Whoopi Goldberg Was Homeless & Single Mom on Food Stamps - Now She Is Granny of 3 & Daughter Follows

In her youth, Whoopi Goldberg was homeless, suffered from addiction, lived on food stamps, and raised her daughter on her own. Nevertheless, she always hoped to become an actress and held on to her dream. Her daughter followed in her footsteps and is now also a famous actress. Today, Goldberg lives in a luxurious house where she brings up his grandchildren and great-granddaughter.

Caryn Elaine Johnson, popularly known as Whoopi Goldberg, is a woman of many trades. Besides acting, she is also a singer, a famous comedian, an author, and a TV personality. The actress has bagged numerous awards for her many talents, including a Tony, an Academy Award, a Grammy, and an Emmy.

The actress jumpstarted her stage career with her one-woman show "Spook Show," for which she won a Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album. In 1985, she appeared as Celie, a mistreated woman in the Deep South, in the film "The Color Purple," a role that would put her on the map and make her a household name.

Whoopi Goldberg attends the premiere of "Till" during the 60th New York Film Festival at Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Center on October 01, 2022 in New York City. | Source: Getty Images

She went on to star as a psychic in the romantic comedy "Ghost" before appearing in the 1992 "Sister Act." She followed the act up by appearing in its sequel "Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit," which saw her become the highest-paid actress at the time, leveraging a check ranging from $7 million to $12 million for her role.

In the following years, the actress's acting career gained traction with her appearance in "Jumpin' Jack Flash," "Clara's Heart," "Soapdish," "Ghost of Mississippi," and "Till." She also voiced roles in "The Lion King" and "Toy Story 3."

Recognized physically for her mischievous smile and trademark dreadlocks, Goldberg has used her masterful portrayals in both dramatic and comedic roles to establish a name for herself in the industry and become a trailblazer and an icon for other actors, especially of the African- American descent.

A Peek into Goldberg's Life — Childhood, First Marriage, and Daughter

Goldberg grew up in Manhattan, New York City, born to Emma Johnson, a teacher and nurse, and Robert James Johnson Jr, a Baptist minister. She grew up in housing projects alongside her brother Clyde. After her father abandoned the family, her mother raised them single-handedly, working several jobs to make ends meet.

Actress and comedian Whoopi Goldberg with her tree at the 2nd Annual 'A Night of 100 Trees' Gala, benefitting the New York Special Olympics, held at Limelight in New York City, New York, 7th December 1983 | Source: Getty Images

Life did not take the trajectory any parent ever hopes for their child, and Goldberg was no different. She dropped out of high school and became addicted to heroin. As a child in the sixties, she says she took as many mind-altering substances as possible.

At the time, it was something many people her age did. She struggled with the habit but eventually rose from that and got clean. Even so, she was still stuck between a rock and a hard place. She was young, uneducated, homeless, and without any money. She disclosed:

"And when I got clean, I was convinced I wanted to be an actor. I just needed a bit of time to convince the acting profession. So in between, I needed a job."

Actress and Comedienne Whoopi Goldberg | Source: Getty Images

Determined to make something out of her life, the actress moved to San Diego in the early 70s and started working odd jobs. She first became a waitress before relocating to Berkeley, where she worked as a bank teller and a bricklayer.

Goldberg painted a picture of her working as a bricklayer, recalling the sloppy cement, the grubby nails, and even the oversized dungarees she had to wear. But she needed money, and she would do whatever it took. She became pretty good at it and was invited to join the bricklayer's union, an honor bestowed to her for diligently aiding the wall construction around the San Diego Zoo.

Bricklaying was, however, only one of the trades she perfected. She also disclosed she practiced beauty therapy and has her beautician's license. But in true Goldberg style, she opted for the less-taken path and became a mortuary cosmetologist for a while.

In 1973, she married her former drug counselor Alvin Martin and welcomed their only child, daughter Alexandrea Martin the following year. Life was not any simpler then, and she became a welfare mother, depending on food stamps to feed herself and her daughter.

She was, however, determined to give her daughter a good life considering her situation, and she says while she got close to becoming homeless, her friends came through for her and put a roof over her head.

Goldberg and Martin split in 1979 when Alexandrea was only six. Following the end of their marriage, the mother-daughter duo relocated to California so Goldberg could chase after her dream of becoming a stand-up comedian and actress.

Whoopi Goldberg and daughter and guests during Whoopi Goldberg Wedding Reception - 1986 in Los Angeles, California, United States. | Source: Getty Images

Like her mother before her, who had raised her and her brother single-handedly, Goldberg would be the unwavering strength behind her daughter and would do anything to see her happy. She knew the path ahead was challenging but was determined to do whatever it took.

Becoming a Star — How Did It Begin?

After dropping out of high school, Goldberg's career began in East Germany, where she worked in theatre production. Once she returned to the US, she taught acting and comedy classes and continued working in theatre.

She made her first onscreen appearance in 1982, in "Citizen: I'm Not Losing My Mind, I'm Giving It Away," before creating her self-titled one-woman show in 1983, which initiated her triumphant entry into the industry.

Initially named the "Spook Show," the show transferred to Broadway under the title "Whoopi Goldberg" and went on to run for 156 performances. Landing her role in "The Color Purple" propelled her to indelible fame and earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress. By the 90s, Goldberg was a household name.

American actress Whoopi Goldberg and her daughter Alex attend the 63rd Academy Awards. | Source: Getty Images

In 1986 Goldberg found love again with Dutch cinematographer David Claessen, but that marriage lasted two years before the pair went separate ways in 1988. Six years later, she married her third husband, union organizer Lyle Trachtenberg, a union that lasted a year.

