Joy Behar Net Worth, Relationships, Age/Birthdate & Birthday

Joy Behar is a comedian, television host and cultural commentator renowned for her sharp wit, long-running role on The View and influential voice in daytime TV.

Introduction

Josephine Victoria “Joy” Behar, born October 7, 1942, has become one of America’s most recognizable talk-show voices. With an estimated net worth of around $30 million and a personal life marked by both long-term partnership and single parenthood, her story blends comedic ambition, media influence and resilient reinvention. Her birthday falls each year on October 7, and her personal journey has also shaped the contours of her public persona.

Quick Facts

From Brooklyn Roots to Daytime Television Icon

Born Josephine Victoria Occhiuto in Brooklyn, New York, Joy Behar emerged from a working-class Italian-American family. Her father drove trucks for Coca-Cola and her mother worked as a seamstress. Her early life, marked by her hands-on upbringing and Italian-heritage humor, provided both the texture and voice of her later comedic work.

After earning a B.A. at Queens College and an M.A. in English education at Stony Brook University, she taught high-school English on Long Island—experience she later credited with giving her comedic material on the struggles (and absurdities) of everyday life in New York. 

Her pivot from school-teacher to stand-up comedian wasn’t immediate, but it was decisive. In the early 1980s she stepped into comedy clubs, small television appearances and talk-shows—each of these stops a little step toward visibility. It was her breakthrough role as one of the original panelists of ABC’s The View in 1997 that cemented her place in daytime television.

Defining moments in Joy Behar’s journey include:

• Leaving the classroom to pursue comedy full-time

• Joining The View as an original co-host, reshaping daytime talk-TV with feminist and comedic edge

• Writing books, including humorous essays and children’s titles, expanding her voice beyond the screen

• Sustaining a career across decades in a media environment that often sidelines women later in life

The Core Pillars of Her Wealth

The core pillars of Joy Behar’s wealth include:

• Television hosting salary: Her long tenure on The View and previous hosting gigs (such as The Joy Behar Show on HLN) have provided steady high-profile income.

• Comedy and stand-up: While not the sole source of her wealth, her background in stand-up and appearances in film/TV laid the groundwork for subsequent earnings.

• Publishing and royalties: She has authored humorous essay collections and children’s books, adding streams of income.

• Real-estate and investments: Not publicly detailed in full, but her moves in high-end NYC property suggest asset-based growth.

Note: The sources available do not publicly break down exact dollar amounts by category beyond the overall estimate of approximately $30 million.

Relationships & Family Life

Joy Behar’s personal life has unfolded with a rare mix of public visibility and private resolve.

She first married college professor Joseph Behar in 1965; the couple divorced in 1981. They share a daughter, Eve Behar (now Eve Behar Scotti). 
In 2011, after decades together, Joy married middle-school math teacher Steve Janowitz. The relationship had spanned nearly 30 years before the formal marriage.

Key insights into Joy Behar’s relationships and personal life:

• She balanced single parenthood with a rising career in comedy and television after her divorce.

• Her partnership with Steve Janowitz is characterized by mutual support; one article notes Janowitz helped behind the scenes during tech-glitches on her show. 

• Although Joy is a very public figure, her daughter Eve and family have largely maintained privacy; Eve is now a ceramicist and married with children. 

• Joy retains a strong New York and Long Island home-base, with family ties woven through her personal choices and residences.

Lifestyle, Assets & Interests

Beyond career success, Joy Behar leads a lifestyle that reflects both passion and purpose, including:

• Homes in New York City and Long Island/Hamptons: She sold a Upper West Side co-op and moved into a Lincoln Center condo, underscoring her longstanding NYC residence.

• Themed pursuits: A longtime stand-up comedian, she continues to perform occasional live sets, write plays (e.g., My First Ex-Husband) and support New York arts.

• Philanthropy & cultural engagement: While not heavily publicised, she participates in benefit events and uses her platform to engage on social issues.

• Personal favorites: Known for her lasagna (famously gifting it to colleague Whoopi Goldberg) and her Italian-American heritage, Joy often weaves food and heritage into her persona.

Net Worth Breakdown & Analysis

Evaluating Joy Behar net worth involves aggregating her income sources, asset base and brand value. Public disclosures are limited, so estimates draw on media-reporting and industry benchmarks.

Growth drivers and considerations:

• Long tenure on a major network show provides stable income and visibility that enhances brand value.

• Diversification into publications and theatrical projects adds alternative revenue streams beyond television.

• Real-estate investment and accumulation of assets in New York add a layer of long-term wealth preservation.

• Media reports converge around the ~$30 million figure, showing consistency across sources.

Public Image, Legacy & Influence

Joy Behar’s presence in American media spans decades — her public image is shaped by bold commentary, comedic timing and resilience in a male-dominated industry. On The View, she became known for outspoken commentary and fearless takes, which sometimes sparked controversy—but also established her as a voice of authenticity. 

Her broader legacy includes:

• Inspiring female comedians and television hosts by proving longevity is possible in daytime talk shows.

• Leveraging her platform to discuss cultural, political and social issues, making comedy a venue for commentary.

• Demonstrating that a late-career pivot (from teaching to comedy to national television) is viable with perseverance and voice.

Her personal life — especially the way she balanced family, partnership and career — adds to her appeal as a relatable figure who nonetheless succeeded in high-visibility arenas.

Conclusion

Joy Behar’s story is one of reinvention, endurance and influence. Born on October 7, 1942, she built a wealth of experiences—from classroom teacher to stand-up comedian to one of America's most recognizable talk show hosts. With an estimated net worth of about $30 million, a long-standing marriage to Steve Janowitz and a public persona shaped by wit and resilience, her journey invites admiration. Her birthday remains a personal milestone, and her age/birthdate serve as reminders of the era she emerged from and the legacy she is building. Through all this, Joy Behar continues to show that a dynamic career, candid personal life, and authentic voice can leave a lasting mark in media and popular culture.