Getty Janie Liszewski and Eddie Van Halen on April 30, 2017, in Los Angeles.
Janie Liszewski was married to guitar legend Eddie Van Halen for more than ten years before the rocker’s death. Van Halen died on October 6 after a lengthy battle with throat cancer. He was 65 years old.
According to TMZ, Van Halen died at St. John’s Hospital in Santa Monica. Liszewski was by his side.
Liszewski posted a tribute to her late husband on Twitter on October 7: “My husband, my love, my Peep, My heart and soul have been shattered into a million pieces. I never knew it was possible to cry so many tears or feel such incredible sadness. Our journey together has not always been an easy one but in the end and always we have a connection and love that will always be. Saying goodbye is the hardest thing I have ever had to do so instead I say so long, I will see you again soon in a place with no pain or sorrow. Please watch over Kody and I. We love you and miss you so very much. Love, your PooPee.”
My husband, my love, my Peep,
My heart and soul have been shattered into a million pieces. I never knew it was possible to cry so many tears or feel such incredible sadness. Our journey together has not always been an easy one but in the end and always we have a connection and
Here’s what you need to know about Van Halen’s wife:
1. Liszewski Worked as Van Halen’s Publicist Before They Married at His California Home in 2009
Getty Janie Liszewski and Eddie Van Halen attend the John Varvatos 10th Annual Stuart House Benefit on March 10, 2013 in Los Angeles, California.
Liszewski and Van Halen worked together early on in their relationship. She started working as his publicist in early 2007, according to AVN. The following year, Van Halen proposed inside a Tiffany’ store during a vacation to Hawaii, Fox News reported.
The couple tied the knot in June 2009. They celebrated with a private ceremony at his home in Studio City, California. People reported at the time that Liszewski’s mother walked her down the aisle to one of Van Halen’s songs, “When It’s Love.”
Liszewski’s sister was the maid of honor. Van Halen’s son, Wolfgang, who was 18 at the time, was the best man. Van Halen’s brother, Alex, performed the ceremony.
According to the magazine, Van Halen’s first wife, Valerie Bertinelli, attended the wedding. There were about 100 guests.
It was Liszewski’s first marriage. She was 39 when they tied the knot and Van Halen was 54.
2. Liszewski Is a Competitive Ballroom Dancer
Liszewski is a ballroom dancer. She partners with Louie Martinez, who uses the name “DNCNLouie” on Instagram.
Based on their official Instagram account, they have been dancing together since early 2019. Their collaborative YouTube channel, in addition to showcasing their dance competitions, also includes wrestling videos.
In September, Liszewski took to social media to put a stop to rumors that anything romantic was going on between her and Martinez, according to Metal Head Zone. Critics had wondered why Liszewski posted so much content with Martinez and few pictures with her spouses. Liszewski explained the in a post on September 6:
Breaking News 😂😂😂 @eddievanhalen is my husband & our relationship and life together is PRIVATE.
@dncnlouie is my friend & business partner for various endeavors including ballroom dance & pro wrestling as the brand @janieandlouie & is public. #dontgetittwisted #justsoyouknow
Van Halen was supportive of his wife’s dancing ventures. She shared a throwback photo to Instagram on March 27 in which she described Van Halen as her “cheering section” at a dance competition in Palm Desert.
3. Liszewski Was a Stunt Woman & Actress
Liszewski found success in Hollywood as a stunt woman. According to her IMDB profile, Liszewski was credited for stunts 16 projects between 2001 and 2005. The first movie Liszewski worked on a stunt woman was The Wedding Planner starring Jennifer Lopez and Matthew McConaughey.
Liszewski was busy in 2001 with stunt credits in several movies including the Max Keeble’s Big Move, Bubble Boy and Mulholland Drive. Liszewski’s resume also includes the 2003 movie Along Came Polly, 2004’s Spider-Man 2 and 2005’s Havoc.
As an actress, Liszewski appeared as a bar dancer in the 1996 movie From Dusk Till Dawn starring George Clooney. Liszewski had a guest role on CSI: Miami in 2003 and had a small role in the 2002 film The Third Society.
4. Liszewski Has a Public Relations Agency Called High Profile Media
High Profile MediaJanie Liszewski Van Halen
Liszewski has operated her own public relations agency. She launched High Profile Media more than a decade ago. Liszewski described her boutique agency on the website in part:
High-profile artists and emerging talent rely on High Profile Media to select and maximize the right opportunities to help build a positive public image. Managing image requires a solid understanding of clients personal needs, and the know-how to create a broader presence to connect with new fans and, how to map out a career strategy for the future. HPM helps music clients break into the mainstream press and stay there by leveraging high-profile album and single launches, concert tours, and brand relationships. At HPM we embrace the power of dance to develop dance studios and individual dancers covering a wide variety of styles. Whether ballroom competitions or special event performances for passionate audiences on a national scale, we can deliver the best publicity support for dancers in the business. In film, we create campaigns for independent film production and film studios. Cultivating the right image and industry profiles for actors, directors and producers.
Her husband’s band was listed as one of her clients on the company’s website.
It’s unclear how active High Profile Media has been over the past year. The website does not appear to have been updated since September 2019 and the company’s Twitter account has been dark since then as well. The Facebook and Instagram accounts have been used to promote “Janie and Louie” content but there have been few other posts.
5. Liszewski & Van Halen Did Not Have Children
Liszewski does not have any biological children of her own. She and Van Halen did not add any children to the family after they got married in 2009. Her stepson, Wolfgang, was a teenager when she and Van Halen started dating. But Liszewski often shares photos of her dog, Kody.
Liszewski was born in Pennsylvania, according to her IMDB profile. A search of online records suggests her sister, Jennifer, also lives in California now.
Liszewski shared a throwback photo on Instagram on May 29 from her childhood. “Back in the day when my mom handmade all of my clothes ❤️#jumpsuit #thatsmeinthemiddle.” She did not specify whether the two children standing alongside her were her siblings.
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