Whoopi Goldberg has made no secret of the fact that she’s “much happier” single and has no desire to ever live with anyone again, but the “The View” host is certainly no stranger to romance.
Not only has the 67-year-old TV host walked the aisle a total of three times, she’s had some high-profile relationships with fellow actors Timothy Dalton and Ted Danson, and even had a boyfriend who lived with her until 2000.
In recent years, however, Whoopi has made it clear that she “doesn’t want to live with anyone,” stating that being single is her personal choice.
Regarding the idea of dating again, Whoopi — real name Caryn Elaine Johnson — said in 2019, “I have a commitment.” When you make a commitment to someone, you make a commitment to give them their opinion ask, listen to him and find a solution together with him. I don’t want to do that. I don’t want to share money. I know it’s awful, but I don’t want to do it.’
While appearing on The Tamron Hall Show, she added, “People keep saying, ‘Well, you’re going to find someone.'” I’m not looking for anyone. I am very happy.’
Her choice: Whoopi Goldberg has made it clear that she’s “much happier” single
No more weddings: The 67-year-old previously said getting divorced is ‘expensive and boring’
On Air: Whoopi regularly shares her thoughts on relationships when hosting The View
On a recent episode of The View, Whoopi shared her thoughts on marriage, admitting that she “danced and pranced” every time their relationships ended in divorce.
Whoopi has been divorced three times, her last marriage to union organizer Lyle Trachtenberg ending in 1995.
The Ghost actress admitted that after the end of her third marriage, she felt like it was going to be “expensive and boring,” and hinted that it was one of the main reasons she never said “yes” again.
Speaking to her co-hosts on the ABC show on Aug. 1, she said, “I’ve been dancing and I’ve been prancing around, I was so happy to get out there!” Every time! Because I always knew, I always thought, “You didn’t mean to do this to begin with! You knew you didn’t want to do it and you did it anyway, so shut up and move on!”
Although Whoopi has apparently been single for many years, rumors about her sexuality have plagued her and many have wondered if she is a lesbian.
However, during an interview with Raven-Symoné on The Best Podcast Ever, Whoopi shut down those rumors after her former co-host told her, “You give me lesbian vibes!”
“Since I’ve been here, women have been asking me this: I’m not a lesbian.” But I know a lot of them and have played them on TV,” Whoopi said.
She continued, “But I’ve always had lesbian friends because they’re just my friends,” before recalling a conversation she had with one of her friends.
“I’m not going to kiss you, but I’m going to kiss you here, I’m going to do that, but I’m not going to do that … And they’re like, ‘OK!'” she explained.
As Whoopi gets clear about her sexuality, takes a look back at her past loves, failed romances and everything she had to say about those lesbian rumours.
Tie the knot at 18: Before she found fame, Whoopi married her drug counselor, but sadly their six-year marriage ended in divorce in 1979
Flashback: Whoopi, pictured here in 1983, was married to her first husband in the ’70s before she found fame
Mother and daughter: The View presenter shares her only child, daughter Alexandrea, with her first husband Alvin Martin
Rising to Fame: Whoopi in 1986, the year she starred in the comedy Jumpin’ Jack Flash
Before she found fame on stage and screen, Whoopi said “yes” to a man named Alvin Martin in 1973.
Alvin was reportedly working as a drug counselor at the time, which is how he and Whoopi met.
In May 1974, the couple had a daughter named Alexandrea, who now works as an actress and producer.
Sadly, Whoopi’s first marriage was not to materialize and she and Alvin divorced in 1979 – and the Ghost actor has since admitted she only got married because she conformed to society’s expectations.
In an April 2011 interview with Piers Morgan, Whoopi explained, “I wanted to feel normal, and it seemed like I’d have a much more normal life if I was married.” But that’s obviously not the case, that’s not a good reason to marry.
“You actually have to wish for a life with someone who has their ups and downs, and I’ve found that’s not for me,” she added.
