I know you‘ve been wondering, so let me reassure you—Whoopi Goldberg is absolutely not dead! Yes, there have been some alarming rumors swirling, but I‘m here to give you the real facts. Whoopi is very much alive and simply recovering at home after testing positive for COVID-19.
Given how beloved the EGOT legend is, it‘s understandable people got worried when she wasn‘t on the season premiere of The View. But soon after, Whoopi herself confirmed in a video message that she‘s OK, just "a little under the weather" with a coronavirus case. What a relief!
In this comprehensive guide just for you, I‘ll share fascinating details about Whoopi‘s life, the inside scoop on her COVID diagnosis, what she‘s said about the death rumors, who‘s filling in for her, and what remarkable achievements we can still expect from the trailblazing icon. Grab some popcorn and settle in for the full scoop!
Getting to Know Trailblazer Whoopi Goldberg
Before we get into the juicy details, let‘s start with some background on the woman herself. Here are just a few of the amazing highlights from Whoopi Goldberg‘s life and career so far:
Born Caryn Elaine Johnson: That‘s right, before adopting her memorable stage name, she was Caryn Elaine Johnson from New York City.
Breakout in 1985: Whoopi shot to fame with her role as Celie in The Color Purple, for which she was Oscar nominated.
Youngest EGOT winner: At age 46, Whoopi became the youngest performer to earn an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony.
Iconic film roles: You know her incredible work in films like Ghost, Sister Act, Girl, Interrupted and so many more.
Groundbreaking comedy: From stand-up to TV and film, Whoopi broke major barriers for women in comedy.
Activism: She‘s advocated for women‘s rights, LGBTQ+ communities, AIDS awareness, and more over her career.
Books: On top of acting and comedy, she‘s authored multiple children‘s books and memoirs.
The View family: She‘s been on the hit daytime talk show for over 15 years since 2007!
I could go on and on about her achievements—clearly this legend has done it all. And at 67 years old, I have no doubt there are still more great things to come from Whoopi!
The Shocking Health Scare: Whoopi‘s COVID-19 Diagnosis
I‘m sure you‘ve heard the basics by now about why Whoopi has been missing from The View lately. But let me break down the details for you on her COVID health scare:
Missed season premiere: Fans noticed Whoopi‘s empty seat on the Season 27 premiere on September 6, 2023.
No explanation given: This lack of explanation fueled speculation since fans thought she‘d be there.
Tested positive for COVID: Soon after, Whoopi shared she has a breakthrough case of COVID-19.
Self-isolating at home: Like many patients, she‘s been recovering comfortably at home.
Expected return is September 10: If all goes well, ABC reports she‘ll be back on The View very soon!
Whoopi‘s COVID diagnosis is yet another reminder that this pandemic is not over. Even now in 2024, the virus continues evolving and penetrating our communities. The CDC estimates around 65,000 Americans are still testing positive for COVID every day.
And like Whoopi, many are breakthrough cases impacting those vaccinated and boosted. Per Johns Hopkins Medicine, around 30% of new COVID cases are breakthrough infections. Whoopi has been vaccinated, yet still contracted the virus.
Thankfully our vaccines continue providing excellent protection against severe disease. As Whoopi said, she‘s just "a little under the weather," not seriously ill. Still, high-risk individuals must remain vigilant against exposure.
Whoopi Directly Addresses Those Alarming Death Rumors
Can you imagine how shocked Whoopi must‘ve been to learn some people thought she had died just because she missed one episode of her show?
As soon as she caught wind of the morbid speculation, Whoopi recorded a video message to set the record straight. Check out what she had to say:
"Hey listen, it’s Whoopi. I am not dead!…It feels like just a cold. I‘m double vaxxed and boosted so my symptoms would‘ve been way worse otherwise. I can‘t wait to get back to work…I‘m not dead!"
How awesome is that? Whoopi‘s trademark sense of humor remained intact. And she reminded fans that vaccines likely prevented a severe infection.
According to Yale Medicine immunologist Dr. Ania Wajnberg, Whoopi‘s mild COVID case indicates "her immune system reacted exactly as we expect and hope it would" thanks to the vaccines.
While the rumors clearly alarmed Whoopi, she calmed everyone down with her signature candor and grace. We should all follow this living legend‘s lead and get vaccinated if we haven‘t already!
The View‘s Joy Behar Fills in While Whoopi Recovers
You must be wondering—with Whoopi at home healing, who‘s keeping her seat on The View warm?
Well, none other than OG co-host Joy Behar has temporarily stepped in during Whoopi‘s absence. And if anyone can fill those massive shoes, it‘s the quick-witted Joy who‘s been on the show since Season 1.
