Whoopi Goldberg Says She “Can’t Afford” to Retire from The View Because She Didn’t “Marry Well” — Despite a Lucrative Real-Estate Portfolio
In a candid conversation that’s sparking headlines, Whoopi Goldberg — longtime co-host of the daytime talk show The View — revealed she has no plans to retire yet, and the reason might surprise you: she says she “can’t afford” to stop working because she didn’t “marry well.”
At 69 years old, Goldberg has enjoyed a decades-long career across film, television and stage; she is an EGOT winner (Academy + Emmy + Grammy + Tony) and has accrued what appears to be a substantial personal fortune, including investments in real estate. EW.com+3HELLO!+3realtor.com+3 Yet despite this success, she is blunt about why she remains at the table.
What She Said
In a recent interview, Goldberg was asked if she was ready to slow down or step away from The View. Her response was direct:
“If you don’t marry well, you got to keep working.” realtor.com+2Thị Trường Quan Sát+2
And when told she could likely afford to retire based on her career earnings, she replied:“No, not by now. Not yet. I gotta keep paying those bills, baby.” HELLO!+1
She further acknowledged that the talk-show gig is more than just a passion — it’s her job, and she still needs to show up. EW.com
But Wait — She Owns Big Real Estate
Here’s where the twist lies. Although Goldberg says she can’t afford to retire, she does have a noteworthy portfolio of properties:
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A mansion in New Jersey she purchased in 2009 for $2.8 million, boasting roughly 9,486 sq ft. realtor.com+1
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A former Pacific Palisades estate she bought for $2.5 million in the 1990s and sold years later for $8.8 million. Thị Trường Quan Sát
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Earlier homes in Berkeley, Vermont and a loft in SoHo among her investments. HELLO!
So yes — the headlines are accurate in noting that her real-estate holdings reflect savvy investment moves. But Goldberg frames her situation differently.
What It Really Means
Goldberg’s statement can be unpacked in several ways:
1. Financial Realism vs. Public Perception — Although she appears wealthy by most standards, Goldberg suggests that stability is not guaranteed just because you’ve “made it.” Daily expenses, taxes, maintenance on multiple high-value homes, and career longevity all add up.
2. Work as Identity — For someone like Goldberg, work isn’t just about money; it’s about voice, relevance and purpose. She has talked before about how life on The View is “a job” and a platform. HELLO!
3. The Value of Independence — Her remark about not marrying well strikes a deeper chord: it hints at the value she places on self-reliance and the personal lessons from her three marriages. People.com+1
Why Fans Are Paying Attention
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For entertainment watchers: It’s rare to hear such blunt truth from a celebrity about money, marriage and retirement.
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For pop-culture observers: Goldberg’s candidness highlights the pressures of being a public figure who keeps working well past what many consider “retirement age”.
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For anyone thinking about legacy: It raises questions about how success is measured, how careers evolve, and what we assume about wealthy people stepping away.
Even someone with the accolades of Whoopi Goldberg — a star in film, television, theater and beyond — will tell you: success doesn’t always mean you’re done. Her remark that she still has to “keep paying those bills” isn’t just a punchline — it’s a reminder of the invisible costs behind the glamour: financial upkeep, personal decisions, career demand, and independence.
And if you thought she was retiring, you can safely cross that off the list — for now, at least.
