Valerie Bertinelli was not explicitly fired from Food Network but was let go due to budget cuts and a decision not to renew her multi-series contract in 2022, impacting her role on Kids Baking Championship and Valerie’s Home Cooking. This move shocked fans, given her net worth of approximately $20 million and her status as a beloved culinary personality. At age 65, Bertinelli’s departure in 2024 sparked debates about network priorities, her career trajectory, and personal evolution. This article dives into the reasons behind her exit, her married life, salary insights, and new ventures, offering fresh perspectives on her journey.
The Real Reason Behind Valerie Bertinelli’s Food Network Exit
Valerie Bertinelli’s exit from Food Network wasn’t a straightforward dismissal but a complex business decision. Her multi-series deal, signed in 2018, expired in 2021 and was extended for one year. By 2022, Warner Bros. Discovery, Food Network’s parent company, opted not to renew it, effectively ending her tenure on Kids Baking Championship after 12 seasons and Valerie’s Home Cooking after 14 seasons. Bertinelli cited budget cuts as the primary reason in a January 2024 Instagram video, stating, “It really hurt my feelings.” Her manager, Marc Schwartz, clarified that no standalone offer for Kids Baking Championship was made, despite her willingness to continue.
This decision coincided with a shift in Food Network’s programming. Bertinelli expressed disappointment in a 2024 Threads post, noting the network’s pivot from educational cooking shows to competition-heavy formats. “I fell in love with Food Network two decades ago because of shows like 30 Minute Meals and Ina Garten’s,” she wrote. “It’s sad it’s not about cooking and learning anymore.” Fans echoed her sentiments, with many, including Khloé Kardashian, voicing support for her reinstatement.
Valerie Bertinelli’s Net Worth and Salary Insights
Valerie Bertinelli’s net worth is estimated at $20 million in 2025, amassed through her multifaceted career as an actress, cookbook author, and Food Network star. Her salary from Food Network likely varied, with reports suggesting hosts of her caliber earn between $50,000 to $100,000 per episode for flagship shows. While exact figures for Kids Baking Championship remain undisclosed, her long tenure and Emmy wins for Valerie’s Home Cooking suggest a substantial income stream. The non-renewal of her contract likely impacted her earnings, but her diverse portfolio, including bestselling cookbooks like Indulge, ensures financial stability.
Personal Life: Age, Married Status, and Dating Updates
At age 65, Valerie Bertinelli remains a vibrant figure in entertainment. Born on April 23, 1960, she has navigated personal and professional highs and lows with grace. Bertinelli was married twice: first to Eddie Van Halen from 1981 to 2007, with whom she shares her son, Wolfgang Van Halen, and later to Tom Vitale from 2011 to 2022. As of 2025, she is dating Mike Goodnough, a writer, and has shared glimpses of their relationship on social media, emphasizing her focus on self-love and growth. “I’m in a place where I’m enough for me,” she said in a 2024 interview, reflecting her personal evolution post-divorce.
Height, Weight, and Public Image
Valerie Bertinelli’s height is 5 feet 4 inches, and her weight has fluctuated over the years, a topic she’s addressed candidly due to public scrutiny. In her memoir, Enough Already, she discusses overcoming body image struggles, which resonated with fans. Her transparency about weight and self-acceptance has made her a relatable figure, enhancing her appeal beyond the kitchen. This authenticity likely contributed to her strong fanbase, which rallied against Food Network’s decision to part ways.
A Shifting Food Network Landscape
Food Network’s decision reflects broader industry trends. In 2022, Warner Bros. Discovery underwent significant restructuring post-merger, with key executives like Courtney White and Jane Latman exiting. These changes influenced programming strategies, prioritizing cost-effective competition shows over personality-driven content. Bertinelli’s shows, while popular, were expensive to produce due to her salary and production costs. A source close to the network suggested executives believed Bertinelli wouldn’t accept a reduced deal for Kids Baking Championship alone, a miscommunication that led to her departure.
Unique Insights: The Emotional and Cultural Impact
From a first-hand perspective, having followed Bertinelli’s career, her exit feels like a loss of warmth in Food Network’s lineup. Her shows weren’t just about recipes; they were about connection. Valerie’s Home Cooking won two Emmys in 2019, reflecting its cultural impact. Fans on platforms like X have called her “the heart of Food Network,” with over 10,000 posts in 2024 demanding her return. This outpouring underscores her role as a mentor on Kids Baking Championship, where she nurtured young talent with empathy.
A case study of similar exits, like Rachael Ray’s in 2023, reveals a pattern: networks prioritizing younger, less expensive talent or high-drama formats. Yet, Bertinelli’s fanbase, spanning generations, suggests Food Network underestimated her value. Her age and experience brought authenticity that newer hosts struggle to replicate.
What’s Next for Valerie Bertinelli?
In 2025, Valerie Bertinelli is embracing new opportunities. She’s focusing on her cookbook career, with Indulge receiving praise for its heartfelt recipes. She’s also exploring digital platforms, hinting at a potential YouTube channel for cooking tutorials, aligning with her desire to teach. Her Instagram (@wolfiesmom) and Threads presence remains strong, with 1.2 million followers engaging with her posts about self-love and resilience. Bertinelli’s height in the industry—both literal and figurative—ensures she’ll continue to shine.
Biography Table
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Valerie Anne Bertinelli |
| Age | 65 (Born April 23, 1960) |
| Net Worth | $20 million (2025 estimate) |
| Salary | Estimated $50,000–$100,000 per episode for Food Network shows |
| Height | 5 feet 4 inches |
| Weight | Varies; candid about body image struggles |
| Married Status | Divorced (Eddie Van Halen, 1981–2007; Tom Vitale, 2011–2022) |
| Dating | Mike Goodnough (2023–present) |
| Children | Wolfgang Van Halen |
| Career Highlights | One Day at a Time, Valerie’s Home Cooking, Kids Baking Championship |
| Emmy Wins | Two for Valerie’s Home Cooking (2019) |
| Current Projects | Cookbook Indulge, potential YouTube channel |
| Social Media | Instagram: @wolfiesmom, Threads |
Conclusion
Valerie Bertinelli’s departure from Food Network was a business-driven move, rooted in budget cuts and a strategic shift toward competition shows. At age 65, with a net worth of $20 million, she remains a cultural icon. Her married life, dating journey, and candidness about height and weight make her relatable, while her culinary legacy endures. As she explores new ventures, fans can follow her on Instagram and read more on Wikipedia. Her story is a reminder that even in setbacks, resilience and authenticity prevail.
