Net Worth Ranker
What Is Melissa Rivers’ Net Worth?
Melissa Rivers, an American actress, television host, and producer, boasts a substantial net worth of $100 million. This considerable wealth is derived from a multifaceted career in the entertainment industry and a significant inheritance from her mother, the iconic comedian Joan Rivers.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Melissa Warburg Rosenberg, later known as Melissa Rivers, was born on January 20, 1968, in New York City. She is the only child of Joan Rivers and film and television producer Edgar Rosenberg. Her upbringing in Los Angeles included attendance at prestigious schools such as the John Thomas Dye School, Marlborough School, and The Buckley School. She pursued higher education at the University of Pennsylvania, earning a history degree in 1989. In 1990, she formally adopted her mother’s stage name, solidifying her identity as Melissa Rivers.
Her career in entertainment took off in the 1990s, marked by appearances on television shows such as “Beverly Hills, 90210,” “Silk Stalkings,” and “The Comeback.” She shared the screen with her mother in the docudrama “Tears and Laughter: The Joan and Melissa Rivers Story” (1994) and secured roles in films like “Men in White” (1998) and “The Big Tease” (1999). Melissa also gained experience as a red-carpet interviewer, covering nationally televised award shows, and worked as a host and producer for the E! Network, hosting specials such as “Oh Baby! Melissa’s Guide to Pregnancy” and “Oh Toddler! Surviving the Early Years.”
Melissa and Joan’s red-carpet presence became a signature aspect of their careers, leading them to a lucrative deal with the “TV Guide” Channel valued between $6 million and $8 million in 2003. In 2013, she collaborated with her mother on Joan’s YouTube web series “In Bed With Joan,” where Melissa co-produced and conducted interviews. In 2015, Melissa became a co-host on “Fashion Police.”
“Fashion Police” and Production Career
Melissa’s role as co-host of E!’s “Fashion Police,” particularly alongside her mother from 2002 to 2015, significantly contributed to her visibility and earnings. Prior to her co-hosting position, the mother-daughter duo were well-known for hosting E!’s red carpet coverage at major award shows, delivering their signature quick-witted commentary and fashion critiques. Her involvement extended beyond on-screen appearances, as she served as executive producer of “Fashion Police” and produced the reality show “Joan & Melissa: Joan Knows Best?” which aired from 2011 to 2014. After Joan Rivers’s death in 2014, Melissa assumed the role of executive producer, steering the show through its transition.
Inheritance from Joan Rivers
Upon Joan Rivers’s passing in 2014, Melissa inherited a substantial portion of her mother’s estate. Reports in late October 2014 indicated that Melissa was set to inherit over $100 million. Sources confirmed that this inheritance included $75 million in cash and Joan’s $35 million New York City condo. This inheritance forms a significant part of Melissa Rivers’s net worth.
Real Estate Investments
Melissa Rivers has engaged in several real estate transactions. In 1998, she purchased a home in LA’s Pacific Palisades neighborhood for $2.35 million. She later sold this property in July 2019 for $5.223 million, after initially listing it for $6.2 million about a year prior. Additionally, in July 2015, she oversaw the sale of her mother’s longtime New York City penthouse for $28 million.
In March 2016, Melissa acquired a home in Santa Monica, California, for $11 million. She sold this property in March 2021 for $15.5 million. Shortly after this sale, she purchased a new home in Pacific Palisades for $7.8 million. Unfortunately, this home was destroyed in the 2025 Palisades Fire. The profits made from her real estate investments have increased Melissa Rivers’ net worth.
Personal Life and Relationships
Melissa’s personal life includes a marriage to horse trainer John Endicott in December 1988. Their wedding at the Plaza Hotel in New York City was estimated to have cost $3 million. They share a son, Edgar Cooper Endicott, born in 2000. The couple divorced in 2003. From 2008 to 2011, Melissa was in a relationship with sports coach Jason Zimmerman, and she has been dating talent agent Mark Rousso since 2015.
Melissa filed a malpractice case against Yorkville Endoscopy, the New York clinic, and its doctors following Joan Rivers’s death after a routine procedure in 2014. An undisclosed settlement was reached in 2016.
Author and Advocate
Beyond her on-screen and production work, Melissa Rivers has authored several books. These include “Red Carpet Ready: Secrets for Making the Most of Any Moment You’re in the Spotlight” (2010) and “The Book of Joan: Tales of Mirth, Mischief, and Manipulation” (2015), a memoir about her mother. Her work as an author adds to her income streams. She is also an avid animal rights advocate and supporter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation and has appeared on game shows, such as “Celebrity Apprentice” and “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire,” to raise money for charities.
