Internet divided as Whoopi Goldberg reveals she chose career over motherhood at 19 for shot at fame

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: In a revealing discussion on Tuesday's episode of 'The View', iconic actress and Academy Award winner Whoopi Goldberg opened up about a poignant aspect of her life.

The choice she made between her Hollywood career and her role as a mother to her daughter, Alexandrea Martin. Goldberg, now 68, confessed that she prioritized her career over her child when she became a mother at the age of 19 in 1974, emphasizing that she knew the opportunity to pursue success in entertainment might not come again.

Whoopi Goldberg's candid reflections on balancing motherhood and career 

According to Dailymail, during the candid conversation prompted by Lily Allen's recent remarks about how having kids affected her career negatively, Goldberg shared her own experiences with motherhood and career advancement.

Despite acknowledging that her daughter didn't always appreciate her choices, Goldberg stressed that she never traveled without her child, ensuring they remained together wherever she went.

"My kid came before my career, and I chose my career because I knew this would never happen again," Goldberg explained. "She didn't always like it, but that is the process of being a parent - they're not supposed to like everything you do."

Whoopi Goldberg's commitment to motherhood amidst career success

When co-host Alyssa Farah Griffin suggested, "And you gave her a better life," Goldberg humbly responded, "Well, I hope... but the idea was I never didn't travel with my kid."

"I mean, even when I wasn't famous, when we went on tour, when she sat in that theatre with me, you know wherever I went, she went. So it depends on what you're able to do when you're able to do it," Goldberg added.

Goldberg's daughter, Alexandrea, made her mark in Hollywood at the age of 11 with a significant role in Steven Spielberg's acclaimed film, 'The Color Purple'.

Meanwhile, Goldberg's career continued to flourish, culminating in her winning the Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her role in Ghost in 1991, among other notable achievements in film and television.

'The View' hosts delve into balancing career and family

The conversation on 'The View' also included insights from co-hosts Sunny Hostin, Sara Haines, Alyssa Farah Griffin, and Joy Behar, who shared their perspectives on balancing career aspirations with family responsibilities.

Hostin highlighted the importance of prioritizing certain aspects of life at different times, citing personal sacrifices for the well-being of her children. Haines emphasized the need for flexibility and adaptability in navigating the demands of work and family life.

"I really think that you do have to prioritize certain things, like you can't have everything all at the same time," Hostin remarked. "You can have it at different times and my mother actually sacrificed her career for the first five years of my life and stayed at home with me and I remember that."

However, the conversation also touched upon societal expectations and gender roles, with Behar posing the question of whether men face similar dilemmas regarding work-life balance.

The resounding consensus among the panel was that men typically don't grapple with the same level of scrutiny or pressure when it comes to balancing career ambitions and family commitments.

"Do you think that men are asking themselves this question?" Behar inquired, to which the panel replied with a resounding, "No."

Varied reactions spark debate on balancing motherhood and career

The range of responses to Whoopi Goldberg's candid admission on 'The View' reflects the nuanced perspectives surrounding the delicate balance between motherhood and career.

One user wrote, "Very easy to say it differently. It didn’t RUIN your career, it STOPPED your career. Or HINDERED your career growth."

Another added, "Some people aren't capable of managing children and a career to a level that makes them happy and some people are and it's ok. It all depends on circumstances, timing and who you are as a person. There's no point trying to force yourself to do something that you don't want to do because you think it's a failure if you can't manage it all."

One commented, "Her daughter said earlier that she spent a lot of time wuth her grandmother in her early years. I think people have to be real and honest about choices you make. Doesn't make you a bad person."

One added, "I loved what Whoopi, Sunny, Sara, and Joy said in this segment."

One user replied, "Be careful…there’s a big difference between choosing a pop career vs a mom that has to work for financial reasons..don’t shame those women who seriously don’t have a choice."