When you search for Tom Vitale, you are likely looking for answers about one of two very different men who share the same name. One is a financial planner and the former husband of beloved actress Valerie Bertinelli. The other is an award-winning television producer who spent years traveling the globe with the late Anthony Bourdain.
While their lives are completely separate, the confusion between them is common. This article explores the life of Tom Vitale the man who married and divorced a Hollywood icon while also clearing up the mix-up with the famous author of In the Weeds. From his career in finance to the details of his high-profile divorce, here is the deep dive into everything you need to know.
Quick Bio of Tom Vitale
| Category | Details |
| Full Name | Tom Vitale |
| Date of Birth | August 15, 1963 |
| Age | 61 (as of 2024) |
| Birthplace | California, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Education | Williams College |
| Profession | Financial Planner, Entrepreneur |
| Known For | Ex-husband of Valerie Bertinelli |
| Marital Status | Divorced |
| Ex-Spouse | Valerie Bertinelli (m. 2011–2022) |
| Children | 4 (from first marriage) |
| Net Worth | Approx. $5 Million |
| Residence | California, USA |
Who is Tom Vitale? The Financial Planner
Tom Vitale is an American financial planner, entrepreneur, and business executive. Born on August 15, 1963, in California, he has spent decades working in the financial sector. Unlike his famous ex-wife, he was not a public figure before their relationship began, and he has largely returned to a private life since their split.
Professionally, Tom Vitale built a career managing money and investments. He is known for his role as the co-founder and CEO of Veebow, an e-commerce company launched in 2011. The startup was designed to connect smart shoppers with local deals, helping businesses grow their reach. However, the company reportedly ceased operations around 2018.
Beyond his startup ventures, Tom Vitale has worked as a program manager and a strategy specialist. His background includes education at Williams College, where he laid the foundation for his future in business. While he does not carry the celebrity status of Valerie Bertinelli, his work in the financial industry has been steady and lucrative.
The “Other” Tom Vitale: Anthony Bourdain’s Producer
Before diving deeper into the marriage, it is crucial to address a major point of confusion. Many people search for Tom Vitale Bourdain or Tom Vitale Anthony Bourdain believing he is the same person who married Valerie. This is incorrect.
The Tom Vitale associated with Anthony Bourdain is a television director and producer. This Tom Vitale spent nearly 16 years traveling the world with the famous chef, working on hit shows like No Reservations and Parts Unknown. He is also the author of the acclaimed memoir, In the Weeds: Around the World and Behind the Scenes with Anthony Bourdain, published in 2021.
If you are wondering “in the weeds tom vitale” or looking for the man who directed Anthony Bourdain, that is the producer, not the financial planner. The Tom Vitale discussed in the rest of this article is the one who was married to the One Day at a Time star.
Meeting Valerie Bertinelli
The romance between Tom Vitale and Valerie Bertinelli began in 2004. They were introduced by Valerie’s brother, Patrick Bertinelli, who thought the two might hit it off. At the time, both were navigating life after difficult relationships.
Valerie Bertinelli had previously been married to rock legend Eddie Van Halen. Their marriage was iconic but troubled, ending in divorce in 2007 after years of separation. Tom Vitale was also coming out of a marriage to his first wife, with whom he shares four children.
When they met, Tom Vitale provided a sense of stability and normalcy that appealed to the actress. They bonded quickly, blending their families. Tom Vitale became a stepfather figure to Valerie’s son, Wolfgang Van Halen, and Valerie embraced Tom’s children. For years, they seemed to be the perfect match, proving that love could be found again after heartbreak.
The Wedding: Valerie Bertinelli and Tom Vitale
After dating for several years, Valerie Bertinelli and Tom Vitale decided to make it official. They got married on January 1, 2011, in a surprise ceremony at their home in Malibu, California.
The Valerie Bertinelli Tom Vitale wedding was intimate and filled with close family and friends. Guests were initially invited under the pretense of a New Year’s Day party, only to be surprised by the nuptials. Valerie Bertinelli wore a custom blue dress, stepping away from traditional white, signaling a fresh start.
Witnesses at the wedding included Eddie Van Halen and Wolfgang Van Halen, showing the amicable nature of their blended family at the time. For over a decade, the couple appeared happy. Tom Vitale even made appearances on her Food Network show, Valerie’s Home Cooking, where they shared meals and family stories on camera.
Why Did Valerie Bertinelli Divorce Tom Vitale?
Despite the happy public image, the marriage eventually crumbled. Fans were shocked when news broke that they were separating. The question on everyone’s mind was: why did Valerie Bertinelli divorce Tom Vitale?
In November 2021, Valerie filed for legal separation, citing “irreconcilable differences.” The situation escalated quickly. Six months later, she amended her filing to a petition for divorce. In candid interviews, Valerie revealed that the relationship had become toxic. She stated that “we became very unkind to one another” and admitted that she had spent years “tolerating intolerable things.”
While she did not explicitly detail abuse, the phrase “what did tom vitale do to valerie” became a common search query. Valerie hinted at emotional struggles, saying the marriage had chipped away at her happiness. She has since described the divorce as one of the best days of her life, famously posting a video exclaiming, “I am officially f***ing divorced!” when the paperwork was signed.
The Spousal Support Battle
The divorce process was far from smooth. A major point of contention was money. Tom Vitale challenged the validity of their prenuptial agreement, which they had signed before their 2011 wedding.
In July 2022, Tom Vitale requested $50,000 per month in spousal support. He also asked for $200,000 to cover his legal fees. His legal team argued that he lacked access to funds compared to his famous wife. This move sparked a legal battle that delayed the final settlement.
