weight and Self-Doubt

The tabloids loved zooming in on her weight. As a teen, she felt chunky next to Mackenzie Phillips on set, even though she wasn’t. In Losing It, her 2008 book, she talks about starving herself down to 98 pounds ouch! I tried a fad diet once and regretted it. Her Jenny Craig days helped, but her real win was learning to like herself.

Media Madness

Hollywood’s beauty standards got to her. In Enough Already, she admits feeling out of place with her Hot in Cleveland co-stars, who were taller and leaner. I’ve compared myself to others too ugh, that inner voice can be harsh! She fought to quiet it, and that’s a battle I admire.

Losing Loved Ones

Heartbreak hit hard. Her marriage to Eddie Van Halen ended in 2007, but she stood by him when he passed in 2020. Losing her baby brother Mark years ago and divorcing Tom Vitale in 2022 added more weight. I lost a pet recently, and it taught me to lean on people. Valerie’s strength through loss is something else.

Finding Her True Self

This is where Valerie’s story gets uplifting. I’ve seen friends turn corners like this, and her path feels familiar.

Learning to Love Herself

In 2024, she posted an Instagram pic in her underwear at 64, owning every curve. “I’m cool with every bump,” she wrote, and fans went wild—Rosie O’Donnell even chimed in! I once shared a raw photo of myself hiking, and the support was a boost. It’s all about embracing the real you.

Her Books Hit Home

Losing It and Enough Already are like letters from a friend. She spills on diets, breakups, and finding joy in simple things—like cooking for her son. I started a gratitude list after reading her, and it’s changed my mornings. Her stories feel personal, not preachy.

Opening Up Online

Her Instagram’s a treasure trove. In a 2025 post about turning 65, she talked about “glimmers” of happiness amid tough times. I love how she shares menopause woes and kitchen wins. It’s like she’s inviting us into her world, and that bond keeps her fans close.

Cooking as Her New Calling

Valerie’s love for food turned her life around, and I get it there’s comfort in a good meal. I’ve cooked through stress too.

Read also: Jennifer Bourguignon: A Voice of Innovation and Impact

Shining on Food Network

Since 2015, she’s hosted Valerie’s Home Cooking and co-hosted Kids Baking Championship, snagging two Emmys. I’ve watched her turn family recipes into TV gold, and it’s clear she’s in her element. It’s a big leap from acting, and I’m all for it!

Healing with a Recipe

In Indulge, her 2024 book, she writes about cooking during her divorce—it was her escape. I’ve made lasagna to cheer up after a rough day. She cooked for Wolfgang and friends, and that connection feels universal to me.

Shows That Stick

Valerie’s Home Cooking brings a homey vibe with updated classics. Kids Baking Championship showed her nurturing side, though she left in 2024. I still rewatch her laugh lights up the screen. Food’s her bridge to people, and it shows.

Standing Tall on Her Own

After marriages and divorces, Valerie found her footing alone. I’ve seen friends do this, and it’s inspiring.

Life After Love

Post-2022 divorce from Tom Vitale, she told Today she’s “happy being single.” I’ve got a buddy who felt the same after a split—focusing on herself was key. Valerie’s proving you can thrive solo.

Picking Peace

She tried Dry January 2023 and said it helped her feel again. Selling off wedding shoes tied to bad memories? Bold move! I cleared out old stuff once, and it felt like a fresh start. Her choices show small steps matter.

Family and Fun

Her son Wolfgang, pets, and pals like Drew Barrymore keep her steady. She’s back acting in a 2025 Lifetime movie and loves cooking and writing. I garden to unwind her mix of passions is a blueprint for joy.

A Champion for Women Over 50

At 65, Valerie’s a voice for aging with grace. I’ve watched her grow into this, and it’s motivating.

Pushing Self-Love

Her 2024 Instagram post shut down haters with a body-positive stance. “You don’t define me,” she wrote, and I clapped! I tell my friends to value their hearts over looks, and she’s leading that charge.

Aging with Attitude

Hollywood’s tough on age, but Valerie’s different. In a 2025 People chat, she said she sits with pain instead of running. I’ve tried that with my own stress, and it works. Her menopause talk normalizes it for many.

A Friend to Lean On

On The Drew Barrymore Show, she opened up about child stardom’s toll. I love her mix of recipes and life lessons. She’s not just a celeb she’s someone you’d call for a pep talk.

Wrapping Up

Valerie Bertinelli’s ride from teen star to resilient advocate blows me away. She’s tackled fame’s highs and lows, found healing in the kitchen, and become a cheerleader for self-love. Her story says it’s never too late to reshape your life whether with a new hobby or a new outlook.

What part of her journey sticks with you? Tell me in the comments or check out our piece on personal growth ideas to start your own shift. Let her spirit nudge you toward your next big move!

FAQs: People Also Ask

How did Valerie kick off her career?

She started at 15 on One Day at a Time as Barbara Cooper, a role from 1975 to 1984 that brought her two Golden Globes.

What got her into weight loss?

Her Jenny Craig role sparked it, but her books Losing It and Enough Already show her focus turned to self-acceptance.

How’s she changed cooking?

She’s hosted Valerie’s Home Cooking and Kids Baking Championship, won Emmys, and shared recipes in her 2024 book Indulge.

What’s she doing today?

In 2025, she’s in a Lifetime movie, posting on Instagram, and chatting with Drew Barrymore about life’s twists.