NEWS/ Paula Deen Under Fire: How Many Millions Is the N-Word Scandal Going to Cost Her?

Just how much of a hole did Paula Deen dig for herself?

With the Food Network's announcement that it would not be renewing its contract with thePaula's Home Cooking star, along withQVC distancing itself from the celebrity chef and Smithfield Foods cutting ties with her altogether after she admitted to past use of the N-word and other hurtful remarks, it would seem that Deen's culinary empire is currently up in flames.

But her bank account isn't under as much fire as one might think.

WATCH: Paula Deen's video apology

Sure, her ranking as Forbes' No. 4 highest-earning celeb chef is definitely at risk...but all is not lost just yet.

"I would estimate the loss of Food Network and Smithfield to be pretty huge," Forbes staff writer Caleb Melby, who estimates that Deen has taken a post-scandal hit of $3 million to $4.5 million, tells E! News. "The important thing is a ripple effect. Without the Food Network, which is her primary platform for promoting her Smithfield hams and cookbooks and magazines, how is that going to affect the categories that this [loss of exposure] doesn't directly effect?"

According to the magazine, Deen made $4.5 million in 2008 and has been on an upward trajectory every since, banking $17 million in 2012.