Net Worth Ranker
What Is Bill Maher’s Net Worth?
Bill Maher, a prominent American comedian, actor, and television host, has accumulated a net worth of approximately $140 million as of 2025. A significant portion of this wealth is attributed to his strategic investment in the New York Mets back in 2012. His career is defined by his political satire, comedic timing, and insightful sociopolitical commentary, prominently featured on his HBO talk show, “Real Time with Bill Maher.” His sharp wit and willingness to tackle controversial subjects have made him a mainstay in the world of political comedy.
“Real Time” Salary and Career Beginnings
Bill Maher earns an impressive $10 million annually for his role on “Real Time.” This substantial salary underscores his continued relevance and popularity in the late-night television landscape.
William Maher was born on January 20, 1956, in New York City. His father, William, was a network news editor and radio announcer, while his mother, Julie, worked as a nurse. Bill and his sister spent their formative years in River Vale, New Jersey. He completed his high school education at Pascack Hills High School in 1974 before pursuing higher education at Cornell University. At Cornell, he pursued a double major in English and history, graduating in 1978.
Following his graduation, Maher embarked on his career in comedy and acting. In 1979, he served as the host at the Catch a Rising Star comedy club in New York City, honing his skills in front of live audiences. By 1982, he had made his way onto national television, appearing on renowned shows like “The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson” and David Letterman’s “Late Show,” marking the beginning of his ascent in the entertainment industry.
Early Career and “Politically Incorrect”
Maher’s feature film debut occurred in 1983 with a role in the movie “D.C. Cab.” Throughout the mid-1980s, he broadened his acting portfolio by securing minor roles in various television shows, including “Sara” (1985), “Max Headroom” (1987), “Murder, She Wrote” (1989, 1990), and “Charlie Hoover” (1991). His film appearances during this period also included roles in “Ratboy” (1986), “House II: The Second Story” (1987), “Cannibal Women in the Avocado Jungle of Death” (1988), “Newhart” (1988), and “Pizza Man” (1991). In 1990, he briefly hosted the talk show “Midnight Hour” on CBS.
The role that significantly elevated Maher’s profile was his position as the host of “Politically Incorrect with Bill Maher,” a late-night political talk show. The show aired on Comedy Central from 1993 to 1997 before moving to ABC, where it ran from 1997 to 2002. The show typically began with a topical monologue delivered by Maher, followed by the introduction of a diverse panel of guests. These guests often came from various backgrounds, including show business, popular culture, political commentary, political consulting, authorship, and occasionally, news reporting. The guests, along with Maher, engaged in discussions on current events and controversial topics.
“Politically Incorrect” garnered considerable popularity and received several accolades during its run, including an Emmy Award for Outstanding Technical Direction, two CableACE awards for Best Talk Show Series, and a Genesis Award for Best Television Talk Show. Maher himself received numerous nominations for his contributions to the show, including 10 Emmy nominations, two TV Guide nominations, and two Writers Guild nominations. However, following controversial comments made shortly after the September 11 attacks, “Politically Incorrect” experienced a significant loss of advertising revenue as companies like FedEx and Sears Roebuck withdrew their support. Consequently, ABC decided not to renew Maher’s contract, leading to the show’s cancellation on June 16, 2002.
“Real Time with Bill Maher” and Other Ventures
In 2003, Maher launched “Real Time with Bill Maher” on HBO, where he serves as host, co-producer, and co-writer. The show, which premiered its 18th season on January 19, 2020, follows a similar format to “Politically Incorrect” but tends to feature fewer celebrities and more experts, such as journalists, professors, and politicians, to discuss topical subjects. “Real Time” has enjoyed considerable success and longevity, earning numerous nominations, including more than 10 Primetime Emmy Awards and six Writers Guild Awards.
Maher has received over 40 Emmy Award nominations throughout his career, winning once for Outstanding Informational Series or Special for “Vice” (which he executive produced) in 2014. In 2005, he was ranked #38 on Comedy Central’s list of the 100 Greatest Stand-Up Comedians of All Time. In September 2010, he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, solidifying his place in entertainment history.
In addition to his own shows, Maher has frequently appeared as a political commentator on various cable news networks. He has been a regular guest on “The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer” on CNN and “Hardball with Chris Matthews” and “The Rachel Maddow Show” on MSNBC. He also served as an executive producer for the HBO series “Vice” and collaborated with director Larry Charles on the documentary film “Religulous” (2008). Furthermore, he has released nine comedy specials with HBO, two of which received Emmy Award nominations, and has toured extensively throughout the United States performing stand-up comedy.
In March 2022, Maher launched his podcast “Club Random,” featuring one-on-one interviews with guests at his home bar, focusing on topics beyond politics. The podcast allows him to explore a wider range of subjects and engage in more personal conversations.
New York Mets Investment and Personal Life
In 2012, Maher invested in a minority stake in the New York Mets. His 4% ownership share cost approximately $20 million at the time. When billionaire hedge fund manager Steve Cohen acquired the Mets in 2020 for $2.4 billion, the net purchase amount, excluding $350 million in debt, was roughly $2 billion. This transaction resulted in an $80 million payout for Bill Maher, reflecting a significant return on his initial investment. This lucrative investment is a major contributor to Bill Maher’s net worth.
Maher has never been married. In 2003, he entered a relationship with former Playboy Cyber Girl Coco Johnsen, which lasted for 17 months. Following their breakup, Johnsen filed a $9 million lawsuit against Maher, citing “pain and suffering” and alleging that he had promised to marry her. The lawsuit was ultimately dismissed in May 2005. He has also been romantically linked to other women, including best-selling author and former model Karrine Steffans, science educator and journalist Cara Santa Maria, and singer Anjulie Persaud.
Maher actively supports various organizations, serving on the advisory board of Project Reason, which promotes science and secular values, and NORML (The National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws). He has also been a board member of PETA since 1997, advocating for animal rights.
Real Estate Holdings and Bill Maher’s Net Worth
In January 2020, Maher purchased a condo on Catalina Island off the coast of Los Angeles for $1 million. Additionally, he owns a 3.2-acre property in the mountains above Beverly Hills, which he acquired from Ben Affleck in 2003. This property is currently estimated to be worth upwards of $20 million. These real estate holdings contribute significantly to Bill Maher’s net worth.
