Hasselbeck attended St. Mary School in Cranston and graduated from St. Mary Academy – Bay View. She later attended Boston College, where she excelled in athletics, captaining the women’s softball team. She earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 1999 and, during her college years, interned with Puma, where she continued working after graduation.

Rise to Fame: Survivor and Early Television Career

Elisabeth Hasselbeck first gained national attention in 2001 as a contestant on the reality television series Survivor: The Australian Outback. She was voted off in the fifth episode but became a fan favorite for her resilience and personality. Although invited to participate in Survivor: All-Stars, she declined the opportunity to return to the show.

The View and Daytime Emmy Recognition

In 2003, Hasselbeck auditioned for and was selected as a co-host on the daytime talk show The View. Known for her conservative viewpoints, she frequently engaged in on-air debates concerning political and social issues. Notable discussions included topics such as the Food and Drug Administration’s policies, U.S. involvement in the Iran War, and commentary on Hillary Clinton’s foreign policies and the American stance on terrorism. While some critics claimed her perspectives were divisive, many viewers appreciated her candid style, leading to a significant fan following.

Her contributions to the show earned her and her co-hosts the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Talk Show Host in 2009, following their role in hosting the 36th Daytime Emmy Awards that same year.