That is the question.

There was no merchandising of his show. Plus it was on PBS which had no commercials. Did Fred Rogers make his salary from contributors of PBS? He was on the show for decades so he made a good living from it, but how?

PBS would still have money to pay salary of their stars. Viewer contributions are not their only source of revenue, PBS has gotten federal tax money from the US government, possibly for all of their existence.

At the end of his show, there's a list of "Sponsors" who donated money for the production of Mister Roger's Neighborhood.

I think Sears-Roebuck was one and another was a "grant" from some quasi-public agency- Sorry I can't think of it.

I don't think Fred Rogers enjoyed a Joel Osteen lifestyle. He seemed to be humble when meeting and talking with people. A real salt of the earth kind of person.