Whoopi Goldberg relates to Americans ‘having a hard time’ — says she’d leave ‘The View’ if she could afford to

Whoopi Goldberg has been co-hosting ABC’s “The View” since 2007, making her the longest serving member on the successful daytime show’s panel. However, the celebrated actor and comedian with EGOT status recently admitted on the show that her tenure would have ended sooner if she had more money and that she isn’t immune from the financial pressure most Americans face.

“I appreciate that people are having a hard time. Me too. I work for a living,” she said. “If I had all the money in the world, I would not be here, OK? So, I’m a working person, you know?… My kid has to feed her family. My great-granddaughter has to be fed by her family. I know it’s hard out there.”

Goldberg’s admission of financial strain might come as a surprise given that CelebrityNetWorth estimates her net worth at $30 million. There are other highly-successful celebrities who have faced much worse financial troubles. Award-winning director Francis Ford Coppola has filed for bankruptcy three times while boxing legend Mike Tyson reportedly earned $400 million during his fighting career before filing for bankruptcy in 2003.

At age 69, Goldberg says she’s still working to pay the bills for herself and her family. Her situation highlights how family and financial mismanagement can push Americans to work beyond retirement.