Let’s talk about something that gets people riled up: being friends with an ex. For many, it’s a tricky subject, but not for Whoopi Goldberg. This legendary talk show host isn’t just friendly with one ex; she’s pals with all of them. Yep, you heard that right—all of them.
On a recent episode of The View, Whoopi, now 68, opened up about her take on relationships during a discussion about National Text Your Ex Day. The show aired on Wednesday, October 30, and featured her cohosts Sara Haines, Joy Behar, Sunny Hostin, and Alyssa Farah Griffin. While some of her cohosts weren’t sold on the idea of maintaining friendships with former flames, Whoopi was crystal clear: she’s got no problem staying in touch with her exes.
“I’m in touch with all of my exes,” Whoopi confidently stated. “Every single one of them. It’s not like we’re hanging out every week or anything, but I’m respectful enough to acknowledge them. They were once my friends, and that doesn’t just disappear because the relationship ended.”
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Why Whoopi Stays Friends with Her Exes
Whoopi went on to explain that relationships don’t have to end in bitterness or animosity. “I don’t owe anyone anything, but I can still be kind. I don’t have to sleep with you, eat with you, or do any of those things that a relationship might demand. But I can be friendly because, honestly, there’s no one I’ve lived with or dated that I absolutely hate.”
It’s a perspective that’s refreshingly mature and grounded. Whoopi’s take is that relationships, even when they don’t work out, can leave behind positive memories and mutual respect. It’s about recognizing the good times and learning from the bad ones.
Whoopi’s Love Story Timeline
Whoopi’s love life has been nothing short of eventful. She’s been married three times, each union leaving its mark on her life. Her first marriage was to Alvin Martin, a former drug counselor, back in 1973. At just 18 years old, Whoopi gave birth to their daughter, Alex Martin, that May. However, the marriage didn’t last, and they parted ways in 1979 after six years together.
Next, Whoopi moved on to cinematographer David Claessen, whom she married in 1986. This marriage was brief, lasting only two years before they called it quits. But Whoopi’s journey wasn’t over yet.
Her third marriage was to actor and ITSE union organizer Lyle Trachtenberg in 1994. This one was the shortest of all, lasting just one year before they decided to part ways.
Reflecting on Love and Lessons Learned
In a 2019 interview with The New York Times, Whoopi opened up about her past marriages. “It took me a while, but I realized that trying to change myself into something I wasn’t ready for, for a man, wasn’t his fault—it was mine,” she explained. “My marriages didn’t fail because of them; they failed because of me. My commitment wasn’t as strong as it should’ve been. Now, I can admit that I wasn’t really in love.”
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Despite her experiences, Whoopi has come to peace with her past. She’s found happiness in solitude and doesn’t feel the need to rush into another marriage. “I’m much happier on my own,” she said. “I can spend time with people as I see fit, but I’m not looking for someone to be with forever or live with. I don’t want someone in my house.”
Whoopi’s Dating Adventures
Of course, Whoopi hasn’t completely sworn off dating. Alongside her marriages, she’s had relationships with a variety of people, including actor Frank Langella, playwright David Schein, businessman Michael Visbal, orthodontist Jeffrey Cohen, camera operator Edward Gold, actor Ted Danson, and actor Timothy Dalton.
During a March episode of The View, the Oscar-winning star revealed that her most recent romance involved a significant age gap. “I’ve dated people of all ages,” she joked. “Age isn’t what draws me to someone—it’s not about how old they are, unless they’re under 18, which is a hard no. But let me tell you this: one of my last relationships was with someone 40 years older than me.”
