Whoopi Goldberg Attributes Longevity on 'The View' to Substantial Paycheck
The veteran host acknowledges financial incentives as a primary driver for her continued presence on the ABC daytime talk show.
Whoopi Goldberg has stated that a significant salary is the primary reason she continues to appear on the ABC talk show "The View." The 70-year-old television personality, who joined the show in 2007, told W Magazine that the "good check" is the main factor in her decision to remain with the program.
"That’s really what it is. I’m well-paid, and I do a good job. I earn my dough, and sometimes people like it, sometimes they don’t," Goldberg said. She added that she believes she receives fair compensation, noting, "No one is going to pay me guy money to be in a movie. I get what I can, have as good a time as I can, and I don’t really worry about it much."
Goldberg has been a fixture on "The View" for over 20 seasons, initially brought on to replace Rosie O’Donnell. Reports from 2016 suggested her salary was between $5 million and $6 million annually. More recently, a source cited by Page Six indicated that Goldberg remains the highest-paid host on the series, with her salary in the seven figures.
This financial perspective contrasts with remarks Goldberg made shortly after the 2024 election. During a roundtable discussion about working-class voters, she described herself as a "working person" who would retire if financial circumstances allowed. "If I had all the money in the world, I would not be here, okay? So, I'm a working person," she stated on an episode that aired prior to her 69th birthday, emphasizing the financial struggles faced by many.
However, Goldberg has also spoken about her earnings more openly. In August, on the podcast "Baby, This Is Keke Palmer," she suggested that viewers would be surprised by her paycheck. While refraining from specifying numbers, she indicated it was substantial, prompting an excited reaction from the podcast host.
Goldberg, who holds an EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony awards), also indicated a willingness to leave "The View" for other opportunities. She stated she is "still open for this" and that "if I need to go, I go. If I need to go." When asked if "The View" was her highest-paying job, she responded, "No."
Amid reports of salary adjustments for other hosts on the show, an insider claimed Goldberg's seven-figure salary remained unaffected. The report also noted that some hosts expressed frustration over cuts to the wardrobe budget, which impacted their ability to wear expensive designer clothing.