Ex-Daytime TV hosts’ real estate moves and fortunes revealed

They spent decades commanding the attention of millions every afternoon, arbitrating frantic paternity tests, refereeing chair-throwing brawls and handing out free cars. Behind the studio lights of US daytime television lay staggering personal fortunes, bitter boardroom sackings and impressive real estate plays. From private islands to quiet coastal retreats, this is how daytime television’s most iconic hosts built their wealth and where they retreated when the cameras stopped rolling. Ricki Lake Estimated net worth: $US20m ($28m) At just 24, Ricki Lake became the youngest person to front a syndicated US talk show, running a youth-oriented ratings powerhouse from 1993 to 2004. The TV personality walked away from the show after watching the September 11 terrorist attacks from the roof of her New York apartment. The actress decided on the spot to up-end her life and relocate to the West Coast. “I could have done it for probably a decade longer,” Lake revealed. “I made that choice. 9/11 was a huge trajectory shift in my life. “Every aspect of my life changed from witnessing that experience that day from my West Village apartment.” MORE: ‘Hell’: Duran Duran star exposes sad demise ‘Emp...