Eddie Van Halen Marries Longtime Girlfriend
- Posted on Jun 29th 2009 11:00AM by John D. Luerssen
- Comments (310)
Eddie Van Halen married his longtime girlfriend on the grounds of his seven-acre manse Saturday night. Wearing flip-flops, the iconic guitarist wed Janie Liszewski, in his estate's garden after she came down the aisle to a performance of Van Halen's 'When It's Love' by the Sonus Quartet.According to People, Eddies 18-year-old son, Wolfgang, served as best man for his second marriage. The 54-year-old guitarist's drummer/brother Alex Van Halen, an ordained minister, officiated at the 20-minute, non-denominational service. Van Halen's ex-wife, Valerie Bertinelli -- who he divorced in 2006, after 25 years of marriage -- was among the 100 or so guests who sipped non-alcoholic beverages from the lemonade bar in honor of Eddie's year-and-a-half of sobriety.
For their first dance, Van Halen chose 'You Are So Beautiful' by Joe Cocker, followed by his wife's selection, Cyndi Lauper's 'Time After Time.' The couple intends on honeymooning in New York, Germany and Eddie's birthplace, the Netherlands.
Reader Comments(1 of 16)
missdeni16at 6-29-2009
how can his ex wife of 25 years ( val bertinelli) attend. how wierd is that? i mean that is too close for comfort! and trust me i am an open minded person who has stayed friends with many ( not all) of my ex's. but going and watching them profess their love? wierd.
BETSYat 6-29-2009
NOT REALLY, IT IS ONLY REALIZING THAT IT WAS WHAT IT WAS WHEN IT WAS AND IT IS OK AND IT IS TIME TO MOVE ON AND BECAUSE YOU CARED ENOUGH FOR THE OTHER PERSON YOU DO WANT THEM TO BE HAPPY AND WHEN YOU KNOW THAT THAT IS THE RIGHT THING FOR THAT PERSON YOU CAN EMBRACE THE WHOLE THING AND BE THERE. NOT TO SAY THAT IT DOES SOUND WEIRD BUT IT ACTUALLY WORKS FOR SOME PEOPLE AND I AM GLAD. IT TAKES A LOT OF MATURITY FOR IT THOUGH.
Bracha Tovaat 6-29-2009
Agreed. Super weird.
lisalisa49at 6-29-2009
Weird? Um, no. Unselfish? Supportive? Yes. Valerie and Eddie have children together, they should have a civil relationship. After most divorces, typically most ex's loath the other, even if they have children together. It is amazing how selfish people can be; ex's need to love their kids more than they hate each other. Selfish ex's do not realize how bad feeling totally screw their kids up, no matter how old they are. I applaud Valerie for being a great, supportive mother. And her going to her ex's wedding just shows how much she loves her kids. I'm glad she's not the typical, bitter, selfish ex who puts her own feelings over her kids. BRAVO! Weird? Are you kidding me? Get a clue: this is how things should be after a divorce.
ronnieat 6-29-2009
I dont think it is weird at all, I think its great that they can still be friends and not rip each other apart whenever they get a chance, good for them.
Fayat 6-29-2009
My husband's ex-wife was at our wedding and there was absolutely nothing weird about it. It was also wonderful for his kids as well. 12 years later we are one big happy family and the kids couldn't be happier. Kudos to Valerie and Eddie for their continued support for each other!!
Nanetteat 6-29-2009
I would attend. We have remained friends (my ex after 29 year marriage. We stayed friends for our adult children and her son was in the wedding party. If others behaved as adults, fewer children, adult and little ones would be less messed up!!!!!!!
I don't know if he would feel the same way about attending mine, but I know I would attend for the sake of my adult children and grandchildren; if I were invited.
agonzalez15at 6-29-2009
I totally agree with you missdeni
justwoman62at 6-29-2009
guess ya just gotta be a grownup!
Shelliat 6-29-2009
My parents are divorced. To this day and since the time they were separated, we all get together for holidays. New husband and new wife as well. It makes it easier for everyone and it's only awkward for those who don't understand how devoted they are to their children and want true happiness for each other.
I think it's absolutely fabulous that Valerie attended. It shows their children support goes beyond divorce. Good for all involved!
nickie2920at 6-29-2009
not really, after 25 years (I have been married 28) your love will always be there. Maybe they just couldn't live with each other anymore.
lisa0401at 6-29-2009
i'm with you miss deni. supportive yes, friendly yes, but i would not have attended. i would have felt awkward and i would think the new wife would have felt awkward no matter how much she professed not to. it was a day for new wives not ex's
JOHNNIEat 6-29-2009
Miss Deni, your ex is plural. How often have you walked down the aisle? That may explain your disapproval. Like mature adults, they have remained friendly and they share a child. Her being at the wedding was the correct thing to do on both sides.
jody velascoat 6-29-2009
Why not? They have a child together and are obviously supportive of each other and there son. This is why so many families fall apart. My ex and I are still super good friends and will attend the ceremony should either one of us get married again. I have had dinner with he and his girlfriend and vice versa. I always say we loved and nurtured each other through a great part of our life and did so until we both found the loves we have now. We are still very close but not in a way that disprespects our partners. Just because we did not make it as a couple in no way takes away from the love and friendship we have now, in the past and in the future. Congrats to them that they can look past the garbage and see thier past for what it was and the future for what it will be! Hooray!!
Barbaraat 6-29-2009
Why is this wierd? If they have remained friends and had an amicable divorce...they do have a child together. Also, you mentioned that you have stayed friends with many, but not all, of your ex's - how many are you talking about? A marriage of 25 years is much different than a "casual" marriage. I am in the middle of ending a 28 year marriage and I hope that after time, we can be friends and supportive.
Karenat 6-29-2009
Not so weird really. Not when you've forgiven the other person and truly moved on in your own life. If you ever really loved someone you don't mind cheering for them when they find happiness again, even if it's not with you.
dbranch109at 6-29-2009
please use spell check
Kellyjeffers45at 6-29-2009
I totally agree with you. I think its weird too! I can understand Wolfgang attending, its his son, but not his exwife. Crazy things are happening everyday.
shari30at 6-29-2009
Its called being mature adults!!
Willaat 6-29-2009
Demi Moore and Ashton hang out with Bruce Willis and his new wife(?) all the time. They have a great relationship. Why not?