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Whoopi Goldberg Is the Mom of One Amazing Daughter! Meet the ‘View’ Star’s Only Child Alex Martin

Whoopi Goldberg has so many blessings in her life, but her only daughter, Alex Martin, will always be her top priority. Aside from career accomplishments like her glamorous job on The View, her 1991 Oscar for Best Actress in Ghost and more, Whoopi is most proud of her role as a mom.

The Sister Act star added the title of a mother to her lengthy resume during her marriage with her first husband, Alvin Martin. The former pair tied the knot in 1973 and welcomed their beloved child that same year. Sadly, Whoopi and Alvin went their separate ways after six years of marriage in 1979.

Although Whoopi is one of Hollywood’s most accomplished stars nowadays, it wasn’t necessarily like that for Alex growing up. The Color Purple star’s daughter once recalled what it was like being on “food stamps” throughout her childhood.

“I know what it’s like because my mom has her [Welfare] cards framed,” Alex candidly shared during a 2015 interview with the Grio. “Seriously … I remember that. 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 movies.”

Fortunately, Whoopi’s career took off in the mid-1980s following years of hard work and determination. After getting her first big break in The Color Purple in 1985, Whoopi went on to star in 1987’s Fatal Beauty, 1990’s Ghost, she hosted the Whoopi Goldberg Show throughout 1992 and 1993 and she also starred in 1992’s Sister Act, among many more iconic films.

Despite her fame and superstardom, Whoopi and Alex remained as close as ever over the years. “We talk multiple times a day,” the proud mom gushed about Alex during a 2015 appearance on The Wendy Williams Show. On The View in 2016, the Academy Award winner even called Alex her “best friend.”

Aside from her marriage with her first husband, Alvin, Whoopi has walked down the aisle two other times. She was married to her second husband, David Claessen, from 1986 to 1988, as well as her third husband, Lyle Trachtenberg, from 1994 to 1995. She didn’t welcome any kids with her former spouses.

Scroll through the gallery below to learn all about Whoopi’s daughter, Alex!