Valerie Bertinelli is shrugging off the criticism she received after paying tribute to her late ex-husband, musician Eddie Van Halen.

The actor turned celebrity chef acknowledged the sixth anniversary of Van Halen’s death Tuesday by sharing a throwback photo on her social media platforms that showed the pair driving together on a highway.

“Photos may fade, like old photos do, but not the memories and never the love,” she wrote in the caption.

The snapshot, however, quickly divided Bertinelli’s followers, with some questioning why she’d reflect on Van Halen, who died in 2020 at age 65, so fondly. The couple ― who share a son, Wolfgang ― divorced in 2007 after about 26 years of marriage.

“It’s weird you hold on to EDDIE, as if you two were a couple in the end. It’s just weird always talking about him as if he’s your identity ….STOP being that EX,” one person wrote on Instagram.

Added another on Facebook: “Still playing the widow.”

Later on Tuesday, Bertinelli posted a video on Instagram in which she defended her choice to share the photo and blasted the negative comments she’d received as “coercive control.”

“You can’t tell me how I feel. Nobody can tell you how you feel,” she said in the clip. “My heart can hold a lot of love. I have a big piece right here that’s got Ed’s name all over it ... and if I ever fall in love again, I’ll make room in my heart for that new person without it touching the love I have for Ed, my son, my daughter ... all of the people that I love.”

“I love Ed. Never stopped loving Ed, and my heart loves a lot,” she continued. “Don’t you wish yours could, too?”

Bertinelli’s latest sentiments about her ex echo those she shared with People in March. She told the outlet that she and Van Halen had remained on friendly terms in the years since their divorce while noting that their split had been brought on by his experiences with drug and alcohol addiction.

“I can’t help but love the man. I went through so much with him, and I’m so grateful for the last year that we had,” she said. “There’ll always be a huge part of my heart that contains Ed. He gave me the greatest gift, our son.”

She went on to note: “Would we have ever been intimate together again? I really don’t think so. But I’ve never loved another man the way I loved Ed. And that’s just the way it is.”

At the time of his death, Van Halen was married to Janie Liszewski, with whom he’d tied the knot in 2009.

Bertinelli split from businessman Tom Vitale in 2021 after 10 years of marriage. Their divorce was finalized in 2022.

The TV personality ― who unveiled a memoir, “Getting Naked,” earlier this year ― dated lifestyle writer Mike Goodnough from about 2024 to 2025.

Shortly after their romance ended, Goodnough opened up about their “complicated relationship” in an Instagram post and described their split as “by far the most painful experience of my life.”

By entering your email and clicking Sign Up, you're agreeing to let us send you customized marketing messages about us and our advertising partners. You are also agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.