Whoopi Goldberg has walked down the aisle three times, but her perspective on marriage has shifted radically from her youth. While her iconic career on stage and screen is well-documented, her personal life reveals a pattern of brief commitments and a later-in-life realization that traditional matrimony simply doesn't fit her lifestyle.
Long before she became an EGOT winner and a fixture on The View, Goldberg was navigating early parenthood and turbulent relationships. Understanding her romantic history requires looking past tabloid headlines to examine the three distinct marriages that shaped her path, alongside her high-profile public partnerships.
The Three Marriages of Whoopi Goldberg
Goldberg's marital history spans three separate decades, each reflecting a different chapter of her personal evolution and rising fame.
1. Alvin Martin (1973–1979)
Goldberg married her first husband, Alvin Martin, when she was just eighteen years old. Long before Hollywood fame, the couple met in Los Angeles where Martin worked as a drug counselor during Goldberg's early struggles with substance abuse.
They welcomed their only child together, daughter Alexandrea Martin, shortly after marrying. Life during these early years was defined by financial hardship; Goldberg has frequently recounted living in single-room spaces and driving across the country in broken-down vehicles. The marriage lasted six years—making it her longest union—before they divorced in 1979.
2. David Claessen (1986–1988)
Following her rise to international prominence with The Color Purple, Goldberg married Dutch cinematographer David Claessen in 1986. At the time, the couple frequently appeared together at high-profile movie premieres and industry events.
However, the intense pressures of Hollywood schedules and public scrutiny took a toll. The marriage was short-lived, ending in divorce after just two years in 1988.
3. Lyle Trachtenberg (1994–1995)
Goldberg's third marriage was to union organizer Lyle Trachtenberg. The couple wed in 1994, but the relationship dissolved quickly.
The union lasted barely a year, ending in divorce in 1995. Reflecting on this period years later in The New York Times Magazine, Goldberg took accountability for the pattern. She noted that she spent years trying to force herself into traditional molds and expectations that didn't match who she actually was.
High-Profile Partners Beyond Marriage
Aside from her legal unions, Goldberg's romantic life has featured several notable, long-term relationships with fellow public figures:
- David Schein: Her partner during the early 1980s before her second marriage.
- Ted Danson: The two dated from 1992 to 1994 after starring together in Made in America, capturing massive media attention.
- Frank Langella: Following her third divorce, Goldberg dated the acclaimed actor from 1995 to 2000.
Why Whoopi Goldberg Chooses to Stay Single
Today, Goldberg is vocal about her lack of interest in romance, cohabitation, or remarriage. In various interviews, she has clarified that her divorces weren't necessarily the fault of her ex-husbands, but rather a fundamental mismatch with the institution of marriage itself.
She has expressed contentment living alone, noting that she doesn't want someone else living in her space or sharing her home. Instead, her primary familial devotion belongs to her daughter Alex, her three grandchildren, and her great-granddaughter. For Goldberg, fulfillment came from redefining family on her own terms rather than maintaining a traditional household.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many times has Whoopi Goldberg been married?
Goldberg has been married three times: to Alvin Martin (1973–1979), David Claessen (1986–1988), and Lyle Trachtenberg (1994–1995).
Does Whoopi Goldberg have children?
Yes, she has one daughter, Alexandrea Martin, born from her first marriage to Alvin Martin.
Is Whoopi Goldberg currently looking for a partner?
No. Goldberg has stated publicly that she enjoys being single, lives alone by choice, and has no desire to ever remarry or cohabitate with a partner again.
Was Whoopi Goldberg ever married to Tom Selleck?
No. Rumors occasionally circulate online regarding a marriage to Tom Selleck, but they were never married or romantically involved.
