Joy Behar, the quick-witted and unapologetically bold co-host of The View, has been a dominant voice in American television for over two decades. Known for her sharp humor and fearless commentary, she’s not just a talk show staple but also a successful comedian, author, and actress. With various income streams and a massive presence in the media, Joy Behar has built a legacy, both in fame and fortune.
Table of Contents
What are Joy Behar’s net worth and salary?
Joy Behar has an estimated net worth of around $30 million, according to 2021 reports, and she makes about $7 million a year for her job on The View. In fact, the comedian-turned-television-host has spent the past four decades working in entertainment as a stand-up comic, TV host, actress, and author.
| Full Name | Josephine Victoria Behar |
|---|---|
| Stage Name | Joy Behar |
| Birth Date | October 7, 1942 |
| Age (as of 2025) | 82 |
| Birthplace | Brooklyn, New York, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Education | BA (Queens College), MA in English (Stony Brook University) |
| Profession | Comedian, Actress, Author, Talk Show Host |
| Years Active | 1980–present |
| Famous For | Co-hosting The View |
| Net Worth (2025) | $30 Million |
| Annual Salary | $7 Million (from The View) |
| Marital Status | Married to Steve Janowitz (since 2011) |
| Children | 1 (Eve Behar) |
| Books | The Great Gasbag, Joy Shtick, etc. |
| Notable Shows | The View, The Joy Behar Show |
| Political Affiliation | Liberal / Democratic-leaning |
| Residence | New York City & Sag Harbor, NY |
| Real Estate Holdings | Manhattan condo, Hamptons home |
| Social Media |
Early Life
Joy Behar was born Josephine Victoria Occhiuto on October 7, 1942, in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, New York. The only child of a Roman Catholic family of Italian descent, Joy had always been surrounded by the strong woman figures in her life. She spent most of her childhood living in a middle-class family environment.
For her early education, Joy attended an all-girls high school, and at the age of 18, she finished high school with honors.
Career
Joy Behar got her start in the 1980s doing stand-up comedy. Her sharp, sometimes racy wit led to gigs on both stage and screen. She found her first big success as a regular on Good Morning America before getting her own talk show, Way Off Broadway.
However, she gained widespread recognition as a co-host of ABC’s daytime talk show The View, having joined the show in 1997. Her unapologetic opinions and biting humor quickly became the hallmark of the program. Behar briefly left in 2013, then returned in 2015 by popular demand.
In addition to The View, Behar has hosted her own shows on HLN (The Joy Behar Show) and Current TV (Joy Behar: Say Anything!) and made appearances in movies like This Is My Life and Manhattan Murder Mystery. She’s also an author with titles including The Great Gasbag: An A–Z Study Guide to Surviving Trump World.
Salary
Joy Behar reportedly makes a $7 million annual salary from The View alone. She also makes money through
- Book sales
- guest appearance
- Speaking engagements
- Royalties from past projects
This wide array of income sources has helped her maintain financial solvency, and her net worth continued to grow even when she wasn’t in prime-time TV.
Personal Life
Joy was married to college professor Joe Behar from 1965 to 1981. The couple had one daughter, Eve Behar, who is now a ceramic artist. In 2011, Joy married Steve Janowitz, her longtime partner of nearly 30 years.
Joy is probably the fiercest liberal voice, with the most screen time and coverage of political issues. She may have a ‘take no prisoners’ approach to politics, but she is also one of the funniest and most down-to-earth people on TV.
Real Estate
Joy Behar owns several properties in and around New York, including
- A Hamptons vacation home in Sag Harbor worth upwards of $4.75 million A Manhattan apartment, which she bought after selling her former Upper West Side co-op
- A summer home in the Hamptons that has breathtaking views of the waterfront
- Ws columns shrink, expert-Benoa
Her real estate is actually one of the biggest contributors to her total net worth.
Read More: Christina Aguilera Net Worth
FAQs
1. What is Joy Behar’s salary on The View?
Joy Behar reportedly earns $7 million per year as a co-host.
2. Is Joy Behar the richest host on The View?
Whoopi Goldberg typically has a higher net worth than other celebrities, despite being one of the highest paid.
