Valerie Bertinelli Celebrates First Christmas Since Bitter Divorce – ‘I Can’t Help But Feel Grateful’

The Hollywood star Valerie Bertinelli took to social media on Sunday as she celebrated her first Christmas since her bitter divorce from Tom Vitale was finalized last month.

Bertinell’s First Christmas Since Divorce

“Merry Christmas, everyone!” Bertinelli, 62, wrote on Instagram alongside a Santa cartoon. “As we end another year, I cannot help but feel grateful for the love and support of my family and loved ones. There’s nothing quite like spending time with the people who matter most, and I hope you all can do the same this holiday season.”

“Let’s take a moment to appreciate the special moments we share with our loved ones and the joy and warmth they bring to our lives,” she continued. “Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a happy and healthy new year! Love, Valerie.”

People Magazine reported that Bertinelli also posted a brief video to her Instagram Story in which she wished her cats a “Merry Christmas” as she patted them on the head. 

Bertinelli and Vitale, who she had been married to since 2011, filed for legal separation in November of 2021, and they finalized their divorce one year later in November of 2022. Court documents show that Bertinelli was forced to pay Vitale $2.2 million “in full, final, and complete settlement and satisfaction of any and all claims between them.” However, neither one of them will receive spousal support of any kind as “set forth in the Prenuptial Agreement.”

Related: Valerie Bertinelli’s Bitter Divorce Could Cost Her $50K A Month

‘It’s Finally Over’

After the divorce was finalized, Bertinelli took to social media to celebrate while she was at the airport on her way to go see her son.

“My lawyer just called. The papers are all signed. They’re about to be filed,” she said. “On 11/22/22, I am officially f—— divorced. Happily divorced. God. Finally. It’s finally over. YES!”

Bertinelli has been open about how difficult this divorce has been for her.

“I am gonna be more than happy to be happily divorced and spend the rest of my life alone,” she told TODAY back in June. “I’ll be happy that way. Well, with my six cats and my dog and my son, and hopefully one day grandchildren.”

“Oh God, no,” Bertinelli added when asked if she’s open to looking for love again. “Because of the challenges that I’m going through right now, because divorce sucks. I can’t imagine ever trusting anyone again to let into my life. So I have some trust issues that I’m sure I’m going to have to get past.”

“Divorce sucks,” she concluded.

Check out this full interview in the video below.

Related: Valerie Bertinelli Celebrates As She’s ‘Officially F***ing Divorced’ – ‘Second Best Day Of My Life’

Bertinelli’s Marriage To Van Halen

Bertinelli was previously married to the late Eddie Van Halen from 1981 until 2007, according to Fox News. The two remained friends, however, and she was at his side when he passed away in 2020. Though she was devastated by the legendary rocker’s death, she isn’t sure they ever would have gotten back together if he’d lived.

“Oh, I don’t know,” she told Entertainment Tonight when asked about this. “We had been through so, so much. We were so close, but I just, I don’t know, I mean, a lot of stuff happened between us that I don’t know that we could get that romantic love ever back again.”

“We had a deeper love that I appreciate even more, but I don’t think so,” she continued. “And I don’t think he felt that way as well. It was just deeper than that.”

Bertinelli has certainly been through more than her fair share of struggles in recent years, but judging from her Christmas message, it seems that she is finally starting to enjoy life again after her divorce. Once she’s ready, we hope that Bertinelli changes her mind about the possibility of finding love again, because she deserves all the happiness in the world!