According to reports, Joy was ready to go at a moment‘s notice when Whoopi‘s COVID result came in. She‘s the perfect choice given their long history together:
- Co-hosted for nearly 11 years before Whoopi joined
- Were a dynamic duo from 2007 to 2013
- Enjoy a treasured friendship on and off screen
Of course, no one can truly replace the one and only Whoopi. But trusty veteran Joy Behar is keeping the conversations flowing with her signature feistiness.
The other regular co-hosts are still going strong too:
- Sara Haines
- Sunny Hostin
- Ana Navarro
- Alyssa Farah Griffin
So don‘t you worry—The View stage is still full of brilliant, bold voices. Whoopi will surely have a seamless return thanks to Joy‘s excellent fill-in performance.
Whoopi‘s Fascinating Stance on Holograms After Death
Speaking of returns, Whoopi made her definitive stance known on any potential hologram usage after she passes away. As some celebs have done hologram concerts and performances, Whoopi said NO THANKS!
According to her will, she has legally forbidden any creation or distribution of a Whoopi Goldberg hologram posthumously.
This brilliant woman wants full control over her image and legacy. Can‘t say I blame her! A hologram could never truly capture Whoopi‘s spirit anyway.
This iron-clad clause in her will shows Whoopi‘s forward thinking. And it demonstrates how gracefully she‘s approaching end-of-life matters on her own terms. Whoopi continues paving the way!
Whoopi‘s Previous Health Struggles Through the Years
Unfortunately, this bout of COVID is far from Whoopi Goldberg‘s first health crisis. Did you know she‘s battled numerous medical issues over the years?
Here are just a few of the major illnesses and injuries she has so courageously struggled with:
Dyslexia: Whoopi has been very open about her learning challenges with dyslexia.
Addiction: She overcame addictions to smoking, cocaine and even heroin early in life.
Depression: Like so many creative people, Whoopi has also spoken about dealing with depression.
Migraines: These debilitating headaches have plagued her for decades.
Pneumonia: In 2019, Whoopi was hospitalized for a severe case of pneumonia.
Back injury: She herniated a disc in her back and underwent surgery in 2010.
Despite all of those frightening health conditions, look how much Whoopi has achieved! Time after time, she has persevered even in the face of illness and adversity.
We should never underestimate her incredible resilience. Whoopi always seems to bounce back—this COVID diagnosis will surely be no different. She is the true definition of a survivor!
What‘s Next for Whoopi Goldberg?
As we‘ve explored, Whoopi is alive and well, folks. She continues to recover from COVID-19 and will return to her View throne soon enough. So now let‘s look ahead—what does the future have in store for this entertainment legend?
Well, at only 67, Whoopi still has plenty left to offer the world. I predict she‘ll achieve the following in the years to come:
The View for years to come: She just signed a contract through 2025! And I bet she‘ll stick around even longer.
More boundary breaking roles: No doubt she‘ll act in movies, TV, and theater that challenge how the world sees women and people of color.
Impactful activism: I fully expect her social and political advocacy to get even louder in all the right ways.
Shining light on health issues: She‘ll likely continue sharing her own health struggles to help others feel less alone.
Memoir and more books: She‘s such a talented author, I‘d love for her to write about her amazing life!
Meaningful mentorship: With all her experience, think of how many lives she can impact by mentoring up-and-coming talents.
Living life to the fullest: Most importantly, I‘m positive Whoopi will continue enjoying every moment with her family, friends and passions.
Whoopi is truly one of a kind—a woman who laughs in the face of adversity. She is utterly irreplaceable, both on screen and off. We still need Whoopi Goldberg‘s unique voice, now more than ever!
So take care of yourself, Ms. Goldberg. The world awaits your highly anticipated return. And we‘ll be right here cheering you on to magical new milestones!
FAQs About Whoopi Goldberg‘s Health Scare
Let‘s wrap up with some quick answers to common questions people have about Whoopi‘s COVID diagnosis:
Q: Where is Whoopi self-isolating?
A: Most likely at her beautiful home in West Orange, New Jersey!
Q: Will Whoopi be back on The View this season?
A: Yes! Her planned return is September 10th, 2023.
Q: How is Joy Behar doing as her temporary replacement?
A: Joy is doing fantastic keeping discussions lively and hilarious!
Q: What treatments is Whoopi getting for COVID-19?
A: Most likely just rest along with over-the-counter medications to relieve symptoms.
Q: Is anyone else from The View cast out sick?
A: Nope, it seems Whoopi is the only one affected in this case.
I hope this breakdown has helped answer all your burning questions about Whoopi Goldberg‘s unfortunate COVID diagnosis. Always reach out if you need more details! Wishing Whoopi a swift recovery.
