Van Halen’s Sammy Hagar ‘Did It Right’ By Prioritizing Family

Published: May 7, 2024

Van Halen’s Sammy Hagar ‘Did It Right’ By Prioritizing Family

By Movieguide® Contributor

Former Van Halen frontman Sammy Hagar says he “did it right” by prioritizing family, even while on tour.

“My wife goes on the road, she goes everywhere with me. We are together 24/7,” he said of Kari Karte, his wife of almost 30 years.

The couple wed in 1995 and share two daughters—Kama, 28, and Samantha, 23.

“We packed our kids up, took them out on the road, and sometimes I didn’t tour in the winter because…my kids were in school,” Hagar explained, adding, “I did it right.”

Hagar also spoke about the importance of his relationship with Karte, saying, “I can’t tell you how I enjoy having a partner every time something good happens. I don’t want to share that by myself. I don’t want to live in a beautiful home, drive fast cars and walk on a beautiful beach without my wife, you know? It’s really important to have a partner that supports you and that you want to be with and be around and that’s Kari.”

Hagar also shares two sons—Andrew and Aaron—with his first wife, Betsy Berardi. Andrew has even followed in his dad’s footsteps, launching his own music career.

“I’m so proud that he did it,” Hagar told Fox News. “He pulled it off, and he’s really good.”

Andrew added, “My dad is awesome. He’s been really supportive, and he’s such a great human being.”

The rockstar recently celebrated earning a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, something he said “means everything.”

“To me, it’s the final thing that you can achieve,” Hagar said of the honor. “This goes in the streets for 10 million people a year to see, and I think it’s quite the statement. It’s almost like I could say, ‘Well, I can quit now!’ because I don’t know any higher achievement or award. [But] I can’t [quit]. It’s not in my DNA.”