Vivian Ridge: What Happened to Bob Ross’ First Wife?

Vivian Ridge was an American artist best known as the first wife of famous painter and television art instructor Bob Ross. She gained public attention because of her marriage to Ross, who later became widely recognized for hosting The Joy of Painting. Vivian also had her own interest in art and reportedly began painting when she was young. Her relationship with Bob lasted for more than a decade, and they had one son, Robert Stephen Ross, commonly known as Steve Ross. In this article, we explore Vivian Ridge’s early life, education, interest in painting, marriage to Bob Ross, divorce, son, later years, and death.

Quick Bio

Who Was Vivian Ridge?

Vivian Ridge was an American artist who became widely known through her relationship with Bob Ross. Although Bob later developed a huge following through his television work and paintings, Vivian generally lived away from that level of public attention. She was from Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and developed an interest in art at an early age. Her connection with painting was more than simply being married to a famous artist. She reportedly started painting as a hobby when she was around 12 years old. Vivian later studied Art History at Wake Forest University, showing that art remained an important part of her education and personal interests. Her marriage to Bob Ross eventually made her a recognizable name among people interested in the painter’s private and family life.

Vivian Ridge’s Early Life and Education

Vivian Ridge was born in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, in the United States. She had American nationality and Caucasian ethnic roots. Her early years were closely connected with her growing interest in art. Vivian reportedly started painting when she was only 12 years old, initially treating it as a hobby. This early passion eventually became an important part of her education. She attended Wake Forest University, where she pursued Art History. Studying this subject allowed her to develop a deeper understanding of art beyond simply creating paintings. Vivian did not become as publicly famous for painting as Bob Ross later did, but her background shows that she had a genuine connection with the artistic world. Much of the attention surrounding her life eventually came from her marriage and family.

Vivian Ridge’s Career and Love for Art

Vivian Ridge was an artist, and her interest in painting started many years before she became known as Bob Ross’ wife. Beginning to paint at around age 12 gave her an early connection to creativity. Her decision to study Art History at Wake Forest University also reflected her long-standing interest in the subject. Unlike Bob Ross, Vivian did not build a highly visible television career around her artistic work. Bob eventually became one of the most recognizable television painting instructors, while Vivian maintained a much quieter profile. Her life nevertheless remained connected with art through her education, profession, marriage, and family. Their son Steve also followed an artistic path and became a painter and instructor. This made painting an important connection across different members of the Ridge and Ross family.

Vivian Ridge and Bob Ross’ Relationship

Vivian Ridge is primarily remembered as Bob Ross’ first wife. Details about exactly when or where Vivian and Bob first met are limited, but the pair developed a romantic relationship before deciding to marry. They exchanged wedding vows in 1965. At that point, Bob had already joined the United States Air Force and was building a military career that would last about 20 years. Vivian and Bob remained married for approximately 12 years. Their relationship attracted greater interest as Bob’s name became associated with painting. However, their marriage did not last permanently. The couple separated and divorced in 1977. Their relationship remains an important part of Bob Ross’ personal history because Vivian was his first wife and the mother of his only known son, Robert Stephen Ross.

Why Vivian Ridge and Bob Ross Divorced

Vivian Ridge and Bob Ross ended their marriage in 1977 after spending more than a decade together. Their divorce has been linked to allegations of infidelity involving Bob. The separation brought an end to a marriage that had started in 1965 and produced their son, Steve Ross. After their divorce, Vivian and Bob went in different directions with their lives. Bob later married Jane Lee Zanardelli, with whom he remained for approximately 15 years until her death from cancer in 1992. Bob eventually married Lynda Brown in 1995, only a short time before his own death. Vivian, meanwhile, lived separately after the divorce and cared for her son for a period. Despite the end of their marriage, Vivian remained connected to Bob Ross’ story through their child and shared history.

