The marriage history of Whoopi Goldberg, the multi-talented American Entertainer.
When you hear people say, “You can not always have it all”, they mean irrespective of how successful one might be or how wealthy one is, there will always be something lacking in one’s life. Whoopi Goldberg is one of those characters who despite having a very successful career, didn’t exactly enjoy being married.
It is commonly said that marriage is not for everybody, while some people have success stories to tell in their marriages, Whoopi Goldberg can not exactly say the same after multiple attempts.
This article takes a look at Whoopi Goldberg’s life, especially her marriages which to date is one of the major highlights of her illustrious career which has lasted for more than three decades.
Caryn Elaine Johnson popularly known as Whoopi Goldberg (her stage name) is an American actress, comedian, television host, and author. She is a household name in the American entertainment industry and she takes pride in being one of the few personalities to have won the Emmy, Grammy, Academy, and Tony Awards.
Only sixteen entertainers have won the four awards and Whoopi Goldberg is a proud member of that club which put a stamp on her veteran status in the industry.
Background
She was born on the 15th of November, 1955 in New York. She was born to Robert James Johson, a baptist bishop, and Emma Johnson, a nurse, and teacher. She attended St. Columba high school.
She started her comedy career in 1983 with her one-woman show, Spook Show which later moved to the Broadway Theater under the name Whoopi Goldberg.
On how she got the name, Goldberg said she got the name from a whoopee cushion:
“When you’re performing on stage, you never really have time to go into the bathroom and close the door. So if you get a little gassy, you’ve got to let it go. So people used to say to me, ‘You’re like a whoopee cushion.’ And that’s where the name came from”
Whoopi Goldberg also added that her stage surname “Goldberg” represents her family and identity:
“My mother did not name me Whoopi, but Goldberg is my name—it’s part of my family, part of my heritage, just like being black”, and “I just know I am Jewish. I practice nothing. I don’t go to temple, but I do remember the holidays.”
Whoopi Goldberg’s marriage timeline
Whoopi Goldberg’s blissful career is a sharp contrast to her marriage. Despite enjoying a great career in acting, comedy, and television shows, her marriage reflects that she had a base towards being with a man for life even though she married three times.
She told Piers Morgan on his show, Piers Morgan Tonight that she taught getting married would help her live a normal life but it didn’t work out the way she thought it would have.
“I wanted to feel normal. And it seemed to me that if I was married, I’d have a much normal life. But clearly, that’s not the case.”
Whoopi Goldberg Husbands
- Alvin Martin
Whoopi Goldberg’s first marriage was with Alvin Martin, her drug counselor. The duo got married in 1973 when she was only 18. Their marriage led to the birth of her only child Alexandrea Martin who was born that same year.
However, Alvin Martin and Whoopi Goldberg got divorced six years later. Her marriage with Martin remains her longest out of the three.
Alex has as of today is 48 years old and she has toed the path of her mother. She is an actress and also a filmmaker. She has three children and a granddaughter. This means Whoopi Goldberg has three grandchildren and a granddaughter.
- David Claesson
Some years after her divorce, Whoopi Goldberg got into a relationship with Dutch cinematographer, David Claesson and the duo dated for a while before they got married in 1986.
Unfortunately, their marriage only lasted for two years before they split.
Claesson went on to marry British-American photographer and writer, Taiye Selasi after his marriage with Karen Green failed just like his first.
In her book, The Choices We Made: Twenty-Five Women and Men Speak Out About Abortion, she spoke about his she used a coat hanger to abort a pregnancy at 14. She also reveals that she had about six to seven abortions before she turned 25.
- Lyle Trachtenburg
Her marriage with Trachtenburg was the shortest of the three as it lasted only for a year. They got married in 1994 but divorced a year later.
Just like her previous marriage, she didn’t have any child with Trachtenburg as well.
Whoopi Goldberg has also involved a short relationship with Ted Danson and Frank Langella. Ted Danson, while he was in the midst of a divorce with his ex-wife, Cassandra, dumped her due to pressure from his parents.
Ted Danson’s divorce with Cassandra cost him about $30,000,000 according to sources.
Aside from Danson, she reportedly had affairs with Jeffrey Cohen, Timothy Dalton, Eddie Gold, and David Edger.
Is Whoopi Goldberg still married?
She has been single for a very long time and it appears that she has already given up on marriage.
“Some people are not meant to be married and I am not meant to. I’m sure it is wonderful for lots of people”
She also told Piers Morgan that she was never committed to any of the men she married.
“You have to really be committed to them…I don’t have that commitment. I’m committed to my family.”
Whoopi Goldberg also revealed on Jonathan Ross’ show that she can’t spend the rest of her life with a man.
“I like the party. Everybody’s very, very happy when they’re getting married. Everybody’s cheerful; they wish you luck – everybody’s really supportive. My issue comes the next morning, when you go, ‘Wow, forever – really forever?’ And I just can’t commit”
She also told fans to remind her of her commitment to remain single just in case she is being lured to get married again.
“If you ever hear of me walking down anybody’s aisle again, I want you to stick your leg out and trip me. Some people are not meant to be married, and I am not meant to. I’m sure it is wonderful for lots of people.”
It has been three decades since Whoopi Goldberg since her last marriage and she remains firm in her pledge to be single because it is obvious that her happiness lies in being a single, independent and, successful woman.
