Valerie Bertinelli Celebrates ‘Two Years Of Freedom’ Since Divorcing Tom Vitale

Valerie Bertinelli is celebrating two years of independence after her divorce from Tom Vitale, reflecting on her personal growth and journey through self-doubt, shame, and healing.

The TV personality expressed gratitude for the support of her fans and her recent boyfriend, Mike Goodnough, who helped her “feel love again.”

Valerie Bertinelli also recently shared her struggles with an anxiety attack, emphasizing the importance of self-love and compassion.

In a recent Instagram post, Bertinelli celebrated two years of “freedom” after her divorce from Vitale.

Reflecting on her journey, she shared an uplifting message with her followers: “I didn’t know how I was going to get through it, but I knew that somehow I would.”

The “Hot In Cleveland” actress continued: “Today marks two years of freedom. Two years of walking through self-doubt and doing my best to get to the other side. Two years of knowing that I didn’t deserve to tolerate the intolerable.”

She also acknowledged her ongoing journey of healing, adding, “Two years of working through shame and self-loathing (Still working on that part…).

“Two years of working to find my true self,” Bertinelli added, referring to her challenging marriage to Vitale, which officially ended in November 2022.

The former couple got engaged in March 2010 and married in January 2011. However, after a decade of marriage, Bertinelli filed for legal separation in November 2021.

In her post, Bertinelli also expressed gratitude towards her most recent boyfriend, Mike Goodnough, with whom she split after 10 months of dating, acknowledging that he helped her “feel love again.”

She then reflected on the past two years, saying she’s worked hard to confront her traumas and demons in order to become her “most authentic” self.

The Former “Food Network” star went on to describe this current phase of her life as her “last,” noting that she’s “learning that until I love myself and accept myself, all of me, my dark and light sides, I can never give someone else the love and emotional vulnerability that they need and deserve.”

She continued, “You must give it to yourself first so that you can share it. Whoo boy. I’m workin’ on it.”

Bertinelli thanked her fans and loved ones for their support, expressing gratitude for their compassion.

“I’m grateful for your feedback. I’m grateful for your compassion,” Bertinelli said. “Most importantly, I want you to know that if you’re struggling right now, I’ve been there and some days I can still be there but I want you to know it does get better.”

“I promise you. It gets better,” Bertinelli reassured them. “Some days will still be hard and challenging, but on other days, the light will shine brighter and you will feel it. I love you.”

In the comments, fans expressed their admiration and support for the actress, noting how much Bertinelli inspires them.

One person wrote, “Who would have thought that this beautiful girl so many of us watched and adored when we were teenagers at the same time as she would someday become this woman that would share her journey and challenges with us in this forum. How cool is that? Thank you, Valerie, for being so real for all of us.”

Another added: “We’ll never know how many people will be changed by your heartfelt and deeply personal post today. Thank you for giving hope to others.”

A third person commented: “Bravo! Two years for me, too. Still working through it but so much light and hope now and ahead. And the relief! Continue to be well!”

One more fan shared: “Thank YOU for being there for us as well, you have helped me SO much to get through these impossible times. I am forever grateful to you, and I LOVE seeing you happy and confident again.”

Bertinelli recently opened up about an anxiety attack she experienced, describing it as a “scary” moment and acknowledging how difficult it was to share.

“I’ve sat on this post for a day because it’s incredibly vulnerable,” she shared. “But I’m posting because we’re all out here doing our best having a human experience and none of us want to feel like we’re alone in that.”

At 64, Bertinelli mentioned that this particular anxiety attack was the most intense one she’d had in a long time, coming just hours after she had been “weeping uncontrollably.”

She described feeling unable to stop shaking and how her “heart felt like it was pounding out of [her] chest.”

In the Instagram video she posted, Bertinelli can be heard saying, “I’m doing my best. The after-effects of an anxiety attack f-cking suck.”