Eddie Van Halen, a luminary in music, left an indelible mark as a legendary guitarist, songwriter, and co-founder of the iconic band Van Halen. Renowned for his innovative guitar techniques and distinctive sound, he revolutionized rock music with his virtuosic skills. His lightning-fast solos, intricate finger tapping, and mastery of whammy bar tricks influenced countless musicians and reshaped the landscape of rock music for generations to come. Tragically, he passed away on October 6, 2020, at the age of 65, following a prolonged battle with cancer.
His untimely demise marked the end of a highly successful career that had left an enduring legacy in the annals of rock history. The late musician’s ex-wife, Valerie Bertinelli, recently shared humorous details about how the family paid their first respect to the legend by ordering a pizza after his death.
Valerie Bertinelli says she and other family members ordered pizza after Eddie Van Halen’s death
During an interview with People magazine for its cover story, Bertinelli disclosed the profound impact of Van Halen’s death, expressing that it was genuinely incomprehensible for her and the other loved ones who were gathered around his hospital bed. “I didn’t want to believe it was happening,” she told the news outlet. “Even while it was happening, I wasn’t believing it was happening.”
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She also explained that following his passing, the family, comprising his son Wolfgang Van Halen and his brother and bandmate Alex Van Halen, chose to commemorate him with a meal featuring his favorite dishes. In a touching gesture, they ordered pizza to be sent directly to the hospital as they mourned the singer. “I forget who suggested it, but we were like, ‘Should we have pizza?’ Because he couldn’t eat, and the last thing Ed really wanted was pizza, he loved pizza and burritos, so we had pizza in his hospital room,” Bertinelli added. “I hope people don’t think that’s morbid.”
Although Bertinelli and Van Halen finalized their divorce in 2007, she explained that they maintained a deep bond until his passing. Bertinelli added that Van Halen’s final words to her before his death conveyed his awareness of their eternal connection.
“He knew how much I loved him,” she confessed. “I knew how much he loved me. The last words he said to me and to Wolfie were, ‘I love you.’ Ed was very giving with his heart. He wore it on his sleeve.”