Bob Ross’ ex-wife Vivian Ridge Biography: Age, Parents, Siblings, Net Worth, Husband, Children, Cause of Death

Vivian Ridge was an American artist who became famous as the first wife of the renowned painter and art instructor Bob Ross.

Bob Ross, whose full name was Robert Norman Ross, was an iconic figure in the art world, best known for creating and hosting the popular instructional television program “The Joy of Painting,” which aired from 1983 to 1994 on PBS in the United States, CBC in Canada, and similar channels in Latin America, Europe, and other parts of the world.

Profile

• Full Name: Vivian Ridge
• Stage Name: Vivian Ridge
• Born: July 2, 1946
• Date of death: 2018 (Age: 78 years old)
• Birthplace: Winston-Salem, North Carolina, United States
• Nationality: American
• Occupation: Artist
• Height: unknown
• Parent: unknown
• Siblings: unknown
• Spouse: Bob Ross (m. 1965–1977)
• Children: Robert Stephen Ross
• Relationship: Divorced
• Net Worth: Unknown

Early Life And Education

Vivian Ridge was born on July 2, 1946, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, United States. While details about her upbringing and family are not publicly known, it is likely that she was raised by her parents and had siblings, as is typical for individuals born during that period in the region.

Vivian attended Wake Forest University, earning a degree in art history. Her ethnicity was white, and her religious affiliation was Christianity.

Career

Vivian Ridge has been passionate about art since she could first pick up a pencil and begin sketching. However, her career has been overshadowed by her ex-husband’s.

About her ex-husband Bob Ross, Bob Ross’s career path was unique and inspiring, transitioning from a military background to becoming a renowned painter and television personality.

After serving 20 years in the U.S. Air Force, Ross discovered his passion for painting while stationed in Alaska. He was inspired by a television program hosted by Bill Alexander.

This led him to master the wet-on-wet painting technique, which became a hallmark of his distinctive style and facilitated his transition to a full-time career in art.

In 1983, Ross launched his acclaimed instructional television series, “The Joy of Painting,” which aired on PBS for 11 years. Each episode featured Ross completing a painting within half an hour, using simple tools and a limited color palette.

His approachable teaching style and memorable phrases, such as “happy little trees,” resonated with millions of viewers, making art accessible to the general public. Throughout the show’s run, Ross recorded over 400 episodes, cementing his status as a beloved figure in American culture.

Beyond his television success, Ross built a thriving business through Bob Ross Inc., selling art supplies, instructional books, and videos. His legacy inspires new generations of artists, with his work and teachings accessible through digital platforms and a wide range of merchandise.

Although Ross passed away from lymphoma on July 4, 1995, his influence on art education and popular culture endures. This is a testament to his remarkable career transition and the lasting impact he had on the art world.

Social Media

Vivian Ridge does not have a social media account.

Personal Life

Vivian Ridge married the renowned painter and television personality Bob Ross from 1965 until their divorce in 1977. They had one son, Robert Stephen Ross, born in 1966.

Their son, known professionally as Steve Ross, is also a painter and occasionally appeared on his father’s popular television series, The Joy of Painting. After her divorce from Bob Ross in 1977, Vivian Ridge went on to live a private life. She passed away several years later in 2018.

Net Worth

Vivian Ridge, the former wife of renowned American painter Bob Ross, is a television personality who has maintained a relatively low profile throughout her lifetime.

While her ex-husband, Bob Ross, had accumulated a net worth of $1 million by his passing in 1995, Vivian Ridge’s net worth during her lifetime remained largely unknown to the media.