Iconic Talk Show Host Sally Jessy Raphael, 90, Appears Unrecognizable in Rare Photos After Her Retirement

Decades after leaving television, the retired TV anchor is turning heads again — this time through rare Instagram photos showing her enjoying oysters in New England and relaxing aboard a sailboat, far from the studio lights she once commanded.

Sally Jessy Raphael, the former talk show host known for her trademark red glasses and decades-long career in daytime television, recently shared new photos that sparked a wave of reactions from fans. At 90 years old, Raphael made a rare appearance on Instagram, offering a glimpse into her retired life.

In a post dated July 25, 2025, Raphael was pictured aboard a sailboat. She wore a black-and-white patterned dress paired with dark sandals.

Her signature red hair was partially covered with a colorful scarf, and she sported oversized sunglasses. The photo captured a relaxed moment at sea, with musicians playing live instruments in the background.

In another post from July 16, Raphael was seen enjoying a plate of oysters at a restaurant in New England. She wore a patterned top, accessorized with a turquoise necklace and gold earrings. Holding an oyster near her mouth, she appeared mid-bite.

Reactions to her posts were swift and mixed, with several followers sharing candid comments. One person wrote, "I never would have recognized her."

Another commented, "You look Marvelous [sic]!" A different commenter added, "Time to change the hair and color [sic]." Yet another netizen simply reacted with "OMG."

Raphael, who rose to prominence in the 1980s with her nationally syndicated talk show, has largely stayed out of the public eye since her retirement. These recent photos mark a rare and personal update from the veteran broadcaster, who still connects with her fans through social media.

Though her appearance has evolved with time, the former talk show host continues to share glimpses of her life, reminding followers of her lasting presence.

In reflecting on her long career, Raphael’s talk show came to an end in 2002 after a 19-year run. "She really wanted to make it to her 20th anniversary," a friend said at the time.

Producers had informed her that the show "Sally," which held the record as the longest-running syndicated talk show on television at the time, would be canceled the following month.

The decision came after WNBC/Ch. 4 dropped the show from its lineup, removing its key New York market.

"The show has shown a steady decline in ratings — that's obvious," stated Studios USA president Steve Rosenberg. "We were all hoping, clinging on to the idea that maybe the next [ratings] book would be the one to stabilize the show. But that just never happened."

Changes to the set, format, and producers had been made in hopes of boosting ratings, but they proved unsuccessful.

Speaking to The Post, Raphael expressed her disappointment. "Steve Rosenberg, president of Studios USA, called at home to say I'm through. No explanation. No warning. Just plain told me it's over April 25, one week and one month short of my 20th year. I don't even get that milestone."

Despite the abrupt ending, Raphael added, "It has been important to me to tackle topics that are meaningful and in good taste... It has been a real privilege to have the opportunity to be in so many homes for such a long time."

The show, which began as a local program in St. Louis in 1983, quickly gained national attention and became a staple of daytime television.

Raphael's media career began much earlier, with roles as a foreign correspondent for UPI and AP in Europe and Central America, and later as a TV personality in Puerto Rico. She also hosted a nighttime radio program on NBC and ABC radio networks before moving to television.

Today, Raphael continues to reflect on her journey. In a May 2025 interview with People magazine marking her 90th birthday, she described a recent trip to Paris with close friends.

"We went to Paris, my favorite city. And I went to my old haunts. I won't tell you what they are because then they'd be everybody's old haunts," she said with a laugh.

The trip was part of a celebration of her milestone birthday. "We went to two or three museums and not much shopping. I was with two women. Actually, I should have gone with a man because it's romantic, but I went with two women. So it was good," she expressed.

She also shared thoughts on aging and appearance. "It's really interesting being 90 because if you dye your hair and you don't have any veins in your legs, then people say you look young. And that's always nice that people say, although why they think looking young when you can claim 90 is beyond me, but they think it's a compliment."

Acknowledging the shift in how age is perceived, she revealed, "I think that it has to do with the word 'cute.' You're cute when you're young, and then for a long time, you're not cute. And then when you get to be 80 or 90, you're cute again. People always say, 'That cute old lady,' so I guess I'm cute again."

From television icon to world traveler, Raphael continues to navigate life with candor and resilience — offering rare glimpses that bring fans back to the woman who once filled their screens.