Los Angeles, CA, Actress, TV host, and bestselling author Valerie Bertinelli has spent decades in the public eye, but when it comes to one of life’s most common experiences, the first date, she admits she’s never had one.
In a recent interview, the One Day at a Time star revealed that her relationships have always started in unconventional ways, leaving her unfamiliar with the dating rituals most people take for granted.
“I’ve never been on a first date,” Bertinelli confessed. “I honestly have no idea how it works. It’s just never happened for me.”
Bertinelli married legendary guitarist Eddie Van Halen in 1981, when she was just 20 years old. The two met backstage after a Van Halen concert, quickly connected, and were together for over two decades before divorcing in 2007. They remained close friends until Eddie’s passing in 2020.
Following her marriage to Eddie, Bertinelli wed financial planner Tom Vitale in 2011, but their union ended in divorce in 2022. Reflecting on both relationships, Bertinelli explained that she never had the “traditional” experience of dinner-and-a-movie dating. Instead, her relationships began through introductions or friendships that naturally evolved.
Now single and focusing on her personal growth, Bertinelli says the thought of going on a first date in the modern era feels daunting.
“I wouldn’t even know what to do,” she laughed. “Do you sit across from each other and just ask questions? Do people still do that? I think I’d be so nervous.”
Despite her hesitation, fans have flooded social media with support, encouraging her to embrace new possibilities. Many praised her candor, calling it refreshing in a world where celebrity love lives are often over-dramatized.
For now, Bertinelli says she’s content focusing on her career, family, and self-discovery. Whether she ever braves the first-date experience remains to be seen, but her openness has once again made her deeply relatable to fans of all ages.
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