Vivian Ridge: Bob Ross’ First Wife | Personal Life, Dead or Alive?

For decades, the mystery of Vivian Ridge has persisted, causing many to wonder about her fate.

As Bob Ross’s first wife, she remained a quiet, nearly unnoticed figure, even though she was part of the famous artist’s life.

Some believe she died many years ago, while others say she lived much longer, quietly fighting illness.

Who was the woman behind the name? Here’s everything, the details of her personal life, a clearer yet still puzzling picture comes forward—one that finally answers long-standing questions.

Vivian Ridge Quick Facts

Is Vivian Ridge Alive or Dead?

Vivian Ridge is dead. She passed away in the late 80s, many years after divorcing her husband, Bob Ross.

However, some say that Ridge died in 2018 after a long fight with cancer.

Who is Vivian Ridge? Wiki, Age, Family

Vivian Ridge, the former wife of the famous American painter Bob Ross, was born on July 24, 1946, in Wake Forest, North Carolina, USA.

Although she became known through her marriage to Bob Ross, Vivian lived a quiet life and rarely discussed her personal details.

She chose to keep much about her family, including her parents’ names and whereabouts, private.

Similarly, Vivian seldom mentioned her siblings or shared details about her early years in her hometown.

Since she became known primarily for her marriage to Bob Ross, the media rarely reveals or covers details about Vivian’s early life and family background.

Vivian, an American citizen, was Caucasian.

However, because Bob Ross had not become very famous when they married, public records contain little information about Vivian’s early life.

Furthermore, she has kept specific details about her birthdate and family private.

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How Did Bob Ross and Vivian Ridge Meet?

Bob and Vivian reportedly met in 1961 while working at Pittsburgh’s WQED-TV.

At that time, Bob was part of the creative team, and Vivian worked in production.

Another claim suggests that they first met in high school and reconnected later when Bob served in the US Air Force.

Since neither Bob nor Vivian has clearly confirmed the details, we cannot determine which story is true.

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Bob Ross and His Wife Vivian Ridge

After getting married in 1965, Bob and Vivian moved to New York and spent more than a decade together.

Roughly a year after their wedding, they welcomed their only son.

However, despite the love they once shared, their relationship slowly fell apart. In 1977, Vivian reportedly accused Bob of cheating, which led to their eventual separation.

We still do not know the exact reasons for their split, and many fans who saw Bob Ross as a kind-hearted person found it hard to believe the claims about his loyalty.

Vivian and Bob Ross’ Children

They had one son, Robert Stephen Ross, who came into the world on August 1, 1966.

He followed in his father’s footsteps and became a professional painter. He spent most of his childhood with his father.

When Steve first saw his father’s paintings, he became very interested in art and later chose it as his career.

Why Did Bob Ross and Vivian Ridge Divorce?

After more than 12 years of marriage, the couple divorced after many accused Bob of cheating.

They did not provide any further reasons or details.

They managed the divorce quietly, and they kept additional information out of the public eye.

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Bob Ross and Vivian’s Son: Steve Ross

Bob Ross and Vivian Ridge became parents to their only son, Robert Stephen (Steve) Ross, on August 1, 1966. Steve is 59 years old.

Following his father’s example, Steve became a professional painter.

Growing up, he spent most of his time with his father, and Bob’s artwork inspired his interest in painting.

His journey began when he started learning the art of painting under his father’s guidance, even making appearances on his father’s show, “The Joy of Painting.”

During one episode, Bob Ross described Steve as a lifelong, passionate painter and teacher.

Steve’s talent shone when he sold his first painting at the age of 12.

Later, as a painting teacher in California, he shared his love for art and especially enjoyed painting mountains.

Steve Went Into Depression

Bob Ross’s death deeply affected Steve, sending him into a severe depression.

Steve slowly recovered and decided to dedicate his life to art. Although he stayed out of the public eye for a long time, he continued his work quietly.

Currently, Steve Ross works with his business partner, Dana Jester, hosting workshops and demonstrations.

In 2021, he gained public attention with the documentary “Bob Ross: Happy Accidents, Betrayal, and Greed,” which provided new insights into Bob Ross’s life and career.

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Who Was Bob Ross?

Robert Norman Ross, known as Bob Ross, became an American painter, art teacher, and television host.

He entered the world on October 29, 1942, in Daytona Beach, Florida, USA.

Jack, a carpenter, and Ollie Ross, a waitress, brought Bob into the world, and he also had a half-brother named Jim Ross.

He left high school to help his father in the carpentry shop, so he did not finish his studies.

However, his love for painting started during his time in the military.

While stationed in Alaska, he saw the beautiful icy landscapes that inspired his lifelong art. Bob Ross created around 30,000 paintings during his life.

In addition to his art, Bob appeared on TV shows such as “The Joan Rivers Show” and “The Phil Donahue Show.”

Sadly, Bob Ross passed away on July 4, 1995, in Orlando, Florida, after a long battle with lymphoma.

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Why Everyone Likes Bob Ross?

Bob Ross, a respected and loved American painter, became popular for his unique style and positive philosophy.

His show “The Joy of Painting,” which started on PBS in 1983, became a major event in art instruction on television.

Many people recognized Bob Ross for his famous quote, “We don’t make mistakes; we have happy accidents.”

His encouraging words and calm nature created an atmosphere of joy and inspiration, making him a beloved figure in art.

Bob Ross’s calm and inspiring personality shone through his painting lessons. He not only taught art techniques but also shared simple life lessons and advice.

Even when he used dark colors in his work, he would say, “We need dark so we can show light,” stressing the value of contrast and perspective.

Beyond art, Bob Ross’s influence extended into other areas. In 2017, a Deadpool movie trailer humorously mimicked Bob’s style, and audiences loved it.

You can check out the video here.

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Bob Ross Married Three Times

Bob Ross married three times. After divorcing Vivian, he found love again and married Jane Ross in the same year.

Bob and Jane met during his military service when she worked as a secretary at the Air Force base.

Their relationship grew quickly, and they married in 1977. They did not have any children together.

Unfortunately, doctors diagnosed Jane with cancer in 1992, and she died later that year, leaving Bob very sad.

Bob Ross married Lynda Brown as his third wife. However, around the time of their wedding, Bob’s health declined because of lymphoma.

Only two months into their marriage, Bob died, and Lynda became a widow.

We have little information about Bob Ross’s personal life and relationships; only a few interviews with his close friends and family appear in the 2011 PBS documentary “Bob Ross: The Happy Painter.”

It is important to note that Bob Ross’s family and Bob Ross Inc. destroyed some details as part of a legal settlement.

Bob Has a Son Named Jimmie Cox

Few people know that Bob Ross has another son named Jimmie Cox. In fact, Jimmie is Bob’s firstborn.

Bob welcomed Jimmie when he was just a teenager. Currently, people do not know who Jimmie’s mother is.

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Bob Ross’s Net Worth

At the time of his death, Bob Ross left behind a net worth of $1 million, which included his estate valued at $1.3 million.

After Bob Ross died, Bob Ross, Inc. (BRI) acquired the rights to his intellectual property. His son, Steve, did not receive any money from this deal.

He filed a lawsuit, claiming that his father had never meant to give up control and pointing to a clause in his will that granted Steve and his half-brother, Jimmie Cox, rights to his name, image, and recorded work.

Steve and Jimmie argued that Bob Ross intended to give them art-related rights, such as a line of paints or licensed training courses based on his technique.

They also claimed that Steve owned important assets, including the episodes.

Unfortunately, Steve lost the case. Despite the loss, the lawsuit motivated Steve to move forward and create a business under his own name.