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Whoopi Goldberg's Three Husbands And Why She Vows Never To Remarry: A Candid Look At Her Life And Loves

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Whoopi Goldberg's relationship history is as candid and unconventional as her career, culminating in three marriages that all ended in divorce. As of late 2025, the EGOT winner remains happily single, having openly declared that marriage is simply "not for her" after her final split in 1995. This article dives deep into the identities of the three men she married and explores the surprising, honest reasons why one of Hollywood's most recognizable faces chooses a life of independence over commitment. The celebrated actress, comedian, and host of *The View* has never shied away from discussing her past, offering fresh, updated perspective on the institution of marriage in recent interviews, often noting that the demands of a shared life conflicted with her need for personal space and freedom. Her three ex-husbands—a drug counselor, a cinematographer, and a union organizer—each represent a distinct period in her life, but none could ultimately secure a lasting commitment from the fiercely independent star.

The Complete Biography and Marriage Timeline of Whoopi Goldberg

Before exploring the details of her three marriages, it is essential to understand the woman behind the iconic persona. Whoopi Goldberg, born Caryn Elaine Johnson, has had one of the most remarkable careers in entertainment history, achieving the rare status of an EGOT winner (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony Award).

  • Birth Name: Caryn Elaine Johnson
  • Born: November 13, 1955, in New York City
  • Career Highlights: Comedian, actress, author, and television personality; Oscar winner for *Ghost* (1990); known for *The Color Purple* (1985), *Sister Act* (1992), and her long-running role as a host on *The View*.
  • Daughter: Alexandrea Martin (born 1973)

Whoopi Goldberg's Three Marriages:

  1. Alvin Martin: Married 1973; Divorced 1979
  2. David Claessen: Married 1986; Divorced 1988
  3. Lyle Trachtenberg: Married 1994; Divorced 1995

Husband #1: Alvin Martin (1973–1979)

Whoopi Goldberg's first marriage was to Alvin Martin, a union that began when she was just 18 years old. The relationship started while Goldberg was in a rehabilitation facility, where Martin worked as a drug counselor from England. This period of her life was formative, as it was shortly after their marriage in 1973 that she gave birth to her only child, her daughter Alexandrea Martin.

The marriage lasted for six years, ending in divorce in 1979. Despite the divorce, the two reportedly remained friendly and successfully co-parented their daughter, Alexandrea. Alvin Martin’s role in Whoopi’s early life is significant, as he is the father of the person she often credits as her greatest joy and source of grounding. While Whoopi has kept the details of this first marriage private, the experience of marrying young and becoming a mother quickly set the stage for her later, more public relationships.

Husband #2: David Claessen (1986–1988)

The second man to become Whoopi Goldberg's husband was David Claessen, a Dutch cinematographer and director of photography. This marriage occurred during a major upswing in Goldberg's career, following her critically acclaimed role in *The Color Purple*. She met Claessen while working on the 1986 film *Jumpin' Jack Flash*, where he served as the director of photography.

The high-profile Hollywood relationship was short-lived, lasting only two years. They married in 1986 and divorced in 1988. The demands of two busy careers in the entertainment industry, coupled with Goldberg's evolving understanding of her own needs, likely contributed to the split. Claessen, a professional cinematographer, represented a brief foray into a shared life within the fast-paced world of filmmaking.

Following this divorce, Whoopi had several other notable relationships, including with actors Frank Langella and Timothy Dalton, and comedian Ted Danson. However, she eventually decided to try marriage one more time.

Husband #3: Lyle Trachtenberg (1994–1995)

Whoopi Goldberg's third and final marriage was to Lyle Trachtenberg, an actor and union organizer for the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE). Their relationship moved quickly; they became engaged in May 1994 after dating for only nine months. They walked down the aisle later that year.

This proved to be her shortest marriage, lasting only one year before they divorced in 1995. Trachtenberg, representing a different facet of the entertainment industry as a union organizer, offered a brief connection to the working side of Hollywood. The brevity of this union seemed to solidify Goldberg's personal realization about her suitability for marriage.

Whoopi Goldberg's Candid Views: "Marriage Is Not for Me"

In the decades since her last divorce in 1995, Whoopi Goldberg has been incredibly open and consistent about her decision to remain single. Her comments, often delivered with her signature humor and frankness, provide a powerful insight into her personal philosophy on commitment, independence, and the traditional structures of relationships.

The core of her reasoning is a profound understanding of her own nature. She has stated that she is simply "not a good marrying person," and that she does not enjoy the necessary investment and sharing that a marriage demands. In a recent candid interview, she elaborated on the concept of sharing a life with a spouse, stating, "No, I don't. I don't want to live with somebody."

Goldberg has also expressed that she attempted marriage because she "always thought if I was married, I'd be closer to normal." However, she ultimately realized that the expectation of a spouse to be deeply invested in every aspect of her life—from her friends to her finances—was too restrictive for her independent spirit. This desire for autonomy is a recurring theme in her discussions about her three failed marriages.

Today, Whoopi Goldberg remains a powerful advocate for living life on one's own terms. Her three marriages to Alvin Martin, David Claessen, and Lyle Trachtenberg were all short-lived chapters, but they ultimately led her to a place of self-acceptance and contentment in her single status. She enjoys the "best of both worlds," maintaining close friendships and family bonds, including with her daughter Alexandrea Martin and her grandchildren, without the constraints of a formal marital commitment.

whoopi goldberg spouse
whoopi goldberg spouse

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