TV show host Ellen DeGeneres, seen here on on September 8, 2015 in New York, is a hero to the LGBTQ community in America
GETTY IMAGES / Dave Kotinsky

Beloved comedian and talk show host Ellen DeGeneres has not only entertained audiences, but also advocated for LGBTQ+ rights and various social causes. Through her talk show "The Ellen DeGeneres Show," she promotes inspiring stories, and aims to spread positivity and promote kindness in the world.

However, her show has been accused of having a hazardous workplace in 2020. Producers were fired as a result of this dispute, and she later issued a public apology acknowledging that her own compassionate image was lacking.

While DeGeneres assures fans the decision stemmed from a creative desire for fresh challenges, the timing can't be ignored. Recent claims of a toxic workplace on the program prompted a management change and a public apology from DeGeneres. These problems certainly cast a shadow on the show's last season, which will be a melancholy farewell for viewers, whether or not they were a contributing cause.

Net worth

According to Forbes, DeGeneres is sitting on a net worth of roughly $380 million as of 2024.

Certainly, DeGeneres's talk show days were not financially difficult. She reportedly made a cool $50 million a year, and that's not only from her dancing and jokes. According to reports, she has a great deal that pays her a sizable portion (about 60%) of the money the program made from product placements, advertising, and fees. Estimates of her pay even after the program concluded put it at a very comfortable $75 million annually.

There was undoubtedly a time when DeGeneres pursued acting opportunities. She began her career in the late 1980s, making brief cameos in sitcoms and TV series. Her most well-known film performance was most likely in "Coneheads" in 1993. Although the exact amount she made from all of these acting roles is unknown, it is unlikely to have been her primary source of income. Her financial wealth appears to have been accumulated through her talk show and other endeavors.

Brand endorsements

DeGeneres' income is mostly derived from her lucrative endorsement contracts and branding alliances. She has adorned advertisements for well-known companies including JCPenney, American Express, Vitamin Water, Olay, CoverGirl cosmetics (in which she co-stars alongside Sofia Vergara from Modern Family), and Olay. Additionally, DeGeneres used her power to launch her own lifestyle company, ED Ellen DeGeneres. This collection provides a mix of apparel and household products for a well-rounded shopping experience, in addition to pet supplies to satisfy her passion for animals.

Real estate

Beyond the entertainment industry, DeGeneres demonstrates her astute commercial acumen. Her ability to recognize quality real estate has become another asset to her wealth. Her remarkable portfolio is featured by Architectural Digest, which also shows her aptitude for profitably purchasing and reselling real estate. Before she ever met her wife Portia de Rossi, examples include a California house that later became the setting for Kim Kardashian's brief marriage to Kris Humphries and a Hollywood Hills mansion that was flipped to Will Ferrell for $9 million. Another property was purchased by Heath Ledger. DeGeneres is a multifaceted powerhouse in the economic world, and it is evident that her financial expertise goes well beyond the stage.

In conclusion, DeGeneres' decision to end "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" marks the end of an era in daytime television. Her show, which has entertained millions of people and included a varied range of guests, has made an enduring impression despite obstacles and controversy. Her legacy as a trailblazing hostess and performer will surely live on as she pursues new ventures.