Valerie Bertinelli, 63, shares sweet snaps from son Wolfgang Van Halen’s wedding and Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour as she reflects on ‘pure joy’ of 2023 in New Year’s Eve video: ‘I am so thankful’

Valerie Bertinelli counted her blessings as she looked back on the past year during a New Year’s Eve tribute.

The iconic sitcom star, 63, who recently gave up alcohol to lose weight, took to her Instagram on Sunday night to give thanks to the ‘pure joy’ she experienced throughout the year by sharing a montage of her 2023 milestones.

‘It’s been quite the journey this year,’ she wrote alongside the epic video. ‘You can see the relief and even a little fear in the opening clip (shot on January 1, 2023) and the pure joy that starts to take hold as I find my way back to myself throughout the year’.

In the clip, Valerie shared photographs from an Amsterdam getaway, snippets showcasing her son Wolfgang Van Halen’s performances with his band Mammoth WVH, and highlights from Wolfgang’s wedding.

Valerie also posted pics from the Taylor Swift Eras Tour she attended, a Paris trip and the time she got a new tattoo.

‘I have so much gratitude for my family and friends, finally being able to freely spend time with them has been such a big source of comfort, joy, hilarity, and healing. I love them all so,’ she continued.

‘And I am grateful for this community here online,’ she added. ‘I want you to know that you have helped me too.

‘And do me a favor? Indulge in your life. The good, the bad, and the ugly. Feel it all, then do your best to release what doesn’t belong to you. 

‘Please don’t tolerate the intolerable. You deserve better. We all do. We deserve the best this life has to offer. We ARE enough and I am so thankful for every single one of you. Here’s to a glorious 2024!’

In October, the One Day At A Time alum played a role in commemorating Wolfgang’s wedding to his partner, Andraia Allsop, at their residence in Los Angeles. 

The musician and Andraia, who have been together for eight years, exchanged vows on October 15, coinciding with the anniversary of their first date in 2015. 

Wolfgang donned a bespoke three-piece black suit for the occasion. 

Accompanied by his mother, he strolled down the aisle to a song penned by his late father, Eddie Van Halen, who passed away at the age of 65 due to throat cancer in 2020. 

‘Ed would’ve been absolutely beaming and so, so proud of the man Wolfie has become and is becoming and so happy that he has found Andraia, someone who really understands Wolfie, who he is and who he wants to be, and supports him wholeheartedly,’  Valerie. told People ahead of her son’s nuptials. 

 Valerie and Eddie, the guitarist in iconic band Van Halen, were married from 1981 until 2007; they welcomed son Wolfgang, now 30, in 1991 together.

In her memoir, ‘Enough Already: Learning to Love the Way I Am Today’, Valerie revealed Eddie’s last words to her before his death were: ‘I love you’..’

Valerie, whose connection with Eddie grew stronger as his cancer spread and he approached the prospect of death, also recalled the touching gift he gave her a year before his death.

Eddie had purchased Valerie a gold bar the size of a pendant while undergoing cancer treatment in Germany.

The rocker requested to speak with her privately on Thanksgiving Day in 2019 and gave her the touching gift after they went to a friend’s car to talk.

‘I hope you don’t think it’s weird, you know, that I bought my ex-wife this gift and didn’t get my wife anything,’ Eddie said with tears in his eyes. ‘I just love you.’

‘He wants me to know he messed up [during our marriage],’ Valerie wrote. ‘I contributed to our troubles too and I am also sorry.’ 

‘There is no greater love than what we had between the two of us and with that, we made this beautiful son.’

Valerie ultimately filed for legal separation from her second husband Tom Vitale in November 2021, but said her ‘love’ for Eddie played no role in their split.

‘We grew apart,’ the Hot In Cleveland actress said. ‘The decision has nothing to do with my love for Ed. I wish Tom the best and I know he feels the same way about me.’

In November 2023, she observed the one-year milestone since completing her divorce from Tom.