Valerie Bertinelli has courageously revealed that she was sexually abused at just 11 years old. The 65-year-old former Food Network star shared this deeply personal childhood trauma in her upcoming memoir, Getting Naked, which is scheduled for release on March 10.
A Decade-Long Struggle to Speak Out
Bertinelli explained that she grappled with whether to share her painful ordeal with the world for at least ten years before finding the strength to do so. In a revealing interview with People magazine, she stated: 'I guess because I'm healing from it, it's not so scary anymore. I can say it out loud. I was sexually assaulted. It doesn't feel like it owns me anymore.'
Therapeutic Journey and Emotional Processing
The actress detailed how she first discussed the abuse with her therapist, expecting immediate relief but instead experiencing a period of increased difficulty. 'The very first time I said it out loud to my therapist, I thought I'm going to feel better now. It got worse before it got better. I maybe ate a little bit more, drank a little bit more,' she confessed.
Bertinelli described the challenging process of confronting her emotions directly: 'When you stop eating things for comfort, stop drinking alcohol, it exposes your feelings. You can deal with them or not. And I chose to deal with them.'
From Shame to Anger and Advocacy
The television personality expressed that she no longer carries shame about what happened, but instead feels righteous anger. 'I don't feel shame about it anymore. I'm p***ed off that it happened. Nobody deserves that,' she declared emphatically.
In her memoir, Bertinelli includes a photograph of herself at age 11, writing: 'because that was the little girl that was sexually abused. And it boggles my mind that this little girl was taken advantage of that way.'
A Call to Action Against Abuse
The actress connects her personal experience to broader societal issues, stating: '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."'
The Healing Power of Writing
Bertinelli, who first gained fame in 1975 when One Day at a Time premiered, described her book as a collection of 'intimate and vulnerable essays, exploring aging, love, friendship, secrets and acceptance.'
Reflecting on the writing process, she shared: 'I didn't even realize how much I needed to write this book until I started. It helped heal something in me that I'm not sure I would've been able to do without writing it.'
Hope for Readers and Personal Transformation
The former child actor expressed her aspirations for the book's impact: 'My hope and deep wish is that it will inspire you to resist the negative thoughts in your own head, put yourself first, and let go of any judgement you may feel about yourself or what others may try their damnedest to make you feel.'
Career Context and Recent Developments
Bertinelli began her acting career at age 14 with a 1974 appearance on Apple's Way, before landing her breakthrough role as Barbara Cooper Royer on One Day at a Time the following year. More recently, she co-hosted the Food Network's Kids' Baking Championship with Duff Goldman from its 2015 inception until January 2024, when budget cuts led to her departure from the network.
Her manager confirmed at the time: 'Her deal expired, they opted not to renew it. They could have come to me with an offer just for Kids. They never did. Simple as that.' Bertinelli now makes regular appearances on The Drew Barrymore Show, continuing her television career while sharing her powerful story of survival and healing.
