Valerie Bertinelli on Finding Your Roots.Photo:PBSValerie Bertinellijust learned about a 100-year-old family secret.TheFood Network star, 63, is set to appear on PBS’Finding Your Rootswith Henry Louis Gates, Jr. on Tuesday. There she learned of her grandfather’s past.After researching Bertinelli’s family tree, Gates Jr. uncovered that Bertinelli’s paternal grandfather, Nazzareno Bertinelli, was married once before — and within the same year that he immigrated from Italy to Scranton, Penn. in 1922.The episode reveals that Valerie’s grandfather returned from World War I and proceeded to marry his first wife, with whom he had another family.Angelina Crosa was theOne Day a Timeactress’ paternal grandmother, whom she knew about. But her grandfather first married Dominica Cellerani and they shared a child who remained in Italy, while Valerie’s family planted roots in the U.S.As the Food Network host began to read Gates Jr.’s findings aloud, she quickly pieced together her grandfather’s first wife: “Appeared Nazzareno Bertinelli, Bachelor, Age 24, and Dominica Cellerani.”“Yes,” encouraged Gates Jr., with Valerie quickly shouting, “Whoa, wait! That’s not Angelina…”“No,” confirmed theFinding Your Rootshost. Before Gates Jr. explains to Valerie who the woman is, she’s filmed quietly whispering “Dominica” to herself in astonishment.“This is a record of your grandfather marrying a woman named Dominica Cellerani on September 14, 1922, about two years after he left the military. This is your first time of hearing of Dominica?”“Um, Yeah,” confirmed the actress.Dominica and Nazzareno had a son, Ernesto, Valerie’s half uncle, who tried to contact his American family before his death in 2004.While Valerie has just uncovered her ancestors, recently she’s been celebrating the growth of her immediate family. In October 2023, Valerie’s son,Wolfgang Van Halen, married his longtime love,Andraia Allsop.Ahead of Van Halen and Allsop’s wedding,Valerie shared with PEOPLEthat her late ex husband,Eddie Van Halen, would’ve been “absolutely beaming and so, so proud of the man Wolfie has become and is becoming.”exclusive to People Andraia Allsop & Wolfgang Van Halen Wedding - October 15th, 2023- Selects for People Wolfgang and Andraia Van Halen on their wedding day, outside their home together, with Wolfgangâs mother, Valerie Bertinelli.Christine Skari PhotographyShe added how “happy” Eddie would be that their son “found someone who really understands Wolfie, who he is and who he wants to be, and supports him wholeheartedly,” Bertinelli told PEOPLE ahead of her son’s nuptials.Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Finding Your Rootsairs Tuesday, Jan. 9 at 8/7c on PBS.
Valerie Bertinelli on Finding Your Roots.Photo:PBS

PBS
Valerie Bertinellijust learned about a 100-year-old family secret.TheFood Network star, 63, is set to appear on PBS’Finding Your Rootswith Henry Louis Gates, Jr. on Tuesday. There she learned of her grandfather’s past.After researching Bertinelli’s family tree, Gates Jr. uncovered that Bertinelli’s paternal grandfather, Nazzareno Bertinelli, was married once before — and within the same year that he immigrated from Italy to Scranton, Penn. in 1922.The episode reveals that Valerie’s grandfather returned from World War I and proceeded to marry his first wife, with whom he had another family.Angelina Crosa was theOne Day a Timeactress’ paternal grandmother, whom she knew about. But her grandfather first married Dominica Cellerani and they shared a child who remained in Italy, while Valerie’s family planted roots in the U.S.As the Food Network host began to read Gates Jr.’s findings aloud, she quickly pieced together her grandfather’s first wife: “Appeared Nazzareno Bertinelli, Bachelor, Age 24, and Dominica Cellerani.”“Yes,” encouraged Gates Jr., with Valerie quickly shouting, “Whoa, wait! That’s not Angelina…”“No,” confirmed theFinding Your Rootshost. Before Gates Jr. explains to Valerie who the woman is, she’s filmed quietly whispering “Dominica” to herself in astonishment.