Joy Behar’s $30 Million Empire: 5 Shocking Facts About The View’s Most Outspoken Co-Host In 2025
Joy Behar, the veteran co-host of ABC’s *The View*, remains one of daytime television's most enduring and polarizing figures, continuing to drive the "Hot Topics" segment with her signature caustic wit and unapologetically liberal viewpoint. As of December 2025, Behar's tenure on the show is longer than almost any other host, cementing her status as a cultural commentator whose every word sparks debate, both on-screen and across social media.
Her consistent presence, sharp political commentary, and comedic timing have not only made her an essential part of *The View*'s success but have also contributed to an impressive personal fortune. From her recent, highly-publicized absence from the panel to her pointed critiques of political figures like Donald Trump and Marjorie Taylor Greene, Joy Behar continues to prove why she is the irreplaceable voice of the iconic talk show.
Joy Behar: Complete Biographical Profile and Career Timeline
Josephine "Joy" Behar’s journey from a Brooklyn-born teacher to a multi-millionaire television personality is a testament to perseverance and the power of finding one's authentic voice. Her career is marked by a significant mid-life shift that propelled her into the spotlight.
- Full Name: Josephine Victoria Occhiuto (later Behar)
- Date of Birth: October 7, 1942
- Age (as of Dec 2025): 83
- Place of Birth: Brooklyn, New York
- Education: B.A. in Sociology from Queens College; M.A. in English Education from Stony Brook University (1966)
- Early Career: High school English teacher at Lindenhurst Senior High School in New York.
- Career Shift: Began her career as a stand-up comedian in the early 1980s, performing in various New York clubs.
- Television Breakthrough: She had her own show, *Way Off Broadway*, and appeared on *Good Morning America*.
- The View Tenure:
- First Run: 1997–2013 (Original co-host)
- Second Run: 2015–Present (Returned as a permanent co-host)
- Awards: Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Talk Show Host (shared with her co-hosts for *The View*).
- Marital Status: Married Steve Janowitz (2011). She was previously married to Joe Behar (1965–1981).
- Children: One daughter, Eve Behar.
The Financial Power of The View: Joy Behar's Net Worth and Salary in 2025
Joy Behar is not just a co-host; she is a major financial pillar of *The View*, commanding one of the highest salaries in daytime talk. Her decades-long career as a stand-up comedian, actress, writer, and television personality has culminated in a significant net worth that reflects her enduring star power.
Net Worth and Annual Earnings
Reliable financial sources estimate Joy Behar’s net worth to be approximately $30 million as of 2025. This impressive figure is the result of her consistent work across different media, but her role on *The View* is undoubtedly the largest contributor.
As one of the show’s most senior and indispensable figures, her annual earnings are substantial. Joy Behar's salary on *The View* is currently estimated to be between $5 million and $8 million per year. This places her among the top-paid hosts, alongside Whoopi Goldberg, and highlights the value the network places on her ability to generate compelling, often viral, content for the "Hot Topics" table.
Her financial success is a clear indicator of her sustained relevance in the media landscape. Unlike many television personalities who fade, Behar has managed to maintain a high-level presence and salary well into her eighties, a rare feat in the competitive world of television.
Joy Behar’s Most Controversial and Talked-About Moments of 2025
The 2025 television season of *The View* (Season 29) has been particularly eventful, with Behar at the center of several high-profile discussions. Her ability to deliver a sharp, memorable quote ensures that even her briefest comments become national news.
The Trump Plaque and Melania Movie Critique
In a recent "Hot Topics" segment, Behar weighed in on the controversy surrounding the presidential portrait gallery, specifically the plaques reportedly left by the previous administration. Joy Behar famously noted that the plaques were "juvenile and unhinged," adding that the next administration would surely take them down, stating, "No one's gonna leave that up."
She also generated buzz with her commentary on a potential movie about Melania Trump, a topic the co-hosts largely agreed they would not pay to see. Behar’s quick-witted dismissal of the subject proved her ongoing commitment to politically-charged humor.
The Unexpected Invitation to Donald Trump
Perhaps the most unexpected moment of the year came when Joy Behar extended an open invitation to former President Donald Trump to appear on *The View*. This surprising move came during a discussion about Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene (MTG) and the ongoing political discourse. Behar, who is famously critical of the former President, suggested the invitation as a way to engage in a genuine, unscripted debate, a move that delighted and shocked viewers and critics alike. The co-host’s willingness to face her political opposition head-on highlights the tension and excitement that she brings to the panel.
Clashes and Co-Host Dynamics
The chemistry and occasional friction between the co-hosts are what truly define *The View*, and Behar is a key player in these dynamics. Her debates with her conservative counterpart, Alyssa Farah Griffin, and her long-standing, playful banter with Whoopi Goldberg are essential viewing.
She has consistently challenged Republicans and conservative guests, often lamenting the difficulty of getting major Republican figures to appear on the show, a point that drives much of the show’s political discussion. Her liberal viewpoint and acerbic sense of humor ensure that every discussion is lively, controversial, and deeply engaging for the show’s diverse audience.
5 Essential Entities That Define Joy Behar's Legacy on The View
Joy Behar’s legacy is built on a foundation of key relationships, recurring topics, and career milestones that have solidified her place in pop culture. These entities are essential to understanding her impact:
- Barbara Walters: The show’s creator, who personally selected Behar as an original co-host in 1997. Walters recognized the power of Behar’s stand-up background and her ability to deliver a joke or a sharp observation, a trait that became the show's comedic backbone.
- The "Hot Topics" Table: This segment is Behar’s domain. She thrives on discussing current events, from international politics to celebrity gossip, always offering a quick, often cynical, take. The show's success is directly tied to the viral moments she creates during this segment.
- Stand-Up Comedy: Before television, Behar was a working comedian. Her comedic training is evident in her hosting style—she treats the table like a stage, delivering punchlines and engaging the audience with a performer’s timing. This background is the source of her "caustic wit."
- The "Second Act" Comeback: Her return to *The View* in 2015, after a two-year hiatus, proved her necessity. Her absence was felt, and her return was a major event, confirming her status as an irreplaceable voice and demonstrating her resilience in the industry.
- Political Polarization: Behar has become the definitive voice of the liberal viewpoint on the panel, often clashing with conservative hosts like Meghan McCain, Candace Cameron Bure, and Elisabeth Hasselbeck over the years. This dynamic tension is the engine that drives *The View*'s ratings and keeps the show relevant in a highly polarized political landscape.
In conclusion, as *The View* continues to earn nominations, including four for the 2025 Daytime Emmy Awards, Joy Behar remains the show's witty, controversial, and financially powerful cornerstone. Her ability to generate headlines, whether through an unexpected invitation or a sharp political critique, confirms that at 83, the veteran co-host is nowhere near finished with her time in the spotlight.
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