Hollywood trailblazer, Whoopi Goldberg, has maintained a reputation for keeping her private life away from the public eye. However, her love for unconventional hobbies, like gaming, and her role as a great-grandmother, have offered glimpses into her world.
While Whoopi Goldberg’s career has made her a household name, her family remains her greatest source of pride. As a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Whoopi has built a tight-knit family.
Whoopi Goldberg at the “A Night With Whoopi” event on July 20, 2024, in Venice, California | Source: Getty Images
Her eldest granddaughter shares a particularly close bond with the star, even consulting Whoopi before making some major life decisions. During a TV appearance, Amara unveiled unexpected details about Whoopi’s personal life.
Whoopi Goldberg on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” on November 6, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
Whoopi Goldberg’s Early Life and Family Struggles
The Hollywood A-list star was first married to her former drug counselor, Alvin Martin – whom she reportedly met in Los Angeles. The pair wed in 1973, and then-eighteen-year-old Whoopi gave birth to the couple’s only child, daughter Alex Martin – the same year they married.
Young Whoopi had been battling heroin addiction throughout her teen years and reached out to Alvin. During her marriage with the father of her only child, “The Associate” star’s career began to take shape.
Whoopi Goldberg with daughter Alex Martin and guests during Whoopi Goldberg wedding reception September 7, 1986 in Los Angeles, California ┃Source: Getty Images
However, the family of three endured some struggles in the late ’70s. Alex once openly discussed the troubles she and her parents faced.
“I remember we had the one-room space, and we slept in the bed together. I remember when we wanted to travel, we would drive across the country in broke down bugs. We didn’t have the money to go to the movies,” she recalled.
Alexandra Martin and Whoopi Goldberg at the 38th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards in 1986 | Source: Getty Images
The “Call Me Claus” actress recalled during an interview with the Grio in 2015, “I found friends, I walked down the street, I climbed trees, I did camping.”
Young Alex revealed she and her parents survived on “food stamps” throughout her childhood. “I know what it’s like because my mom has her [Welfare] cards framed,” Alex explained.
Actress Alex Martin and her mom Whoopi Goldberg attend Alex Martin’s 40 And Fly Birthday Celebration at The Bowery Hotel on May 9, 2014 in New York City ┃Source: Getty Images
At the time, her mom had dropped out of high school. Whoopi and Alvin were only married for six years before deciding to part ways in 1979.
Even after enduring such challenging times, the producer has embraced that period in her life because it has made her a better mother for her three kids, daughters Amara and Jerzey and son Mason Dean.
Whoopi Goldberg and her daughter Alex Martin attend the 63rd Academy Awards on January 1, 1991┃Source: Getty Images
She welcomed her brood with her husband of over ten years, film producer Bernard Dean. Moreover, Alex and her famous mother’s bond is stronger than ever. As she followed in her acting footsteps, Whoopi’s eldest granddaughter also burst into the limelight.
Alex Martin with her famous mother and children at Nickelodeon’s 19th Annual Kids’ Choice Awards in 2006 | Source: Getty Images
Amara Dean’s Bond with Her Grandma
In 2022, Amara Dean, Whoopi’s eldest granddaughter, spoke about the deep connection she shared with her grandmother. The pair not only share a close bond but also a unique connection—they were both born on November 13.
“Me and my grandma are super close. She’s everything,” Amara shared. She also acknowledged the significant influence Whoopi has had on her life.
Amara grew up in a close-knit family, which she described as being “all we’ve got.” Reflecting on their strong ties, she explained, “We’ve created that connection. There’s only five of us in our family.[..] so we take each other real close.”
This family dynamic played a significant role when Amara decided to join the reality series “Claim to Fame.” Before committing, she sought Whoopi’s approval, stating, “Her approval always matters to me.”
Amara Dean and Alexandrea Martin-Dean attend the “Strut” New York Premeire in New York City | Source: Getty Images
According to Amara, Whoopi supported her decision wholeheartedly. Despite Whoopi’s fame, Amara managed to step into the limelight in her own right, competing in the show while balancing the inevitable comparisons to her grandmother.
Amarah Dean, Anthony Anderson, and Whoopi Goldberg attend the 2024 National Action Network Keepers Of The Dream Awards on April 10, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
Yet, Amara’s admiration for Whoopi remained unwavering. “It gets frustrating because it’s like, how am I going to compete with that? But I’m lucky enough to have that,” she stated.
She also called Whoopi a great-grandmother to her daughter Charli Rose, whom she had in 2014. On “Claim to Fame,” the youngster was one among several relatives of celebrities competing for a $100,000 prize.
Whoopi’s Personal Life with a 90-Year-Old Man
Despite getting the nod from her grandmother, Amara spilled the tea on Whoopi’s love life on the August 1, 2022, episode of “Claim to Fame.” She claimed her EGOT Award-winning grandmother had a secret relationship with a 90-year-old man called John, a billionaire.
Amara was talking to fellow contestant L.C. on the program when she first discussed Whoopi’s personal life. “My grandma, she likes to play Diablo, the video game. She has her purse and everything.”
As the conversation continued, Amara revealed some shocking details about her grandmother’s love life and even went as far as talking about her sex life.
“She had a boyfriend that was like 90 years old, and she used to go hang out with him. Some old white man named John […] and he was like a billionaire. She used to sneak off and get her sex appointments randomly,” she narrated.
L.C. expressed astonishment at the revelations and burst out laughing. “I love that for granny,” said Amara, adding, “She is out here living her best life,” the reality star joked.
At the time, it seemed Whoopi had taken a break from the long-running talk show, “The View,” and was in Los Angeles, judging by her social media posts.
The T.V. personality shared a since-deleted picture of herself and a professor at the University of Chicago, Jacqueline Stewart, at the “Academy Museum of Motion Pictures.” The comedian urged her followers to make a stop there.
One fan of the New York native commented on the said post and complimented her. “You’re so lovely,” wrote the social media follower.
Where Does Whoopi Goldberg Live?
The “Sister Act” star currently resides in a $3 million home in New Jersey. The mansion, which features a pool and a gym, is situated in West Orange, New Jersey, as she travels daily to Manhattan to film “The View.”
Whoopi bought the Georgian Colonial-style property in 2009 for $2.8 million, and the value has since increased to $3 million. The 12,713-square-foot home is in a gated community with 425 acres.
It consists of eight bedrooms and seven bathrooms and features a kitchen with granite countertops, beige cabinets, an island, and a window that brings in natural light.
One of the bathrooms in the house has white, yellow, and black tiles on the walls. In comparison, the living room has gray and beige couches and a matching rug. Whoopi’s home features hardwood floors throughout.
The Oscar winner made her abode feel homier by hanging artwork and family portraits around the walls. The 23-room mansion boasts an inground pool and a gym.
The author once revealed what she liked about living in New Jersey, saying the atmosphere is calmer than that of living in the inner city. “I lived in the city and had no way of sitting outside. Because every time I go sit outside, 50 people would come and hang out,” she revealed.
The 69-year-old explained that although she had no issue being with other people and spending time with them outdoors, she still needed some alone time. “I like people, but I just wanted a place where I could go outside and sit, and so I started looking,” she said.
Until her colleague suggested that she relocate to New Jersey, “The Color Purple” star admitted to knowing nothing about the place. He then told her that whenever she had free time, they should go and scout the area.
“My work partner said, ‘How about New Jersey?’ I said, ‘I don’t know anything about it.’ He said, ‘When you’re ready, let’s go explore.’” she recounted.
