Joy Behar Finally Ties the Knot After 29 Years, Marrying a Retired Teacher Who Is 7 Years Her Junior.
After her first marriage ended, Joy Behar found love once more, but it took her nearly 30 years to marry her current husband, who is younger than she is. In a revealing podcast interview, the TV host discussed an unexpected topic that often leads to disagreements in their relationship.
Born on October 7, 1942, Joy Behar is celebrating her 82nd birthday! She is a veteran co-host of “The View,” having joined the show in 1997 as one of its original panelists, though she did take a brief hiatus in the past.
The comedian was let go from the show in 2013 but made her return in 2015. Reflecting on her exit from the popular ABC series, Behar remarked, “I was glad to be fired. I was pretty much over the show at that point, for reasons I can’t even recall.”
Behar was perplexed by the network’s decision to remove her, stating that they, too, didn’t understand the rationale behind it. “That was a very foolish move on their part. But they learned their lesson,” she commented.
Since her return, Behar has continued to be a staple on daytime television, and in an October 2022 interview, she expressed her desire to keep working on the show.
She mentioned that she recently extended her contract and plans to stay on “The View” for the foreseeable future. “I have no plans to retire,” she affirmed.
Behar admitted she still can’t comprehend how the show has achieved such high ratings, stating, “I’m happy to be a part of it. So no, I’m not going anywhere. I’m enjoying myself.”
The red-haired star celebrated her 81st birthday on “The View” in October 2023, though she prefers to keep a low profile on her special day.
During that episode, her co-host Ana Navarro noted Behar’s aversion to birthday discussions, while Sunny Hostin pointed out her apparent lack of excitement. Behar interjected, saying, “I can’t get excited. I’m just grateful to be alive, okay? At a certain age, you wake up and think, ‘I’m still here, my God.’”
Aside from being a beloved television personality, Behar has been married twice and is both a mother and a grandmother. She married a man who is several years younger after dating him for nearly three decades.
Her second husband, Steve Janowitz, is a retired teacher. They tied the knot in August 2011 after being together for 29 years. The couple wore matching outfits on their wedding day, with Behar in a short black dress and Janowitz in a black suit with a bow tie.
In a more personal revelation, Behar discussed the topic that causes the most disagreements in her marriage. On the May 8, 2024 episode of the “Behind the Table” podcast, she shared that despite rarely fighting, they often clash over one issue: the car.
“It’s always about the car,” she admitted, explaining that Janowitz, who has autoimmune deficiencies, tends to be a vocal backseat and front-seat driver. “He constantly critiques my driving,” Behar said, noting that after being together for 40 years, it has made her anxious behind the wheel.
She humorously recounted a mishap where she accidentally crashed into a farm stand, saying, “I had it in drive and forgot to shift it. I got out, and it started rolling… right into the farm stand. It was too late. I can’t even go to that farm stand now. That was one time too many,” she added.
The couple also took a ten-day trip to Italy in April 2024, which Behar jokingly referred to as “too much closeness.”
Upon returning, they experienced some tension during a simple lunch outing. Behar invited Janowitz to ride in her Mini Cooper, but he declined, stating, “I’m not getting in that car with you.”
In response, Behar suggested, “I’ll take my car, you take yours; we can meet there.” Janowitz didn’t like that idea but eventually agreed to get in her car. However, the atmosphere remained tense, and they hardly spoke during lunch except for Janowitz’s driving instructions.
“I told him, ‘I’m tired of you treating me like a child when it comes to my driving. I’ve had enough,'” Behar recalled, explaining how Janowitz continued to give her directions like “Turn here” and “Hit the brake.” She concluded, “Usually, I don’t mind, but it’s just too much time together.”
Despite the friction, Behar confirmed that Janowitz eventually broke the silence in an effort to smooth things over.
This isn’t the first time Behar has reflected on her marriage to Janowitz. Just a month after their wedding, she appeared on “ABC News,” where she was playfully asked if she felt like a bride, to which she responded humorously, “Do I look like a blushing bride to you? It’s been 29 years.”
When asked if she believed she was in a honeymoon phase, Behar responded with a firm no. The television star felt that she had simply fulfilled her obligation of marrying her partner after years of being together.
Behar was also queried about the secret to a long-lasting relationship. She explained that neither she nor Janowitz are particularly sensitive, allowing them to exchange remarks without taking offense.
She further highlighted Janowitz’s great sense of humor, noting that during the first year of their relationship, she chose not to reveal her profession as a comedian to avoid frightening him away.
Behar emphasized that their mutual perception of each other is important as well. In a separate interview a year after their wedding, she was asked why they had waited so long to tie the knot. Behar replied, “We took our time because I had been married before, and I didn’t really see the need.”
The “Hall Pass” actress humorously added, “We did it for the sex,” but clarified that, on a deeper level, it was about wanting someone who could provide emotional and legal support as she aged.
Janowitz is seven years younger than Behar, as she revealed during an episode of “The View” in October 2021, adding, “At this point, it’s really paying off.” The couple has now been married for 13 years.
In addition to her role as a wife, Behar is also a mother. She shares a daughter, Eve Behar, with her former husband, television director Joseph Behar, whom she was married to from 1965 to 1981.
As a proud grandmother, Behar showcased her daughter and her son-in-law, Alphonso Scotti, along with their son Luca, during an appearance on “Anderson Live” in November 2011. She spoke affectionately about her grandson, who was just eight months old at that time, describing him as “brilliant” and quite chatty for his age.
Eve, Luca’s mother, creates unique handmade ceramics. In August 2023, she shared glimpses from her art opening on Instagram, along with a family photo.
In the picture, a now-teenaged Luca sat with his parents and grandparents, all smiling for the camera. Another shot featured him alone with his beloved grandmother.
Eve also posted images from the event, showing the attendees, and captioned her post, “Scenes from an art opening.” She expressed gratitude to #juliekeyes and #juliekeyesgallery for the opportunity to showcase her new work, encouraging followers to visit the exhibit in Sag Harbor, Long Island.
While Joy Behar’s career and personal life continue to flourish, her marriage to Steve Janowitz—despite occasional disagreements—remains a source of humor and support for her.
Their relationship, built on years of understanding and laughter, provides Behar with strength amid her busy career and life in the public eye.
