Valerie Bertinelli, who previously declared she was off the market, has found a new boyfriend on Instagram. The 63-year-old made it official on Instagram by captioning a selfie with lyrics from Taylor Swift’s “So High School,” two years after her divorce from Tom Vitale and four years after Eddie Van Halen’s passing. She wrote, “I’ll drink what you think and I’m high from smokin’ your jokes all damn night.”
Entertainment Tonight revealed her new partner is writer Mike Goodnough, known as the Hoarse Whisperer. Bertinelli stirred rumors earlier this month when she told USA TODAY, “I’ve met someone. And I’m really appreciative of him.” She added, “It’s not like any connection I’ve ever had with a man before. I feel so fortunate to have met him.”
Goodnough confirmed their relationship in a Substack essay, humorously recounting, “Ms. Bertinelli” confirmed they were dating, calling him her “life partner.”
Valerie shared that she started following Goodnough on social media in 2016 or 2017, with mutual following in 2018. They likely began messaging after her 2022 divorce from Vitale. She described him as “a super funny, incredibly talented writer,” and told PEOPLE Magazine, “I’m in love.”