The Romantic Reason Bob Barker Never Remarried
Bob Barker and Dorothy Jo Gideon.
Bob Barker was a beloved figure for many generations. As host of The Price is Right, he appeared in millions of households for decades. However, how many of us really know about the home life of the beloved pop-culture icon? After Barker’s death at the age of 99, we are curious to know more about the famous animal-rights advocate, including who his romantic companions were and whether he had any kids. Here is everything you need to know about Bob Barker’s family.
Who was Bob Barker’s wife?
Bob Barker was only married once in his 99 years, to Dorothy Jo Gideon. Back in 1939, a then-15-year-old Barker took his future bride to an Ella Fitzgerald concert and a lifelong love was born. Barker would later go on to describe their relationship thusly: “We fell in love as kids, and we stayed in love.”
Barker and Gideon got married in 1945, when the game-show-host-to-be was 21. They remained married until 1981, when Gideon, then 57, tragically passed away from lung cancer just six months after her diagnosis. A devastated Barker declared he would “never marry again… Dorothy Jo was the love of my life.”
Like her husband, Gideon had worked in the entertainment business, singing in commercials and even appearing on the game show Tattletales alongside Barker.
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How long was Bob Barker married?
Bob Barker was married to the love of his life Dorothy Jo Gideon from 1945 until 1981. The two wed when Barker was just 21 and remained husband-and-wife for 36 years until Gideon’s tragic passing from lung cancer in 1981. In total, the pair had been together since 1939, giving them a 42-year relationship.
Why didn’t Bob Barker get remarried?
Bob Barker never remarried after the death of his first wife, Dorothy Jo Gideon, in 1981. The reason behind this decision was simple (and incredibly romantic): Barker felt he had already married the love of his life.
In 2007, he told Esquire, “For some men, maybe a second or third marriage would work out fine. In my case, I had my marriage and she was the love of my life.”
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Who was Bob Barker’s girlfriend?
Though Bob Barker never remarried following the death of his first and only wife, Dorothy Jo Gideon, he did have another long-term relationship. Barker met Nancy Burnet in 1983, two years after Gideon passed away. The pair would go on to remain companions for the next 40 years.
In Barker’s 2009 book Priceless Memories, he wrote of the relationship, “Our relationship has gone on for twenty-five years, off and on. Mostly on.”
Barker and Burnet first met at an event at an animal shelter in Orange County. That marked the start of not only their relationship but also their shared passion for animal-rights activism. In addition, Barker has also said the pair shared a desire not to get remarried.
Burnet has dedicated the majority of her career to animal advocacy, having founded the United Activists for Animal Rights in 1987.
Following Barker’s passing at the age of 99 after 40 years together, Burnet released the following statement, “I am so proud of the trailblazing work Barker and I did together to expose the cruelty to animals in the entertainment industry ... including working to improve the plight of abused and exploited animals in the United States and internationally.” She added that the two were “great friends” and that her longtime companion “will be missed.”
Related: Bob Barker's Longtime Girlfriend Applauds His 'Trailblazing' Animal Advocacy Following Death
Did Bob Barker have children?
Perhaps surprisingly, Bob Barker did not have any children. Despite having two long-term relationships, the first with his wife of 36 years Dorothy Jo Gideon and the second with his companion of 40 years Nancy Burnet, Barker remained child-free until his death.
Barker and Gideon’s decision to not become parents came from a simple place—they didn’t want them. The couple felt they didn’t have time for them given their busy careers and seemed to be perfectly happy just the two of them.
Barker told Esquire in 2007, “We didn’t have time for children. I don’t regret it, not when so many of my friends are having so much trouble with their children. I have thirteen ducks, and that’s a lot of work.”
Who are the mothers of Bob Barker’s kids?
Bob Barker never had any kids. He did have two longterm relationships, however—first with his wife, Dorothy Jo Gideon, then with his companion of 40 years, Nancy Burnet.
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