The failed unions prompted the award-winning actress to swear off marriage for good and told her friends to stop her if she ever announced a fourth marriage. And despite some high-profile relationships over the years, she kept her promise to herself and never married again.

Lyle Trachtenberg and his wife actress Whoopi Goldberg pose for a portrait as they arrive for the Dream Street Foundation Award dinner on October 22, 1994 in Beverly Hills, California. | Source: Getty Images

She had bigger fish to fry — pursuing her career and raising her daughter. And she did an excellent job as her daughter took after her, becoming an actress and producer. It was later revealed that Goldberg initially did not want her daughter to become an actress.

Nevertheless, Alexandrea followed in her mother's footsteps and is recognized for her work in "Sensitive Men," "Descendants," "Strange as Angels," "Call Me Claus," "American Intellectuals," and "Quest of the Delta Knights."

Whoopi Goldberg, daughter Alex, kids Mason and Jerzey at the Pauley Pavilion in Westwood, California | Source: Getty Images

She also played the character of a rowdy student in "Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit." Despite Goldberg's initial inhibitions about Alexandrea joining the entertainment industry, she has made a mark, and her efforts have not gone unnoticed.

In 1994, she was named Miss Golden Globes, currently the Golden Globe Ambassador. She was also the center of her mother's production, "According to Alex," a miniseries following the life of a 40-year-old who tries to reinvent herself after her children grow up and leave the nest.

Actresses Whoopi Goldberg (L) and Alex Martin attend the 22nd Annual Elton John AIDS Foundation's Oscar Viewing Party on March 2, 2014 in Los Angeles, California | Source: Getty Images

Besides acting, Alexandrea is also a producer on "Sensitive Men," a short comedy about two men trying whatever they can to get their exes back, and "Descendants," an animated film about good and evil.

Goldberg's Relationship with Her Daughter Today

In addition to sharing the gift of acting, mother, and daughter also have a beautiful relationship. On a 2016 episode of the view, Goldberg referred to Alexandrea as her "best, best, best friend." Asked by her co-hosts why she thought Alexandrea was her best friend, she said:

"Because she is one of the most trustworthy and loyal people I know. She is somebody who makes me laugh, like 'bwaha!' laugh, and we can talk to each other at any time of the day or night."

Their friendship is plain to see, and Alexandrea proved it by bringing her mother the most sentimental Mother's Day gift, a framed photo of herself, her mother, grandmother, and uncle (Goldberg's brother). Goldberg revealed that her brother had died the previous year, and the gift was timely and very well appreciated.

Over the years, Alexandrea has grown close to her mother, perhaps because, as an adult, she understands her mother's struggles to provide a good life for her. The actress recalled how Goldberg framed her welfare cards commemorating the tough days now behind them.

And even though the first ten years of her life were harsh, Alexandrea says she had a memorable childhood making plenty of friends, going camping, and climbing trees.

The struggles were a blessing in disguise as they helped Alexandrea become a better mom to her three children, and the bond between her and her mother has only grown stronger with time.

Alexandrea appreciates how good a mother Goldberg is to her, in addition to being a doting grandma to her three children. Alexandrea has been married to her husband, Bernard Dean, a film producer, for years. The two first met in the 90s, later married, and had two children, Mason and Jerzey.

However, their union was marred with challenges, and they soon divorced. Interestingly, they got back together and got divorced again before finally remarrying on October 15, 2011, in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Furthermore, Alexandrea is also a loving mom to her oldest daughter Amara Skye who she had with her high school boyfriend and who Dean raised as his own. In 2014, Amara became a mom, making Alexandrea a grandmother and Goldberg a great-grandmother.

Goldberg is as proud of her family as she is of her career and was even more thrilled when her great-granddaughter Charli Rose was born. She announced the news on "The View," then later shared a cute video on Instagram, gushing over how happy she was to have a new member in the family:

"Everyone, meet the new addition to my family Charli Rose. I'm doing something I [haven't] done in 40 years. I'm actually feeding!"

A woman of many talents, Goldberg is also an ardent philanthropist dedicated to making a difference in the world. She has used her status as a widely known celebrity to help many suffering from health care problems, homelessness, substance abuse, AIDS, and children's issues.

She believes we all have a purpose and are here for a reason. And she feels that a bit of that reason is to shed light on people and help them through the darkness. She once shared:

"I fear waking up one morning and finding out that my life was for nothing."

Now a host on the talk show "The View," Goldberg enjoys her success and continues to inspire other actresses with her numerous works in film, comedy and charity.

Her success has seen her invest in real estate as well as purchase herself a gorgeous home in the exclusive and historic gated neighborhood of Llewellyn Park, West Orange, New Jersey. She bought it in 2009 for $2.8 million.

The house, an eight-bedroom, six-and-a-half bathroom Colonial-style property, boasts an impressive 9,486 square feet and has some fantastic features but, most importantly, gives her the privacy her New York loft could not give her.

The actress disclosed that when she lived in New York, she could never have alone time outside because every time she tried sitting outside, people would come and interrupt her:

"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."

A sneak peek of Goldberg's home | Source: YouTube/Famous Entertainment

The stately mansion features heavy-duty security gates, mahogany furniture, her favorite paintings, and framed photographs on the walls. As someone who does not like going out often, the home is also perfect for Goldberg to host social gatherings and hang out with her grandchildren.

The home has a total of 23 rooms, including a state-of-the-art kitchen where she can whip up excellent meals for her family, an outdoor gym, a pool, and a patio area.

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