Whoopi Goldberg is a talented lady who has made a name for herself as an actress, comedian, and television host. In the process, she has won over audiences with her quick wit, infectious personality, and undeniable charm. But while her career has undoubtedly been impressive, there’s no denying that many fans are also curious about her personal life, particularly when it comes to her romantic relationships. So today, we’re going to take a closer look at Whoopi Goldberg spouse.
Who is Whoopi Goldberg
Born on November 13, 1955, Caryn Elaine Johnson, known professionally as Whoopi Goldberg, is an American treasure. Goldberg’s career started on stage in 1983 with her one-woman show, Spook Show. The show was a hit and was eventually renamed Whoopi Goldberg and transferred to Broadway. It ran from 1984 to 1985 and helped launch her career.
You might be wondering how Goldberg got her unique stage name. Well, she has said that her stage forename, “Whoopi,” was inspired by a whoopee cushion. As for her surname, Goldberg has explained that it’s her family name, part of her heritage, and just like being black, it’s a significant part of who she is.
Whoopi Goldberg Spouse
While the actress has undoubtedly had a legendary career, her romantic relationships have been a bit more complicated. Goldberg has been married a total of three times throughout her life, but unfortunately, none of those marriages ended up being a home run. According to the star herself, she never truly loved any of her husbands and took full responsibility for the demise of those relationships. As a result, she’s decided that marriage isn’t in the cards for her.
Whoopi Goldberg Spouse: Alvin Martin (1973 – 1979)
Her first marriage was to a man named Alvin Martin back in 1973. They met when Martin served as Goldberg’s drug counselor in Los Angeles. At the time, Whoopi was just 18 years old and already struggling with substance abuse. But despite those challenges, the couple decided to tie the knot and soon welcomed their daughter, Alex Martin, into the world.
Although Goldberg’s career was beginning to take off, her family had their fair share of struggles during this time. In a recent interview with Good Housekeeping, Alex opened up about some of the hardships they faced. “I remember we had the one-room space, and we slept in the bed together,” she revealed.
Sadly, despite their shared struggles, Alvin and Whoopi’s marriage came to an end after just six years in 1979. But the couple’s daughter Alex went on to build a beautiful family of her own, giving birth to three children with her husband, Bernard Dean. In 2014, Whoopi became a grandmother with the arrival of Alex’s daughter, Charli Rose.
Whoopi Goldberg Spouse: David Claessen (1986 – 1988)
Goldberg’s second husband was David Claessen, a Dutch cinematographer who she married in 1986, seven years after her first divorce. During their two-year marriage, the couple attended numerous film premieres together and were often spotted out and about on the Hollywood scene.
While Claessen may not be a household name, he’s actually made quite a name for himself in the entertainment industry. He’s directed music videos for some pretty big names, including Britney Spears, Travie McCoy, and Jason Mraz. Plus, he’s worked on films like Diary of a Mad Black Woman and TV shows like The Hustle.
Despite their shared love of the industry, Goldberg and Claessen’s marriage ended in 1988, just two years after they tied the knot. They didn’t have children together, but both continued their successful careers in the following years.
Whoopi Goldberg Spouse: Lyle Trachtenberg (1994-1995)
Despite her multiple marriages, Whoopi has always been open about her struggles with love and commitment. Goldberg married Lyle Trachtenberg, an IATSE union organizer, in 1994. Unfortunately, their marriage was short-lived, and they divorced the following year.
In a 2019 interview with The New York Times Magazine, she revealed, “My marriages failed, and I was the common denominator. My commitment was never that strong. I can say now that I was never really in love.” The couple was only married for a year, and they didn’t have any children together.
Whoopi Goldberg Spouse: Other Relationships
Despite the end of her third marriage, Whoopi has continued to live her life to the fullest and pursue her successful career as an actress, comedian, and television host. Whoopi Goldberg has had several romantic relationships over the years, but none led to marriage.
