You’re probably sitting there watching The View, seeing a woman with a sharp tongue and a bright red lip, and wondering if the math is actually mathing. It’s a common Google rabbit hole. Honestly, it’s one of those things that feels like a glitch in the matrix because she has more energy at her age than most people do in their thirties.
So, let's get the number out of the way. How old is Joy Behar? As of right now, in early 2026, Joy Behar is 83 years old. She was born Josephine Victoria Occhiuto on October 7, 1942. Think about that for a second. She was born in the middle of World War II. She has seen 15 different U.S. Presidents hold office. Yet, she’s still on national television five days a week, getting into heated debates and making jokes that would make a sailor blush.
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The Brooklyn Roots That Keep Her Young
Joy isn't just "TV old"—she's Brooklyn tough. She grew up in Williamsburg long before it was the land of $12 avocado toast. It was a working-class Italian-American neighborhood, and that environment basically forged the personality we see today. If you’ve ever wondered why she isn't afraid to walk off a set or tell a guest exactly what she thinks, it's because that’s how you survived 1950s Brooklyn.
She didn't even start in comedy until she was nearly 40. That's a huge detail people miss. Most "stars" are manufactured in their teens. Joy was a high school English teacher. She taught at Lindenhurst Senior High School on Long Island. Fun fact: Pat Benatar was actually one of her students. Can you imagine having Joy Behar grade your Shakespeare essay?
She didn't jump into the spotlight because she wanted to be famous; she did it because she almost died. In 1979, she had a near-fatal ectopic pregnancy. It was a "now or never" moment. She quit teaching, got a job as a receptionist at Good Morning America (where she eventually got fired, ironically), and started hitting the comedy clubs.
Why 83 Looks Different on Joy Behar
Most people at 83 are slowing down. Joy is speeding up. In late 2025, she celebrated her 83rd birthday on The View by doing what she does best: making a self-deprecating joke about her "holes being dried up" while selling old earrings for charity. It’s that lack of "preciousness" about aging that makes her feel younger than she is.
But it’s not just "good genes" or a great makeup team, though the lighting on ABC definitely helps.
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- She stays intellectually combative. Research from places like the Mayo Clinic often points to mental stimulation as a key to cognitive longevity. Arguing about politics for an hour every morning is basically CrossFit for the brain.
- The "Work Until You Drop" Philosophy. Joy has famously said she has no plans to retire as long as she’s having fun. She even returned to the stage recently for her new comedy My First Ex-Husband, which is touring through March 2026.
- A "Man in my Life, Not in my House." Her approach to relationships is legendary. She was married to Joe Behar for years, then stayed with her current husband, Steve Janowitz, for 29 years before they actually tied the knot in 2011. She maintains her own space and her own identity.
Addressing the Retirement Rumors
Every single year, like clockwork, a headline pops up saying Joy Behar is leaving The View.
People see the age—83—and assume she must be tired. But if you watch the show, she’s usually the one driving the conversation. In late 2025, rumors swirled again after a particularly heated exchange with a guest, but she’s booked for performances at the Calderwood Pavilion in Boston through the spring of 2026. She isn't going anywhere.
The reality is that Joy Behar has become a sort of "North Star" for a specific generation of women. She represents the idea that you don't have to become invisible after 60. You can still be loud. You can still be partisan. You can still wear a bold lip and tell people to "shut up" when they’re being ridiculous.
The Secret to Her Longevity (According to Joy)
If you listen to her Behind the Table podcast, she’s actually pretty open about how she stays relevant. It’s not a complicated diet or a secret elixir. Honestly, it’s mostly spite and curiosity. She stays mad at the news, which keeps her blood pumping, and she stays curious about the world.
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She often tells people that the secret to aging is to "fill the days up with a lot of stuff." Not just work, but things you actually like. For her, that’s writing plays, doing stand-up, and hanging out with her grandson.
What You Can Learn from Joy's Timeline
If you're worried about your own age or feel like you've started too late, look at Joy's timeline.
- Age 20s-30s: Teaching English, living a "normal" life.
- Age 40: Finally starts stand-up comedy.
- Age 55: Finally gets the "big break" with The View.
- Age 80+: Still the highest-rated personality on her network.
The math of how old is Joy Behar is less about a birth certificate and more about the fact that she didn't even start her "real" career until most people are having a mid-life crisis.
Moving Forward with This Info
If you’re looking to channel some of that Behar energy into your own life, the takeaway is pretty simple: stop looking at the calendar.
- Re-evaluate your "deadline." If Joy could start a television career at 55, you can start that side project at 45.
- Stay engaged. Whether it’s local politics or just a book club, the mental "workout" is what keeps the brain sharp.
- Don't take yourself too seriously. The reason Joy survived 83 years is that she’s the first person to laugh at her own expense.
Aging is inevitable, but becoming a "senior citizen" in the traditional, quiet sense is clearly optional. Joy Behar is living proof that you can be 83 and still be the most interesting person in the room.