Valerie Bertinelli, the beloved actress and former Food Network host, has courageously opened up about being sexually abused as a young girl in her forthcoming memoir, Getting Naked. In a deeply personal interview with People magazine ahead of the book's release on March 10, 2026, Bertinelli revealed that she was assaulted at just 11 years old, a revelation she initially had no intention of sharing publicly.
An Unplanned Disclosure in a Journey of Self-Love
Bertinelli, now 65, explained that her memoir was originally conceived as a guide to self-acceptance, not a platform for disclosing trauma. "I had no plans to reveal this," she confessed. "This was going to be a book about teaching people how to love themselves. I did not know that I would go this far." However, as part of her ongoing healing process, she decided to include this painful chapter, stating that speaking out has become less daunting over time.
"I guess because I'm healing from it, it’s not so scary anymore," Bertinelli added. "I can say it out loud. I was sexually assaulted. It doesn't feel like it owns me anymore. I’m a survivor." Her words underscore a powerful shift from victimhood to empowerment, resonating with many who have faced similar experiences.
Reflecting on Childhood and the Urgency to Act
In Getting Naked, Bertinelli includes a poignant photograph of herself at age 11, representing the innocence that was violated. "That was the little girl that was sexually abused," she told People, expressing disbelief and anger that such abuse persists today. "It boggles my mind that this little girl was taken advantage of that way. It boggles my mind because it’s still happening ... and I’m furious about it. And we need to start speaking up and saying, 'Enough.'"
She fondly recalled her childhood interests, painting a vivid picture of a typical young girl: "I loved to color, read, play with my Barbies and ride my bike around the block. I loved my cats. I was just a little girl." This contrast highlights the jarring impact of the abuse on her formative years.
The Long Road to Healing and Previous Memoir Insights
Bertinelli admitted that it took her at least a decade to begin discussing the assault, and even after confiding in a therapist, the process was arduous. "It got worse before it got better," she noted, emphasizing the complex nature of trauma recovery. This revelation builds on her earlier memoir, Enough Already: Learning to Love the Way I Am Today, published in 2022, where she reflected on her life, including her relationship with her first husband, Eddie Van Halen.
In that book, Bertinelli shared emotional details about Van Halen's death from cancer in 2020, revealing she told him, "Maybe next time. Maybe next time, we’ll get it right," as he lay dying. She described their nearly four-decade bond as one of "love, anger, frustration and friendship," and wrote, "I loved Ed more than I know how to explain. I loved his soul." These insights into her personal struggles and relationships add depth to her latest disclosures.
A Call to Action and Support Resources
With Getting Naked set to hit shelves on March 10, Bertinelli's story serves as a rallying cry for survivors to break their silence. Her bravery in sharing such a private ordeal aims to foster dialogue and support around sexual abuse. For those affected, organizations like Rape Crisis offer assistance across the UK, while in the US, Rainn provides confidential help through their hotline.
Bertinelli's journey from a traumatized child to a vocal survivor underscores the importance of speaking out and seeking healing, making her memoir a potentially transformative read for many.
