Valerie Bertinelli’s love life has taken a turn no one saw coming. After two high-profile marriages and a vow to stay single, the actress and cooking show host is head over heels for a quiet writer from the East Coast – and their unlikely romance is giving fans all the feels.
Bertinelli’s romantic history is well-documented. Her whirlwind marriage to Eddie Van Halen made them 80s royalty, while her later union with Tom Vitale ended in a costly, emotionally draining divorce. By 2022, she’d declared herself “happily single forever.” Then Mike Goodnough entered the picture.
The pair connected through Instagram, where Goodnough – a blogger and photographer known as “The Hoarse Whisperer” – had been following Bertinelli’s career. Their friendship developed slowly, built on shared values and a mutual love of writing. When romance blossomed, even Bertinelli was surprised.
“He’s not from my world at all,” she laughs. “And that’s exactly what I needed.” Goodnough, a devoted single father, brings a calm, grounded energy that contrasts with Bertinelli’s Hollywood lifestyle. Their long-distance relationship (he’s based in New York) has forced them to prioritize communication and quality time.
Fans got their first proper look at the couple at the 2024 Daytime Emmys, where Bertinelli proudly introduced her beau to the spotlight. Social media erupted with support, with followers praising how “natural” and “happy” they looked together. Goodnough’s heartfelt online essays about their relationship have only deepened the admiration.
In one poignant post, he described watching Bertinelli cook in her kitchen: “There’s beauty in her ordinary moments that outshines any red carpet.” For Bertinelli, who’s spent decades in the public eye, this genuine appreciation has been revelatory.
“After my divorce, I didn’t think I’d trust again,” she admits. “But Mike’s shown me what healthy love looks like.” As they navigate cross-country dating and blending their lives, one thing’s clear: this unexpected chapter might be Bertinelli’s happiest yet.