During the same conversation, Whoopi revealed that she’s only been in love with one man in her life — and that wasn’t anyone the public knows.
Second try: Whoopi was married to a cameraman for two years in the early days of her film career
Second attempt: Whoopi remarried in September 1986 to a man named David Claessen
Then: The mother-of-one met cinematographer David while producing a documentary called ‘Who Are They?’
Family trio: Whoopi pictured with her daughter Alexandrea and second husband David in September 1986
It wasn’t meant to be: David and Whoopi’s marriage lasted only two years and they divorced in 1988
Four years into her film career, Whoopi married a cinematographer named David Claessen in September 1986 after they met during the production of a documentary called Who Are They? earlier that year.
Whoopi was 30 at the time and David was four years her junior. It was his first marriage – but unfortunately it wasn’t to be what the couple announced in 1988.
The mother-of-one has never spoken at length about her marriage to David, but she has spoken out about choosing men who are younger than her.
During an October 2021 episode of The View, co-host Sara Haines asked Whoopi if she preferred to “get older or younger” when dating.
“It depends on my mood,” she teased. “Because it’s about the person.” Sometimes you meet someone younger than you and… it would be perfect if everyone was a good match and a good match, but that’s not the case. And you find it where you find it, and it may or may not last.’
She then revealed why she stopped dating younger men, explaining, “Let me tell you why I stopped doing a lot of things with younger people…I was dating a younger guy and he said, ‘Knew that.’ I don’t, Paul.” “McCartney had another band,” and you say, “The Beatles? Haven’t you ever heard of the Beatles?”
“So you have to know when you’re getting younger, there’s a lot of information to pass on.” And sometimes it’s exhausting. But then there’s the other possibility, where you think, “Yes, you’re younger, but you look good! Yeah, you’re fine,” so you never know.”
Lucky for her third time, Whoopi’s marriage to a union organizer lasted only a year, and she never said yes again
Don’t give up: Whoopi married Lyle Trachtenberg for the third time in October 1994
Short-term: Lyle and Whoopi’s marriage lasted a year or less when they split in 1995
Happier times: Lyle and Whoopi pictured together in March 1995 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel
While basing himself on the success of films like Ghost (1990) and Sister Act (1992), Whoopi decided to try marriage a third time and in October 1994 wed actor and union activist Lyle Trachtenberg.
The couple are believed to have met on set a year earlier, and while the exact date of their split is unknown, the couple didn’t survive 1995 without divorcing.
This was the last time Whoopi decided to say “yes” and since then she has never committed herself to anyone by marriage, while three years later Lyle married Adrianna Belan and had two daughters by her.
Whoopi has been asked about her three failed marriages in many interviews over the years, and during an April 2009 appearance on the show “Friday Night with Jonathan Ross,” she made light of her past relationships.
“I like the party because everyone is very, very happy when they get married,” she told the TV presenter.
“Everyone is happy, they wish you luck, and everyone is really supportive.” My problem comes the next morning when you say, “Wow, forever? Really forever?’ and I just can’t decide, I’m awful!’ Whoopi added.
Shaken, not moved: Between marriages, Whoopi had a serious romance with James Bond actor Timothy Dalton
The 90’s: Between their marriages, Whoopi had a two and a half year romance with Timothy Dalton
Red Carpet Date: Whoopi and Timothy at the 63rd Academy Awards in March 1991
A few years after her split from David, Whoopi had a two-and-a-half-year relationship with James Bond star Timothy Dalton after they met through mutual friends in Los Angeles.
The couple was a couple from November 1990 to April 1993 and attended many red carpet events together, including the 63rd Annual Academy Awards.
Prior to his public romance with Whoopi, Timothy, now 77, dated Vanessa Redgrave and then Stefanie Powers.
The License to Kill actor has never married and it’s unclear exactly why he and Whoopi split.
