Whoopi Goldberg has walked down the aisle three times, but her journey through marriage looks very different from traditional Hollywood standards. The EGOT-winning star and co-host of The View has been remarkably candid about why traditional matrimony never fit her life. Instead of hiding her past relationships, she has spent decades explaining how trying to fit a mold led her to marriages where she wasn't truly in love.
Her romantic history includes three distinct husbands, several high-profile long-term partners, and a firm personal policy against ever marrying again. Understanding her marital history requires looking past the red carpet and examining what she has shared about her search for normalcy.
The Three Husbands of Whoopi Goldberg
Goldberg's marital timeline spans over two decades, starting from her youth before her massive Hollywood breakthrough. Each union ended in divorce, and the star has taken full public responsibility for why none of them lasted.
Alvin Martin (1973–1979)
Goldberg married her first husband, Alvin Martin, when she was just 18 years old. During this period, before her career took off, they welcomed her only child, Alexandrea Martin. This six-year union stands as her longest marriage. Goldberg has spoken about those early years candidly, noting that they faced severe financial struggles while raising their daughter. They parted ways amicably at the end of the 1970s.
David Claessen (1986–1988)
Seven years after her first divorce, Goldberg married Dutch cinematographer David Claessen. By this time, her acting career was gaining heavy momentum following her breakout role in The Color Purple. The couple frequently appeared together at public movie premieres, but the fast-paced nature of their respective careers and personal disconnects caused the relationship to dissolve after two years.
Lyle Trachtenberg (1994–1995)
Goldberg's final marriage was to union organizer Lyle Trachtenberg. The two wed in 1994, but the marriage lasted for only a single year before they filed for divorce. This short-lived union served as a turning point for Goldberg, prompting her to reevaluate whether formal marriage had any actual place in her life.
Why Goldberg Vowed Never to Marry Again
Years after her third divorce, Goldberg opened up about the internal motivations behind her past weddings. She confessed that she wasn't actually in love with any of her husbands. Instead, she admitted that she married because she thought it was what she had to do to feel "normal" and conform to societal expectations.
Realizing that she was the common denominator in her failed attempts, she reached a liberating conclusion. She discovered that she simply doesn't enjoy living with a romantic partner or sharing her living space long-term. She prefers keeping her home entirely to herself while maintaining independent friendships.
High-Profile Relationships Beyond Marriage
Aside from her legal marriages, Goldberg has shared her life with several prominent figures in the entertainment industry.
- David Schein: Before her second marriage, she lived with playwright David Schein from 1980 to 1985. This domestic partnership actually lasted longer than two of her official marriages.
- Ted Danson: She dated actor Ted Danson in the early 1990s, a relationship that attracted intense tabloid scrutiny before ending in 1993.
- Frank Langella: Following her third divorce, she was in a five-year relationship with acclaimed actor Frank Langella from 1995 to 2000. They met while working on the film Eddie.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Whoopi Goldberg have children with any of her spouses?
She shares her only child, Alexandrea, with her first husband, Alvin Martin. She did not have children with David Claessen or Lyle Trachtenberg. Through Alexandrea, Goldberg has three grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Was Whoopi Goldberg ever married to Tom Selleck?
No. Rumors often circulate linking Goldberg to Tom Selleck, but they were never married or romantically involved. Selleck has been married to Jillie Mack since 1987.
Does Whoopi Goldberg currently date anyone?
Goldberg has maintained for years that she is entirely comfortable being single. She has expressed zero interest in dating or living with a partner, prioritizing her independence, career, and close family instead.
What did Goldberg say about loving her husbands?
In retrospective interviews, she admitted that she didn't enter those marriages with the deep, enduring love required to sustain them. She has noted that she forced herself into commitments simply to mirror societal standards of a standard family life.
