Valerie Bertinelli is speaking out for the first time about her experience of being sexually abused when she was just 11 years old.
The “One Day at a Time” alum, 65, opened up about the shocking incident in a new interview with People published Wednesday to promote her upcoming memoir, “Getting Naked.”
“It’s taken me 10 years at least,” Bertinelli told the outlet regarding her decision to come forward more than 50 years later. “The very first time I said it out loud to my therapist, I thought ‘I’m going to feel better now.’”
Valerie Bertinelli (pictured here on the cover of her new book) is speaking out for the first time about being sexually abused at 11 years old. Harper Wave
The “One Day at a Time” alum (seen here in 2023) opened up about the incident during a new interview to promote her upcoming memoir, “Getting Naked.” wolfiesmom/Instagram
Although the “Touched by an Angel” alum admitted that “it got worse before it got better” and she “maybe ate a little bit more” and “drank a little bit more” to distract herself, she ultimately decided to “deal with” her feelings.
“You can deal with them or not. And I chose to deal with them,” she said. “I don’t feel shame about it anymore. I’m pissed off that it happened. Nobody deserves that.”
But Bertinelli also shared that she “had no plans to reveal” she was sexually abused at the age of 11, and “Getting Naked” – which is out March 10 – was initially supposed to be a “book about teaching people how to love themselves.”
“I guess because I’m healing from it, it’s not so scary anymore,” she told People. “I can say it out loud. I was sexually assaulted. It doesn’t feel like it owns me anymore.”
“I don’t feel shame about it anymore. I’m pissed off that it happened. Nobody deserves that,” Bertinelli (seen here during the 51st Daytime Emmy Awards in 2024) said. Getty Images
Bertinelli (pictured here during an episode of “The Drew Barrymore Show”) also shared that she “had no plans to reveal” she was sexually abused at the age of 11. The Drew Barrymore Show/Ash Bean
The Golden Globe winner also discussed why she “purposely” opened the chapter of her book about her sexual assault with a picture of herself at 11.
“Because that was the little girl that was sexually abused,” she explained. “And it boggles my mind that this little girl was taken advantage of that way.”
She added, “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.’”
Bertinelli’s reps did not immediately respond to Page Six’s request for comment.
The Golden Globe winner (pictured here as a teenager in the 1970s) discussed why she “purposely” opened the chapter of her book about sexual abuse with a picture of herself at 11. Getty Images
“It boggles my mind that this little girl was taken advantage of that way,” Bertinelli (pictured here with her son, Wolfgang Van Halen, at the 64th Grammy Awards in 2022) said of herself at 11. Getty Images for The Recording Academy
Elsewhere during her chat about “Getting Naked,” the Emmy winner acknowledged everything that she still appreciates amid her devastating experience as a sexual abuse victim.
Bertinelli, who serves as a lifestyle expert on “The Drew Barrymore Show,” called the popular daytime program an “oasis.”
She also credited her son, Wolfgang Van Halen, with helping her recover from the trauma she’s suffered.
Bertinelli welcomed Wolfgang, 34, with ex-husband Eddie Van Halen in 1991. Eddie tragically passed away from a stroke at 65 in 2020, 13 years after he and the lifestyle expert divorced in 2007.
Bertinelli (seen here leaving ABC Studio in April 2024) acknowledged the things she still appreciates amid her devastating experience as a sexual abuse victim. GC Images
The Emmy winner (seen here with her son and his wife, Andraia Van Halen, during a 32nd Academy Awards viewing party) credited her son, her love of cooking and “The Drew Barrymore Show” with helping her heal. WireImage,
The icon and her second husband, Tom Vitale, divorced in 2022, 11 years after tying the knot in 2011.
Bertinelli, meanwhile, also credited her passion for cooking and her digital platform, Valerie’s Place, with helping her address her trauma.
“I want to build a community where everybody is welcome,” Bertinelli said of Valerie’s Place. “It’s a place where people can come into my kitchen and cook with me because I’ve missed that a lot.”
If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call the Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-330-0226.