Valerie Bertinelli Revealed She Wanted To Marry Elton John Prior To Meeting Eddie Van Halen

Valerie Bertinelli has starred in hit shows such as "Hot In Cleveland" and "Touched By An Angel," where she has embodied the role of a strong, funny, and Independent woman. Still, one role she takes really seriously is that of a mom to her son, Wolfgang Van Halen.

She shares Wolfgang with late musician Eddie Van Halen, whom she separated from in 2007 after 25 years of being together. Despite their divorce and his death, mother and son have maintained their irreparable bond. 

They've also continually displayed and exhibited their mutual support and affection for each other. 

Recently, the actress shared with her son of her intentions to get married to Elton Johnbefore her late ex-husband, who doubled as his father, came along. 

Read on for the details of the disclosure.

During an appearance on Sirius XM's "Wolfgang Top Of The Pack," she shared the music she'd play for her husband during the hard times.

As she played Elton John's "Burn Down The Mission," she proceeded to tell her son about the romantic feelings she had for the musician before Van Halen came along.

"Elton John — thought I was going to marry him before I met your dad," she began, (via People.)

However, her son quipped in the impossibility of it all, referencing that Elton was gay.

"No, it wouldn't have," Bertinelli responded. "But I still love and adore him, and I think he's brilliant. This is one of my absolute favorite songs, 'cause I love the piano rideout." 

She continued with a laugh, "The live version is even more stunning, but I definitely wore this album out, and then eventually I was able to meet him with your dad, and he definitely liked your dad more than me." 

She recalled she adored the five-time Grammy winner because he was so "sweet."

"I'm sure he liked you very much," Wolfgang assured his mother.

Before playing Elton John's song from his 1970 "Tumbleweed Connection" album, she played Pat Benatar's "We Belong." She also shared an anecdote of what the song meant to her relationship.

 "I love that song so, so, so much. This is a song that… Your dad and I were going through some challenging times, and its lyrics really, really, really hit me." 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qxZInIyOBXk

She continued, "He went back and forth, as you know, throughout — I think this song was from the '80s. First of all, I love Pat Benatar. Her voice was strong and operatic, and she was able to make that into an amazing rock song and rock voice." 

She also added her love for the lyrics, which spoke about "staying together" and "belonging together" regardless of whatever either parties might be going through.

"Something uplifting, and the harmonies in this are beautiful. I love that song, so yeah. It meant something to me and dad," she concluded.

Van Halen passed away from throat cancer on October 6, 2020. The legendary rocker musician has been dealing with throat cancer for over 20 years and spent five years shuttling between Germany and the US to procure chemotherapy treatments.

Per TMZ, Van Halen died in a hospital in Santa Monica, where he was surrounded by his wife Janie, ex-wife Bertinelli, brother Alex and son Wolfgang.

Shortly after he died, the "Touched By An Angel" actress wrote a heartfelt tribute to her ex-husband via her Instagram, calling him a "light-bringer."

"40 years ago my life changed forever when I met you. You gave me the one true light in my life, our son, Wolfgang," she wrote, adding a black and white image of the pair. "I'm so grateful Wolfie and I were able to hold you in your last moments. I will see you in our next life, my love." 

Before they split in 2005, Bertinelli and Van Halen were the talk of the entertainment industry as a couple. While he was the legendary rocker musician, she was a leading star in Hollywood.

However, after over a decade of marriage, the pair couldn't hold it down.

During an interview with Today, Bertinelli explained that their relationship ended due to the naiveté of each party. She added that they both "went through hell" in the relationship, but despite that, she doesn't regret being loved by the musician.

She also added that she was grateful for the gift of their son, Wolfgang.

"I think that partly, Wolfie is a soulmate of mine. When I think of soul mates, I think of souls that come here to experience this life on Earth together again and get to a higher place," she concluded.