Memorable affair: The starring role in ‘Sister Act’ fell to married co-star Ted Danson in 1993, but their romance ended in a very expensive divorce
An affair to remember: Whoopi had a romance with her Made in America co-star Ted Danson, who was married at the time
The heartache: Whoopi described her breakup with Ted as ‘very painful and very public’
Between her second and third marriages, Whoopi had a high-profile affair with Cheers actor Ted Danson, who was then married to Cassandra Coates.
The duo first met in late 1988 on The Arsenio Hall Show. Ted described Whoopi as “a sexy, fun woman”.
They became friends and starred together on the TV special Help Save Planet Earth in 1990 before falling in love on the set of Made in America in 1993.
Whoopi and Ted began an affair that became public soon after, eventually leading to his very expensive divorce – since there was no prenuptial agreement, the actor reportedly owed his ex around $30 million.
The same year that he divorced, father-of-two Ted was criticized for appearing in blackface at a comedy roast at the Friars Club in honor of Whoopi and using many racial slurs.
Whoopi later defended the sketch and revealed that she helped write much of the material, and referred Ted to the makeup artist who painted his face as a social criticism.
It’s Over: Ted was married to Cassandra Coates at the time of his affair with Whoopi and the divorce reportedly cost him $30 million
According to a Spy Magazine transcript, the monologue revolved around a scenario in which Ted took her home to his “stuffy and touchless” parents to find that “[she] fit right in. After she’d done the laundry and washed the dishes…”
Whoopi slammed critics who attacked Ted for the skit, saying they should have reckoned with tasteless, vulgar humor.
“We didn’t try to be politically correct. “We tried to be funny to ourselves,” she said at a news conference in October 1993, but the couple ended their romance the following month.
Years later, Whoopi reportedly told Closer magazine about the breakup, “It was really painful and it was very public.” And the loss of his friendship hurts a lot. We have nowhere to go and have a lemonade. “I’ve been friends with almost every man I’ve dated except this man.”
In October 1995, Ted married actress Mary Steenburgen, whom he met on the set of Pontiac Moon in 1993, and became stepfather to their children Lilly and Charlie from her previous marriage to actor Malcolm McDowell.
Meanwhile, in 1995, Whoopi enjoyed a brief romance with an orthodontist named Jeffrey Cohen.
Longtime love: Dracula actor Frank Langella dated Whoopi for several years and they even moved in together
Longtime love: Whoopi dated Masters of the Universe actor Frank Langella for six years
Cute couple: Whoopi and Frank, here in September 1995, also lived together
Public date: The couple held hands on the red carpet at the 48th Emmy Awards in September 1996
When her third marriage failed, Whoopi began dating actor Frank Langella, 17 years her senior.
The duo met on the set of the sports comedy Eddie, in which Whoopi plays Edwina Franklin and Frank takes on the role of William “Wild Bill” Burgess.
Before dating and living with Whoopi, father-of-two Frank dated actresses Diane Baker and Elizabeth Taylor and was also married to Ruth Weil from November 1977 until their divorce in 1995.
A few years after Whoopi split in 2001, Frank was linked to her co-host on The View, Barbara Walters.
According to a 2010 report, Whoopi “barely” spoke to Barbara when the cameras weren’t rolling.
A source told the National Enquirer, “Whoopi still has feelings for Frank and doesn’t think it’s cool of Barbara to get involved with her former lover.” It’s created an awkward situation for her and others at the studio.
“To Whoopi, Frank is just not a different guy.” “He was her husband and they lived together for years,” added the source.
No more marriages: Whoopi told her businessman friend Michael Visbal that she didn’t want to get married again
Former couple: Whoopi pictured with businessman Michael Visbal in October 2001
After her breakup with Frank, Whoopi began a romance with businessman Michael Visbal.
The couple dated for three years until 2004 and before the split there were rumors that they even talked about their future.
A source told WENN at the time: “Whoopi and Michael are very happy together but she has told him she doesn’t want to marry again.”