Valerie Bertinelli fought back, standing by the terms of their prenup, which stated that neither party would pay spousal support. Her lawyers worked to bifurcate the marital status from the financial issues to speed up the process. The request for such high monthly support drew significant media attention to Tom Vitale and his financial status.
The Divorce Settlement
The divorce was officially finalized in November 2022. In the end, the court upheld the prenuptial agreement, and Tom Vitale was denied the ongoing spousal support he requested. However, he did not walk away empty-handed.
As part of the final settlement, Valerie Bertinelli agreed to pay Tom Vitale a lump sum of $2.2 million. This payment was to settle all claims and ensure a clean break. In exchange, Tom Vitale had to vacate her Malibu home by the end of the year.
The settlement effectively ended the legal war. Valerie expressed immense relief, focusing on her “Joy of Cooking” and her future, while Tom Vitale retreated from the public eye with his settlement.
Tom Vitale Net Worth
Given the high-stakes financial battle, many are curious about the Tom Vitale net worth. As of late 2023 and entering 2024, estimates place his net worth around $5 million.
This figure is respectable but pales in comparison to Valerie Bertinelli, whose net worth is estimated to be over $20 million. This disparity was the driving force behind his request for support.
Tom Vitale built his wealth through his work as a financial planner, his role at Veebow, and various investments over the years. Searching for “financial planner tom vitale net worth” reveals that while he is successful, the divorce settlement of $2.2 million likely provided a significant boost to his liquid assets.
Tom Vitale Age and Personal Stats
Tom Vitale is currently 61 years old (as of late 2024). He maintains a fit lifestyle and has been seen in the past participating in outdoor activities.
- Name: Tom Vitale
- Birth Date: August 15, 1963
- Birthplace: California, USA
- Profession: Financial Planner, Entrepreneur
- Education: Williams College
- Relationship Status: Divorced (Single)
When looking up “tom vitale bio” or “tom vitale wikipedia,” it is important to filter out the producer’s credits. The financial planner’s bio is largely defined by his business roles in California and his marriage to Valerie.
What is Tom Vitale Doing Now?
Since the divorce in 2022, Tom Vitale has lived a quiet life. The question “what is tom vitale doing now” is hard to answer with specifics because he intentionally avoids the spotlight.
Unlike Valerie, who shares her life openly on social media, Tom Vitale does not have public Instagram or TikTok accounts where he updates fans. He is presumed to be continuing his work in finance and investments in California.
He is likely focusing on his family, specifically his children from his first marriage. After the contentious split and the public scrutiny regarding the settlement, staying “under the radar” seems to be his strategy.
Tom Vitale’s Children and Family
Before marrying Valerie, Tom Vitale had a full family life. He has four children from his marriage to his first wife. During his marriage to Valerie, these children were part of a large, blended family that included Wolfgang Van Halen.
Relationships between step-parents and step-children can be complex after a divorce. It is unclear if Tom Vitale maintains a relationship with Wolfgang today, but reports suggest the split between Tom and Valerie was absolute, likely severing those step-family ties.
Clarifying “In The Weeds” Once More
To reiterate for those searching for “in the weeds tom vitale”: The book In the Weeds is a memoir about life with Anthony Bourdain. It details the chaotic, beautiful, and tragic moments of filming travel food shows.
The Tom Vitale who wrote that book has a distinct voice and career in media. If you bought that book expecting details about Valerie Bertinelli, you would be disappointed. However, if you are a fan of Anthony Bourdain, the producer Tom Vitale offers an incredible inside look at the chef’s life.
Why the “Tom Vitale” Name Matters in Search
The shared name has caused algorithmic confusion for years. When Valerie Bertinelli files for divorce, searches for “tom vitale net worth 2023” spike, but often pull up the producer’s IMDB page.
This article serves to separate the two. The Tom Vitale who received a $2.2 million settlement is the finance professional. The Tom Vitale who won Emmy awards for producing is the media professional.
Summary of the Divorce Timeline
To understand the full scope of the separation, here is the timeline involving Tom Vitale:
- 2004: Tom Vitale meets Valerie.
- 2011: The couple marries in Malibu.
- 2019-2020: The relationship begins to struggle significantly.
- Nov 2021: Valerie files for legal separation.
- May 2022: Valerie files for divorce.
- July 2022: Tom Vitale asks for $50k/month support.
- Nov 2022: Divorce finalized; Tom Vitale receives $2.2 million.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who is Tom Vitale?
Tom Vitale is a financial planner, entrepreneur, and the former CEO of Veebow. He is best known as the ex-husband of actress Valerie Bertinelli.
2. Is Tom Vitale the same person who worked with Anthony Bourdain?
No. That is a different Tom Vitale who is a TV producer and author of In the Weeds. Valerie’s ex-husband works in finance, not television production.
3. What is Tom Vitale’s net worth?
As of late 2024, Tom Vitale’s net worth is estimated to be approximately $5 million, derived from his financial career and divorce settlement.
4. Why did Valerie Bertinelli and Tom Vitale divorce?
Valerie cited “irreconcilable differences,” stating they became “unkind” to one another. The split was finalized in November 2022.
5. Does Tom Vitale have children?
Yes, he has four children from his first marriage. He was also a stepfather to Wolfgang Van Halen during his marriage to Valerie.
Conclusion
Tom Vitale remains a figure of interest largely due to his connection to Valerie Bertinelli. While his career as a financial planner and CEO of Veebow was successful, it was his role as a husband and stepfather in a famous family that brought him global attention.
Today, Tom Vitale is a single man with a net worth of approximately $5 million, living privately in California. The “unkindness” that ended his marriage is a closed chapter, and both he and Valerie have moved on. Whether you were looking for the financial planner or accidentally stumbled upon him while searching for Anthony Bourdain’s producer, the distinction is now clear. Tom Vitale is a name shared by two successful men in two very different worlds.
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