Valerie Bertinelli has always been open about her life ups and downs, from her iconic TV roles to her kitchen adventures on the Food Network. But now, at 65, she’s sharing something deeply personal that she’s kept hidden for decades.
In her new memoir, Getting Naked, out on March 10, 2026, from Harper Wave, she reveals for the first time that she was sexually abused at age 11. This comes straight from her exclusive interview with People magazine, where she talks about moving past the shame and finding strength. It’s a raw moment that shows her growth, and fans are already responding with support across social media.
A Shocking Revelation in Her New Memoir
Bertinelli didn’t set out to drop this bombshell in her book. She told People she originally planned Getting Naked as a guide to help people love themselves, body and all. But as she wrote, the truth came pouring out. “I had no plans to reveal this,” she said.
“This was going to be a book about teaching people how to love themselves. I did not know that I would go this far.” To make it even more poignant, she included a photo of herself at 11 right at the start of that chapter. “That was the little girl that was sexually abused,” she explained.
Recalling that time, Bertinelli painted a picture of her innocent childhood. She loved coloring, reading books, playing with her Barbies, riding her bike around the block, and hanging out with her cats. She was just a regular kid, full of joy.
Looking back, she feels anger about what happened. “It boggles my mind that this little girl was taken advantage of that way,” she shared. And she’s not alone in her outrage; the abuse still affects how she views the world today.
The Long Road to Letting Go of Shame
For years, Bertinelli carried the weight of that experience in silence. She admitted the abuse planted seeds of shame that grew into unhealthy habits, like turning to food and alcohol for comfort. “All of that shame had nothing to do with my body,” she reflected. “It was just something to take out my shame on. My poor body.” She was mean to herself, using those crutches to numb the pain.
It took at least a decade to get to a place where she could face it head-on. Therapy played a big role; that’s where she first said the words out loud. But at first, talking about it made things tougher, pushing her deeper into those coping mechanisms.
Then, in 2024, a major anxiety attack changed everything. It hit after she stopped relying on food and drink to escape, forcing her to deal with the buried emotions. “You can deal with them or not. And I chose to deal with them,” she said.
Now, she’s transformed that pain into power. “I guess because I’m healing from it, it’s not so scary anymore,” Bertinelli told People. “I can say it out loud. I was sexually assaulted. It doesn’t feel like it owns me anymore.” That shift from shame to anger marks her progress. She’s pissed off, not at herself, but at the fact that it happened and that it keeps happening to others.
From Victim to Survivor: Valerie’s Healing Tools
Bertinelli’s journey to healing didn’t happen overnight. She leaned on journaling to process her thoughts and therapy to unpack the trauma. Her son, Wolfgang Van Halen, has been a huge support, along with her love for cooking, which brings her joy and connection.
Professionally, things are looking up too. After starring in One Day at a Time starting at age 15, and later in Hot in Cleveland with Betty White, she’s now part of the “Drew Crew” on The Drew Barrymore Show, which she calls “an oasis.”
She’s also launching Valerie’s Place, a digital community for cooking and inclusivity. “I want to build a community where everybody is welcome,” she said. “It’s a place where people can come in to my kitchen and cook with me because I’ve missed that a lot.”
These elements have helped her rebuild. Fans on social media are cheering her on, showing solidarity. Her story resonates because it’s real, coming from someone who’s been in the spotlight since her teens, navigating fame, marriage to Eddie Van Halen, and motherhood.
A Call to Action and Hope for Others
Bertinelli isn’t just sharing for herself; she wants to help others. She’s furious that child abuse continues, and in a video clip shared by People, she connected it to current politics, saying she’s “furious” about what’s happening as someone abused at 11. “It’s still happening … and I’m furious about it. And we need to start speaking up and saying, ‘Enough,’” she urged in her interview.
Her message is clear: No one deserves this, and speaking out can lead to healing. By going public, she’s encouraging survivors to seek help. Resources like the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE or Crisis Text Line by texting “STRENGTH” to 741-741 are there for support.
As reactions pour in, from supportive tweets to media coverage, Bertinelli’s bravery stands out. She’s turned a dark chapter into a beacon for change, proving that at any age, it’s possible to reclaim your story.
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