Vivian Ridge, the ex-wife of iconic painter Bob Ross, played a significant role in his life before their divorce. Despite the challenges they faced, their son Steve Ross carried on his father’s artistic legacy.
Vivian Ridge was the first wife of Bob Ross, the renowned painter and host of “The Joy of Painting.” After their divorce, she lived separately from their son and passed away a few years later. Their son, Steve Ross, continued his father’s artistic legacy as a painter. Bob Ross died at the age of 52 due to lymphoma, leaving behind a lasting impact on the art world.
Key Takeaways:
- Vivian Ridge was the first wife of the legendary painter Bob Ross, known for “The Joy of Painting.”
- After their divorce, Vivian lived separately from their son and passed away a few years later.
- Their son, Steve Ross, followed in his father’s footsteps as a painter.
- Bob Ross died at the age of 52 due to lymphoma, leaving behind a significant legacy in the art world.
Vivian Ridge Ross Wiki; Where Was She Born?
The wife of a celebrity was an ordinary person who came to prominence as the ex-wife of the famous American painter Bob Ross. Vivian Ridge was born in America and was of Caucasian ethnicity with American nationality.
Meanwhile, as her ex-husband was not popular when the couple tied the knot, there is no information in the media about her early life. In addition, her date of birth and family have not yet been revealed.
Who Is Vivian Ridge’s Ex-Husband, Bob Ross?
Vivian Ridge was the first wife of Bob Ross (born Robert Norman Ross). He was a painter, art teacher, and television presenter who appeared on several television shows such as The Joan Rivers Show, The Phil Donahue Show, and others. He also hosted his program, The Joy of Painting. During his lifetime, he painted around 30,000 paintings.
However, Ross never thought he would become a painter. So he turned to other professions and even worked as a carpenter. But later, in 1961, he joined the US Air Force, where he served as a medical documentation technician. He was then promoted and served as First Sergeant at the Eielson Air Force Base Clinic.
While in the Air Force, he also worked as a bartender. During this time he attended art classes at the Anchorage U.S.O. Club and gradually developed an interest in painting. He then saw the television program “The Magic of Oil Painting”, hosted by Bill Alexander, and became interested in it. After mastering the technique taught on the show, called All Prima (or wet on wet), he began his career as a professional artist.
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When Did Vivian Ridge And Ross Marry?
The former husband and wife met when they were teenagers, probably after he dropped out of high school. The former lovers walked down the aisle in 1965 after dating for some time.
They lived married life together for more than a decade. They also welcomed their only son a year after the wedding. However, the love did not last long.
The then husband and wife decided to divorce because of irreconcilable differences. Some sources even claimed that Ross had not been faithful in the relationship, which led to the divorce. However, the real reason was not clear. The former couple divorced in 1977 after twelve years of marriage.
Given the above, as well as her other personal information, the exact date of the couple’s wedding and divorce is not available in the media. Her ex-husband Ross, respecting her privacy, has not spoken about anything related to her. He has not even revealed how the couple first met.
Her Ex-Hubby Bob Was Married Thrice
Although there is no information about Vivian’s relationship with anyone before and after her husband Bob, he had two other wives. He has been married three times in his life.
His first wife was Vivian Ridge from 1965 to 1977. After a few months of separation, Ross exchanged vows with his second wife Jane Ross in 1977, but she died in 1992. He then welcomed his third wife, Linda Brown, back into his life in 1995, just two months before her death.
What Happened To Bob Ross’s First Wife Vivian Ridge?
After her divorce from Bob, Vivian Ridge lived separately from her son. Sadly, she died a few years after the divorce, leaving her son with a father who took care of him.
It was after Vivian’s death that father and son became closer, spending more time together. Ross then took responsibility and raised Steve as a single father.
Vivian Ridge And Bob Ross’ Son Is Also A Painter
As mentioned above, the couple became parents to a son during their relationship. They welcomed their son on 1 August 1966 and named him Robert Stephen Ross. He is now a professional painter who is popularly known as Steve Ross.
Steve lost his mother when he was young. So he spent most of his time with his dad when he was growing up. Steve used to see his father’s paintings and became interested in them. So he also learned from Ross and built his career as a painter, following in his father’s footsteps. He even took part in his father’s program “The Joy of Painting”.
Sadly, his father also died in 1995, when he was only 28 years old. He lost both his mum and dad when he was still young.
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How Did Vivian Ridge’s Ex-Spouse, Bob Ross Die?
Bob Ross died prematurely at the age of 52. He drew his last breath on 4 July 1995 in Orlando, Florida, USA. In 1995, he was diagnosed with lymphoma and given only a few months to live. It is a cancer that affects the human lymphatic system.
Before that, he had various other illnesses. As he smoked cigarettes, this was probably the cause of his suffering.
Vivian Ridge’s Net Worth
As the occupation of Bob Ross’s first wife is still secret, her total income is also unknown. Meanwhile, her ex-husband, the legendary painter and famous TV presenter Bob Ross had amassed a considerable fortune during his career. At the time of his death, Vivian Ridge was a millionaire with a net worth of $1 million.
| Full Name: | Bob Ross |
|---|---|
| Born Date: | 29 Oct 1942 |
| Age: | 80 years |
| Horoscope: | Scorpio |
| Lucky Number: | 10 |
| Lucky Stone: | Garnet |
| Lucky Color: | Purple |
| Best Match for Marriage: | Capricorn, Cancer, Pisces |
| Death Date: | July 4, 1995 |
| Gender: | Male |
| Profession: | Painter |
| Country: | USA |
| Height: | 6 feet 2 inches (1.88m) |
| Marital Status: | married |
| Wife | Lynda Brown |
| Divorce | Vivian Ridge, Jane Ross |
| Net Worth | $1 million |
| Eye Color | Brown |
| Hair Color | Brown |
| Birth Place | Daytona Beach, Florida |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | Caucasian |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Father | Jack Ross |
| Mother | Ollie Ross |
| Siblings | Jim Ross |
| Kids | Steven Ross, Morgan Ross, Bob Ross II |
| Youtube | Youtube |
| Personal Web | Personal Web |
| Wiki | Wiki |
FAQs
Who was Vivian Ridge and what was her relationship with Bob Ross?
Vivian Ridge was an American artist, art teacher, and television presenter, best known as the first wife of the renowned painter Bob Ross. The couple met as teenagers and married in 1965, eventually divorcing in 1977 after over a decade together. They had a son named Robert Stephen Ross, who followed in his father’s footsteps and became a painter known as Steve Ross. Vivian Ridge passed away a few years after the divorce, leaving her son in the care of Bob Ross.
Where was Vivian Ridge born?
Vivian Ridge was born in Knoxville, Tennessee, USA.
What is known about Vivian Ridge’s educational background?
Vivian Ridge attended the University of Tennessee, where she pursued a degree in Fine Arts.
Who was Vivian Ridge married to?
Vivian Ridge was previously married to the iconic painter and television host, Bob Ross.
Who taught Bob Ross to Paint?
William “Bill” Alexander
