Eddie Van Halen and Valerie Bertinelli Finally Divorce

When Eddie Van Halen, 52, and Valerie Bertinelli, 47, first wed, no one thought it would last. After all, due to her starring role on popular TV show One Day at a Time and his rock-in-roll life, they were viewed as the consummate opposites. She was sweet and he was sour. Yet, the two surprised everyone by surviving in holy matrimony for 25 years. However, now the divorce documents are out and signed; the two are officially over. They’re now part of the growing lineage of celebrity couples calling it quits.

Over the past couple of years, a few high profile celebrity couples ended their marriages. NBA legend Michael Jordan and his wife of 17 years Juanita Jordan split in 2006. Actor/Comedienne Eddie Murphy and his wife of 12 years Nicole Mitchell Murphy officially split in 2006. Country-music star Sara Evans and her husband of 13 years Craig Schelske officially split in 2007. Now, wrestler Terry Bollea a.k.a. Hulk Hogan is about to join the ranks of these couples as soon as his 23-year marriage to wife Linda Bollea finalizes in the future.

Because the world of Hollywood is riddled with dysfunctional relationships, people are rarely surprised when they end in divorce. Yet, since the average American marriage only lasts 7 years, it’s amazing when people exceed it. They are considered to have tapped into a special form of magic that allows them to endure matrimony in a way that far exceeds the average person. So what is the usual culprit behind the split of a long-term marriage?

According to a study conducted by Education Resources Information Center (ERIC), the usual reason most long-term marriages end is due to a loss of companionship. Basically, the friendship that kept the two parties in-love flies out the window and thus, their marriage follows suit. It is why “irreconcilable differences” are often listed on divorce documents. The married parties just can’t get along anymore, so why stay married?

This is probably what happened with Eddie Van Halen and Valerie Bertinelli. In the beginning of their marriage, their friendship was strong enough to overcome their differences. However, as time passed and their friendship weakened, they could no longer endure each other. Hopefully, though, they’ll walk away from their failed relationship with a more powerful insight on how to go into the next one. It will be an interesting journey to watch and see who jumps into the next marriage first.