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8 Decades Of Wit: Joy Behar’s Age, Enduring Career, And Why She’s Not Retiring In 2025

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As of late December 2025, Joy Behar remains one of the most enduring, outspoken, and highest-paid personalities in daytime television, a remarkable feat for a comedian who didn't find mainstream stardom until middle age. Born on October 7, 1942, the veteran co-host of *The View* officially turned 83 years old in the fall of 2025. Despite constant speculation about her stepping away from the iconic 'Hot Topics' table, recent news confirms that Behar has firmly shut down retirement rumors, signing a new deal that ensures her presence on the show well past her 83rd birthday and into the 2026 television season. Her continued prominence at 83 is a testament to her unique, no-holds-barred style and an incredible pivot from a career as a high school English teacher to a multi-million-dollar television icon. The current buzz around her age and contract status—especially the fact that she is actively planning new stage work for 2026—makes her story a fresh and inspiring narrative about career longevity in a notoriously youth-focused industry.

Josephine Victoria Occhiuto: The Official Joy Behar Biography

The woman the world knows as Joy Behar began her life as Josephina Victoria Occhiuto, born to a Roman Catholic family in the Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York. Her journey to becoming a television fixture is marked by significant career changes and personal milestones that shaped her signature comedic voice.
  • Full Name: Josephina Victoria Occhiuto
  • Stage Name: Joy Behar
  • Date of Birth: October 7, 1942
  • Current Age (Dec 2025): 83 Years Old
  • Zodiac Sign: Libra
  • Birthplace: Williamsburg, Brooklyn, New York City, NY
  • Ethnicity: Italian-American
  • Education: B.A. in Sociology from Queens College; M.A. in English Education from Stony Brook University (1966)
  • First Career: High School English Teacher (until age 40)
  • First Husband: Joe Behar (m. 1965; div. 1981)
  • Second Husband: Steve Janowitz (m. 2011; together since 1982)
  • Children: Eve Behar Scotti (Daughter)
  • Grandchildren: Luca Scotti (Grandson)
  • Net Worth (Estimated 2025): $30 Million
  • Annual Salary (Estimated 2025): $5 Million - $7 Million

The Enduring Career: From English Teacher to $30 Million Net Worth

Joy Behar's professional timeline is a powerful example of seizing a second act, proving that it's never too late to pursue a passion. Her story is particularly compelling because she was nearly 40 years old when she made the decision to leave her stable teaching job and enter the volatile world of show business.

The Pivotal Shift in Her 40s

Behar’s initial career was in academia, where she worked as a high school English teacher for years. The major turning point came around 1979 after she experienced a life-threatening ectopic pregnancy. This near-death experience prompted a dramatic re-evaluation of her life and career goals. She quit teaching and began pursuing stand-up comedy in New York City clubs, honing the sharp, politically charged, and observational humor she is famous for today. Her early foray into television was not as a star, but behind the scenes. She worked as a receptionist and later a producer for ABC’s *Good Morning America* in the early 1980s. This foundational experience gave her crucial insight into the mechanics of daytime television. Her visibility began to increase with small acting roles, including playing Helga Von Haupt in the 1988 NBC sitcom *Baby Boom*.

The View and The View Salary: Her Financial Milestones

The true launchpad for her enduring fame and substantial wealth came in 1997 with the premiere of *The View*. Joy Behar was one of the original co-hosts, alongside Barbara Walters, Meredith Vieira, Star Jones, and Debbie Matenopoulos. Her role as the resident liberal comedian and voice of reason (or sometimes, unreason) quickly made her a fan favorite. Behar has been a co-host for the vast majority of the show's run, with a brief hiatus from 2013 to 2015. Her longevity and status as a show original have translated into significant financial success. As of 2025, her net worth is reliably estimated to be around $30 million. This fortune is bolstered by an impressive annual salary from *The View*, which is reported to be between $5 million and $7 million, making her one of the highest-paid hosts on daytime television. This substantial income stream, secured by a recently renewed contract, is a key factor in her decision to continue working well into her 80s.

Joy Behar’s Latest Updates: Retirement Rumors and 2026 Projects

The most searched questions about Joy Behar in 2025 and 2026 revolve around her future: Is she retiring? What’s her next project? The answers confirm that, at 83, Behar is as busy as ever.

The Three-Year Deal That Shut Down Retirement Talk

In a move that delighted her fans and confounded her critics, Joy Behar explicitly addressed and dismissed all retirement rumors. Despite turning 83 in 2025, she signed a new three-year deal with ABC to remain on *The View*. This contract extension ensures that she will be a fixture at the 'Hot Topics' table through the end of the 2025-2026 television season and beyond. When questioned about her plans, Behar has been unequivocal, stating, "I just signed a contract so I'll be here for a while. I have no plans to retire." Her continued presence is a major draw for the show, providing continuity and a veteran perspective that is increasingly rare in television.

Stage Work and Other Ventures in 2026

Behar’s career is not confined to the television studio. She is also an accomplished writer and playwright, and her stage work continues to be a major focus. In a fresh update, her one-woman show, 'MY FIRST EX-HUSBAND,' is scheduled to return to the Calderwood Pavilion in March 2026. The show, which enjoyed a successful run in New York City in January 2025, is a deeply personal and comedic look at her life, offering audiences a more intimate look at the woman behind the *View* persona. In addition to her work on *The View* and her theatrical commitments, Behar has maintained a steady presence in other media. In June 2025, she joined executive producer Brian Teta on *The View: Behind the Table* podcast to discuss some of the most challenging moments in her long career.

The Personal Life: Husband, Daughter, and the Janowitz Marriage

While her professional life is public, Joy Behar’s personal life provides the foundation for her comedy and stability.

First Marriage and Daughter Eve

Joy’s first marriage was to college professor Joe Behar, which lasted from 1965 to 1981. They had one daughter, Eve Behar Scotti. Eve, who is now an adult, is a private figure, but she has occasionally been seen with her mother at public events. It is through Eve that Joy gained her beloved grandson, Luca Scotti.

The Long Engagement to Steve Janowitz

Perhaps the most unique aspect of her personal life is her relationship with her second husband, Steve Janowitz. The two began dating in 1982, shortly after her divorce from Joe Behar. Despite their long and committed partnership, they famously resisted marriage for nearly three decades. They finally tied the knot in 2011, a decision Behar joked was spurred by tax reasons and the fear of losing her long-time companion. Janowitz, a retired school administrator, is a consistent presence in her life, providing a private anchor away from the spotlight of *The View*. In conclusion, Joy Behar's age of 83 in late 2025 is less a marker of a career winding down and more a testament to an unprecedented level of professional activity and relevance. Her new contract, stage projects, and continued outspokenness on *The View* confirm that the comedian, writer, and television host is nowhere near ready to trade her hot seat for a retirement hammock.
joy behar age
joy behar age

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