You probably know her as the person who tells it like it is every morning on The View. Or maybe you still think of her as the wisecracking lounge singer turned nun in Sister Act. Either way, Whoopi Goldberg is a household name, an EGOT winner, and a cultural force. But when it comes to whoopi goldberg net worth in 2022, things get a little more interesting than just a big number on a screen.
Honestly, there’s a bit of a disconnect. If you look at most celebrity wealth trackers, they’ll tell you she's sitting on tens of millions. Yet, Whoopi herself has famously joked—or maybe it wasn't a joke—that she still has to work. She’s even said that if she stopped working, the money would run out.
So, what’s the real story? Let's break down the assets, the salary, and the actual lifestyle of a woman who has been at the top of Hollywood for over four decades.
The Big Number: Estimating Whoopi Goldberg Net Worth in 2022
By most accounts, whoopi goldberg net worth in 2022 sat comfortably around $60 million.
Now, $60 million is a lot of money. It’s "never-eat-generic-cereal-again" money. But in the world of Hollywood A-listers, it’s actually a bit lower than some might expect for someone with her longevity. For context, her co-host Joy Behar isn't far behind, and media moguls like Oprah are in a different galaxy entirely.
The $60 million figure reflects a mix of liquid cash, massive real estate holdings, and the "Whoopi Inc." brand. But wealth isn't just what you have in the bank; it’s what’s coming in every month.
The View: The $8 Million Anchor
For years, The View has been Whoopi’s steady paycheck. In 2022, reports from outlets like The Sun and Variety indicated she was pulling in roughly $8 million a year to moderate the panel.
Think about that. $8 million a year just to share your opinions. It sounds like a dream, but Whoopi has been very vocal about treating it like a 9-to-5. She’s told The New York Times that she’s basically "playing a role" and that it’s a job she does so she can afford to do the things she actually cares about.
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- 2016 Salary: $5 million - $6 million
- 2022 Salary: $8 million
- Daily Rate: Roughly $32,000 per episode
That steady stream of income is what keeps the lights on at her various properties, but it’s the historical film money that built the foundation.
The "Sister Act" Legacy and Film Riches
We can't talk about her wealth without going back to the 90s. Whoopi wasn't just an actress; she was the actress.
When she signed on for Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit, she negotiated a deal that made her the highest-paid actress in Hollywood at the time. She reportedly walked away with somewhere between $7 million and $12 million for that single movie. In 1993 dollars, that’s equivalent to nearly $25 million today.
She also voiced Shenzi in The Lion King, which remains one of the highest-grossing media franchises in history. While she doesn't get a percentage of the billion-dollar merchandise sales (Disney is stingy like that), the residuals from her voice work and classic films like Ghost and The Color Purple continue to trickle in.
Real Estate: Where the Money Actually Lives
Whoopi doesn't strike me as the type to blow her money on Bitcoin or flashy jewelry. Instead, she puts it into dirt and bricks. Her real estate portfolio is where a huge chunk of that $60 million net worth is parked.
Her primary residence is a massive estate in Llewellyn Park, New Jersey. She bought it back in 2009 for about $2.8 million. It’s a historic home, very private, and very Whoopi. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
Over the years, she’s bought and sold:
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- A Pacific Palisades mansion (Sold in 2018 for $8.8 million).
- A 745-acre ranch in Vermont (Sold for $1.5 million).
- A historic Victorian in Berkeley.
- A SoHo loft in Manhattan.
She’s a savvy flipper. She buys unique, character-filled properties and sells them when the market is hot. In 2022, her New Jersey home alone was estimated to be worth significantly more than what she paid for it, thanks to the suburban real estate boom.
Business Ventures and the Cannabis Hustle
Whoopi is a bit of a serial entrepreneur. She doesn't just put her name on things; she tries to build them.
She co-founded Whoopi & Maya, a medical cannabis company focused on menstrual relief, back in 2016. Sadly, that business folded in 2020 due to internal board disagreements, not a lack of sales. But she didn't stay out of the game for long. By 2021 and 2022, she was launching Emma & Clyde, another cannabis brand named after her mother and brother.
She also has her own fashion line, Dubgee By Whoopi, which she launched in 2019. It’s focused on comfortable, "real-person" clothes. While these ventures might not be making $100 million a year, they provide diversified income streams that protect her from the whims of TV executives.
Endorsements: From Slim-Fast to Migraine Meds
You’ve probably seen her in commercials. She’s done everything from the Gap to Poise pads. In 2022, she was a major face for Nurtec ODT, a migraine medication. These endorsement deals can easily add $1 million to $2 million to a celebrity's annual take-home pay, especially for someone with Whoopi's level of "trust factor" with the public.
Why she says she's "not rich"
This is the part that confuses people. In several interviews throughout 2022, Whoopi alluded to the fact that she isn't "wealthy" in the way people think.
"I have to work," she has said.
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Part of this is likely due to her high overhead. Maintaining multiple estates, paying a full staff, and supporting an extended family is expensive. Whoopi has always been the breadwinner for her circle. When you’re the "money tree" for a lot of people, even a $60 million net worth can feel a bit thin if you aren't careful.
Also, taxes. As a high-earner in New York and New Jersey, she’s likely losing nearly 50% of her gross income to federal and state taxes. After the agents, managers, and lawyers take their 10-20%, that $8 million salary from The View starts to look a lot more like $3 million.
What we can learn from Whoopi’s Finances
The story of whoopi goldberg net worth in 2022 is really a lesson in longevity. She didn't make her money from one lucky break. She made it by being the hardest-working person in the room for 40 years.
She also didn't put all her eggs in one basket. If The View cancelled her tomorrow (and there have been plenty of "cancel" attempts over the years), she has the real estate, the book deals—like her memoir Bits and Pieces—and her production company, Whoopi Inc., to fall back on.
Actionable Insights for Your Own Wealth
- Diversify like a pro: Whoopi has TV, film, books, fashion, and cannabis. If one industry dips, the others keep her afloat.
- Real Estate is a hedge: Her most consistent wealth growth hasn't come from her salary, but from the appreciation of her homes.
- Know your "burn rate": Even with millions, Whoopi feels the pressure to work. It’s a reminder that no matter how much you make, managing your expenses is what actually gives you freedom.
If you’re looking to track how celebrity wealth changes, keep an eye on her production deals. Whoopi is currently involved in a massive project to build a film studio in Newark, New Jersey. That kind of infrastructure investment is what turns a "rich" celebrity into a "wealthy" mogul.
The takeaway? Whoopi isn't just a lady on a talk show; she's a business, man.
Next Step: Research the current status of the Newark studio project to see how Whoopi is transitioning from talent to owner-operator in the film industry.