“This is a record of your grandfather marrying a woman named Dominica Cellerani on September 14, 1922, about two years after he left the military. This is your first time of hearing of Dominica?”“Um, Yeah,” confirmed the actress.Dominica and Nazzareno had a son, Ernesto, Valerie’s half uncle, who tried to contact his American family before his death in 2004.While Valerie has just uncovered her ancestors, recently she’s been celebrating the growth of her immediate family. In October 2023, Valerie’s son,Wolfgang Van Halen, married his longtime love,Andraia Allsop.Ahead of Van Halen and Allsop’s wedding,Valerie shared with PEOPLEthat her late ex husband,Eddie Van Halen, would’ve been “absolutely beaming and so, so proud of the man Wolfie has become and is becoming.”exclusive to People Andraia Allsop & Wolfgang Van Halen Wedding - October 15th, 2023- Selects for People Wolfgang and Andraia Van Halen on their wedding day, outside their home together, with Wolfgangâs mother, Valerie Bertinelli.Christine Skari PhotographyShe added how “happy” Eddie would be that their son “found someone who really understands Wolfie, who he is and who he wants to be, and supports him wholeheartedly,” Bertinelli told PEOPLE ahead of her son’s nuptials.Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Finding Your Rootsairs Tuesday, Jan. 9 at 8/7c on PBS.
Valerie Bertinellijust learned about a 100-year-old family secret.
TheFood Network star, 63, is set to appear on PBS’Finding Your Rootswith Henry Louis Gates, Jr. on Tuesday. There she learned of her grandfather’s past.
After researching Bertinelli’s family tree, Gates Jr. uncovered that Bertinelli’s paternal grandfather, Nazzareno Bertinelli, was married once before — and within the same year that he immigrated from Italy to Scranton, Penn. in 1922.
The episode reveals that Valerie’s grandfather returned from World War I and proceeded to marry his first wife, with whom he had another family.
Angelina Crosa was theOne Day a Timeactress’ paternal grandmother, whom she knew about. But her grandfather first married Dominica Cellerani and they shared a child who remained in Italy, while Valerie’s family planted roots in the U.S.
As the Food Network host began to read Gates Jr.’s findings aloud, she quickly pieced together her grandfather’s first wife: “Appeared Nazzareno Bertinelli, Bachelor, Age 24, and Dominica Cellerani.”
“Yes,” encouraged Gates Jr., with Valerie quickly shouting, “Whoa, wait! That’s not Angelina…”
“No,” confirmed theFinding Your Rootshost. Before Gates Jr. explains to Valerie who the woman is, she’s filmed quietly whispering “Dominica” to herself in astonishment.
“This is a record of your grandfather marrying a woman named Dominica Cellerani on September 14, 1922, about two years after he left the military. This is your first time of hearing of Dominica?”
“Um, Yeah,” confirmed the actress.
Dominica and Nazzareno had a son, Ernesto, Valerie’s half uncle, who tried to contact his American family before his death in 2004.
While Valerie has just uncovered her ancestors, recently she’s been celebrating the growth of her immediate family. In October 2023, Valerie’s son,Wolfgang Van Halen, married his longtime love,Andraia Allsop.
Ahead of Van Halen and Allsop’s wedding,Valerie shared with PEOPLEthat her late ex husband,Eddie Van Halen, would’ve been “absolutely beaming and so, so proud of the man Wolfie has become and is becoming.”
exclusive to People Andraia Allsop & Wolfgang Van Halen Wedding - October 15th, 2023- Selects for People Wolfgang and Andraia Van Halen on their wedding day, outside their home together, with Wolfgangâs mother, Valerie Bertinelli.Christine Skari Photography

Christine Skari Photography
She added how “happy” Eddie would be that their son “found someone who really understands Wolfie, who he is and who he wants to be, and supports him wholeheartedly,” Bertinelli told PEOPLE ahead of her son’s nuptials.
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
Finding Your Rootsairs Tuesday, Jan. 9 at 8/7c on PBS.
source: people.com