“She has a great relationship with him, the chemistry between them is great – intellectually, emotionally and sexually.”
They continued, “She believes that she and Michael were brought together for some mystical reason, but Whoopi wants to know why before she takes the big step of getting married for the fourth time.”
True Ally: Whoopi has been a supporter of the LGBTQ+ community for decades
Your support: Whoopi, pictured in July 2023, is a proud supporter and ally of the LGBTQ+ community
Whoopi is no stranger to being quizzed about her sexual orientation, with rumors circulating for more than a decade.
She has been a long-time supporter and ally of the LGBTQ+ community, and publicly supported the 1987 march in Washington calling for an end to gay and lesbian discrimination and more federal funding for AIDS research.
In 2014, Whoopi told Pride Source that she always thought of herself as straight, but said people made assumptions when she was in the movies The Color Purple (1985) and Boys on the Side (1995). ) played a lesbian.
Whoopi said she was more than happy to be welcomed into the LGBTQ+ community, explaining, “You know, nobody tried to claim me, nobody wanted me.” Black people didn’t want me. Nobody wanted me. But I’ve always been claimed by the gay community. Always.
“There are far worse things I could have been accused of – things that would really upset me!” This isn’t one of them. That has never been the case. I grew up in the theater. “I grew up in a neighborhood that has always had gay people,” she added.
The following year, during an episode of The View, Whoopi responded to Matt Damon’s controversial statements about actors keeping their sexual identities secret for their careers and said she didn’t agree.
Group hug: Whoopi pictured on the set of The View in 2015 along with Nicolle Wallace, Raven-Symone and Rosie Perez
At the time, Whoopi said that she believed actors should be able to act anything convincingly and act it in all kinds of situations, explaining that whether a person knows or believes has little to do with their ability that she is gay or not.
“People get out with you.” “People tell your company whether you tell it or not, in terms of mysticism and all that, you know, it used to be possible for you to make that decision yourself,” she said.
In May 2017, she spoke out for transgender rights at the 28th GLAAD Media Awards.
Whoopi served as executive producer of the show Strut and took the stage to accept the award for Outstanding Reality Program.
“If you listen to people saying there’s something wrong with transgender people and we need to make all these crazy changes, maybe it’s time you go,” she said along with the show’s transgender stars.
“You’ve got two years before the next batch of people get thrown out,” she added, referring to the politicians up for election in the midterm elections. ‘Pay attention. “If it’s not about the people, it’s about the party, and it should never be about the party.”
Whoopi ended her acceptance speech by thanking TV network Oxygen for taking the risk of appearing on their transgender model show, which she says “scared everyone else to death.”
“The reason it scared people was because everyone had an idea of what ‘transgender’ meant, instead of saying, ‘Oh, it’s just another person.'”
Single and unwilling to mingle, Whoopi doesn’t want to “do the work” that comes with a relationship
Single Woman: It’s unclear if Whoopi is currently in a romantic relationship, but in recent years she’s made it clear that she’s comfortable with herself
To be honest, the actress said she realized she didn’t “want to do the work” that comes with a relationship
Big night: Whoopi took her daughter Alexandrea to the 2016 Oscars as her plus point
It’s unclear if Whoopi is currently in a romantic relationship, but in recent years she’s made it clear that she’s comfortable with herself.
During an appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert in 2015, Whoopi admitted she’s single because she “don’t want to do the work.”
“It took me so long to realize that being alone was okay with me.” “And I didn’t realize that, I kept trying to do something but couldn’t figure out why it wasn’t worked,” she told the talk show host.
“I was a decent person. The guy I was with was a decent person. And then I realized, “You don’t want to do the work, whoop.”
Most recently, in late 2021, she appeared on The Drew Barrymore Show and spoke about relationships again.
“I think they’re great for other people,” she said. “For many, many years I thought, ‘I have to do this right.’ And then one day I realized, ‘I don’t have to do this right. I did it right for me.”