Valerie Bertinelli will always have great love for her ex-husband Eddie Van Halen.
The guitar icon died in October at the age of 65 from cancer.
The two married from 1981 to 2007 and have a son named Wolfgang, 29.
Valerie Bertinelli and Eddie Van Halen were married from 1981 to 2007.
(Getty)
“It’s weird,” revealed the actress who became a kitchen personality during her appearance on Thursday on “Today” with Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager. “The shame of sadness is something I never thought would happen to me. I don’t want to talk about it now, but I met the man 40 years ago. I was 20 when I met him. I still loved him. We spent a lot of time together. He is the my son’s father. “
VALERIE BERTINELLI ADMITS ‘HAS BEEN RUGGED’ SINCE DE EDDIE VAN HALEN’S DEATH
“He is the father of the greatest gift of my life,” added the 60-year-old man, choking when Wolfgang’s photos appeared on the screen next to his late father. “And I miss him. And I’m allowed to miss him.”
After the duo split up, Van Halen remarried in 2009 to the stuntman who became a publicist Janie Liszewski. Bertinelli also tied the knot to Tom Vitale again in 2011.
Bertinelli said that as the relationship ended, the love lasted.
“He was a big part of my life,” she said. “Just because we loved each other didn’t diminish the love he had for Janie or me for Tom, so it’s a different kind of love. I don’t know how to explain it. Maybe one day I’ll find out and write a book about it.”
EDDIE VAN HALEN REMEMBERED BY EX-WIFE VALERIE BERTINELLI: ‘WE HAVE BEEN SOME BEAUTIFUL TIMES’
In January, Bertinelli admitted that it was difficult to adjust to a life without Van Halen.
“It’s been difficult,” she said during her appearance on “Today” for a culinary segment. “Very bittersweet. We’re doing well. We spent the holidays together. I’ll see [son Wolf] later today. We have spent a lot of time together. “
“It’s difficult,” the star shared. “I’ve texted him a few dozen times and I was like, ‘Oh, I can’t text him right now’.”
At the time of Van Halen’s death, Bertinelli took to Instagram where he paid tribute to the musician.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPLICATION
“40 years ago my life changed forever when I met you,” she wrote. “You gave me the only true light in my life, our son Wolfgang. Through all of your challenging lung cancer treatments, you kept your beautiful spirit and that mischievous smile. I am very grateful to Wolfie and I were able to hold you last moments. I will see you in our next life, my love. “
Jessica Napoli and Fox News’ The Associated Press contributed to this report.