Valerie Bertinelli Reflects on Life Lessons from Betty White

Valerie Bertinelli recently reminisced about her time with television legend Betty White during an episode of “The Drew Barrymore Show.” In a segment shared with viewers, she answered a fan’s question about valuable advice she’s received.

Bertinelli pointed to White, stating, “The best advice comes from Betty White.” She emphasized how much White embodied gratitude, remarking, “I thought I was grateful. She was just alive and breathing gratitude.” This mindset, according to Bertinelli, helped her navigate the “really challenging things” she’s faced over the past few years, ultimately making her thankful even for the tougher experiences.

“It was tough, and sure, I wish it hadn’t happened, but it was a lesson I needed to learn,” she reflected. “Sometimes, I believe there are intentional missteps to guide us in figuring things out.” She concluded by expressing, “So, I’m definitely grateful—every moment, even when it’s hard, especially the hard ones. It’s all thanks to Betty White.”

Bertinelli and White appeared together on “Hot in Cleveland,” which aired from 2010 to 2015. In the show, Bertinelli played a character who shares a home with White’s character, Elka Ostrovsky, who was a senior from Los Angeles moving to Cleveland.

Speaking of White earlier this year, Bertinelli described her as “magic,” expressing how lucky she felt to work with her for five years.

On her social media, Bertinelli has been candid about her personal challenges, including a particularly tough stretch she shared with her followers in May 2025. She stated that she’d endured “the most emotionally unbearable eight months of my life.” However, she was quick to clarify that she didn’t want anyone to feel pity for her, acknowledging that everyone faces their own hardships.

Two months later, she opened up about her struggles to maintain composure during intensely difficult moments. “I’ve been feeling really intense, uncomfortable things lately. I want to escape my feelings,” she confessed. But, she reasoned, “What helps is to truly feel those emotions, to work through them.” Yet, she faced obstacles even in expressing her sadness.

While she didn’t go into detail about her current struggles, it’s worth noting that she separated from her boyfriend, Mike Goodnow, after a relationship that lasted ten months, ending in November 2024.