Iconic talk show host Sally Jessy Raphael has surprised fans with a fresh look in a series of rare Instagram posts. At 90, the former daytime television star appears relaxed and vibrant as she enjoys her retirement far from the spotlight, delighting longtime followers with glimpses of her daily life.
In the new photos, Sally Jessy Raphael looked nearly unrecognizable from her days on network television. Gone are the studio lights and formal sets—now, she’s savoring boat rides, oysters, and summer afternoons, while keeping her signature red hair and playful spirit.
A Joyful Summer Shared With Fans
In one photo, the former Sally host wore a black-and-white sundress with a green scarf as she posed aboard a boat. Her caption gave a cheerful nod to her loyal fans, writing that she was “serving you sailboat vibes” and calling them her “Raphaelites.” Two more photos showed her wearing a tie-dye shirt with her red hair tied in a ponytail while lounging on a dock, saying, “Hope you’re all enjoying your summer as much as I am.”
She also shared a moment from a getaway in New England, joking while enjoying oysters: “Aren’t these supposed to be an aphrodisiac?!” According to Page Six, Raphael has even posted from Paris earlier this year, leaning out a window to admire the City of Lights.
Reflecting On Life At 90
Though no longer on air, Sally Jessy Raphael remains a beloved name in television history. Her talk show aired from 1983 to 2002 and earned her a Daytime Emmy in 1989. Off-screen, she endured both great love and loss—her husband, Karl Soderlund, passed away in 2020 after 57 years of marriage, and her daughter Allison died in 1992.
In a March interview, Raphael reflected on aging, noting, “It’s really interesting being 90,” and laughing about how people still compliment her on looking young. “Why they think looking young when you can claim 90 is beyond me,” she said. Still, she embraces this new phase of life with humor: “You’re cute when you’re young… and then when you get to be 80 or 90, you’re cute again.”