Valerie Bertinelli has spoken openly about her body image in her memoir, Getting Naked: The Quiet Work of Becoming Perfectly Imperfect. During a conversation with Drew Barrymore at the 92NY in New York on 10 March, the 65-year-old actress reflected candidly on her breasts, describing them as “deformed” and detailing the four surgeries she underwent in 2024. She explained that her experiences with breast implants, first received in the late 1980s and later removed, influenced both her physical appearance and self-perception.
++ Fewer than 400 left: the fight to save a vanishing ocean giant
Bertinelli revealed that repeated weight changes over the years had left her breasts significantly altered, prompting the decision to have the implants removed. Following the surgery, she suffered a severe infection that required further surgical intervention, leaving her with noticeable changes that she described as a “crater”. She also noted that one more procedure would be necessary to even out her appearance.
Despite the challenges, Bertinelli maintained a humorous outlook, highlighting that her pets were the primary observers of her body and that dating was not a current concern. She reflected that humour had been essential in coping with the physical and emotional aspects of her surgeries, emphasising the personal acceptance that underpins her memoir.
++ Trump criticises Israel strikes amid widening Iran conflict
Bertinelli’s personal life has also seen public attention. She was married to the late musician Eddie Van Halen from 1981 until their divorce in 2007 and shares a son, Wolfgang Van Halen. She later married financial planner Tom Vitale in 2011, divorcing in 2022. Her memoir intertwines these experiences with reflections on self-image, resilience and embracing imperfection.
