Whoopi Goldberg of ‘The View’ Recounts Saving Her Mother from a Suicide Attempt

Whoopi Goldberg, the celebrated co-host of “The View” and an Academy Award-winning actress, has delved deep into her personal history in her new memoir titled “Bits and Pieces: My Mother, My Brother, and Me.” The book not only reflects on her life but also provides a poignant look into the challenges she and her family faced, including a harrowing incident from her childhood where she saved her mother from a suicide attempt.

Growing up in a financially strapped household, Goldberg recalls the struggles her family endured. Her mother, Emma Johnson, who passed away in 2010 following a stroke, was a single parent who worked tirelessly as a nurse to support her children without ever seeking welfare or other assistance programs. Goldberg’s brother, Clyde, whom she was also very close with, passed away five years after their mother died.

Her memoir explores the dynamics within their household, highlighting the strength and resilience her mother exhibited despite numerous challenges. One of the most distressing memories Whoopi shared involved a particularly traumatic day when she returned home early from school to find her mother behaving unusually. Emma was walking around the house barefoot, clad only in a slip and a trench coat, muttering incoherently, reported Daily Mail.

Unbeknownst to Emma, her young daughter was witnessing her walking towards the oven, turning it on, and attempting to put her head inside. Realizing the gravity of the situation, Whoopi quickly intervened, pulling her mother away from danger. Following this incident, Emma was taken away by medical personnel to Bellevue, a psychiatric hospital in New York City, leaving Whoopi and her brother to watch helplessly as their mother was wheeled away on a gurney.

This marked the beginning of a challenging period for the siblings, who spent the next two years without any updates on their mother’s health, moving from one relative’s home to another. When Emma eventually returned home, the impact of her treatment, which included electric shock therapy, had changed her significantly. Emma later confided in Whoopi that upon her release, she could not even recognize her own children.

The decisions about her treatment were made by her estranged husband and father-in-law, adding another layer of complexity to her recovery. Despite these immense challenges, Emma’s story is one of remarkable resilience. She later achieved a master’s degree in early childhood education from New York University, a testament to her determination and strength.

Her journey profoundly influenced Whoopi, who shared a close bond with her mother and often spoke of her with great admiration. Whoopi Goldberg’s memoir serves not just as a recollection of past events, but as a tribute to the enduring spirit of her mother. It sheds light on the personal trials she faced, the depths of her mother’s struggles, and the unbreakable bond they shared, illustrating the profound influence these experiences had on her life and career.

In a touching Instagram post at the time of her mother’s passing, Whoopi expressed her deep admiration, calling her “one of the best people I’ve had the privilege of knowing.” Through her writing, Goldberg invites readers to understand the complexities of mental health, the impact of family dynamics, and the redemptive power of love and resilience.