Vivian Ridge and Bob Ross’ Son

Vivian Ridge and Bob Ross welcomed one child during their marriage. Their son, Robert Stephen Ross, better known as Steve Ross, was born on 1 August 1966. Steve inherited his parents’ connection with art and became a painter himself. He became particularly associated with the wet-on-wet painting technique that his father famously demonstrated. Steve also became a certified painting instructor. His artistic career strengthened the connection between generations of the family, as both of his parents had an interest in art. Steve occasionally appeared alongside his father and became familiar to fans of Bob Ross’ work. After Vivian died, Steve was left in his father’s care. His continuing work as an artist has helped keep the Ross family’s connection with painting alive long after his parents’ deaths.

Who Was Vivian Ridge’s Former Husband Bob Ross?

Bob Ross was an American painter, art instructor, television personality, and former member of the United States Air Force. Before becoming famous for painting, he worked with his father as a carpenter. In 1961, at 18 years old, Bob enlisted in the Air Force and initially worked as a medical records technician. His career later took him to Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska, where he became a master sergeant. During his approximately 20-year military career, Bob developed a stronger interest in painting after attending an art class. He eventually retired from the Air Force in 1981 and concentrated on art. His calm teaching style and painting techniques later made him famous, especially through the television program The Joy of Painting.

Bob Ross’ Painting and Television Career

Bob Ross developed a remarkably productive painting career and is said to have created around 30,000 paintings during his lifetime. His television work introduced his artistic techniques to a much larger audience. He became best known as the host of The Joy of Painting, a television series associated with PBS that taught viewers how to create landscape paintings. Bob became especially recognized for the wet-on-wet painting method, which allowed artists to complete paintings relatively quickly. His gentle speaking style also became a major part of his television identity. In addition to his own painting program, Bob appeared on other television shows, including The Phil Donahue Show and The Joan Rivers Show. His television career eventually made his name internationally recognizable and gave his work a lasting cultural presence.

Vivian Ridge’s Life After Her Divorce

Following her 1977 divorce from Bob Ross, Vivian Ridge stepped away from the relationship that had made her publicly recognizable. She lived separately with their son, Steve, for a period after the marriage ended. Unlike Bob, Vivian did not build a major public profile through television or entertainment. Her later life therefore remained considerably quieter. She eventually returned to or lived in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, which is also listed as her place of residence at the time of her death. Vivian died some years after her divorce from Bob. Following her death, Steve came under his father’s care. Although Vivian did not experience the same level of international fame as her former husband, interest in her story continued because of her place in Bob Ross’ family history.

Vivian Ridge’s Death

Vivian Ridge died several years after ending her marriage to Bob Ross. Her residence at the time of her death was Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Her death meant that her son Steve was left under the care of his father. Vivian’s exact circumstances surrounding her death have remained largely outside the public spotlight. Her former husband lived until 1995. Bob Ross died on 4 July 1995 when he was 52 years old due to complications from lymphoma. He had also been a cigarette smoker for much of his adult life. By the time of his death, Bob had become a famous painter and television personality. Vivian and Bob were no longer together, but their shared family history continued through their son, Steve Ross.

Vivian Ridge’s Connection to the Ross Artistic Legacy

Vivian Ridge holds an interesting place in the Ross family story because art connected her, Bob Ross, and their son Steve. Vivian developed an interest in painting during childhood and later studied Art History. Bob discovered a stronger passion for painting while serving in the Air Force and eventually transformed that passion into a successful professional career. Their son later became an artist and painting instructor as well. Although Vivian never achieved the same television fame as her former husband, her own artistic background makes her more than simply a celebrity spouse. Her story reflects a family in which painting played an important role across generations. Today, people searching for information about Bob Ross’ personal life often encounter Vivian’s name as his first wife and the mother of Steve Ross.

Final Thoughts

Vivian Ridge was an American artist whose name became closely connected with Bob Ross after she became his first wife. Her personal interest in art began when she was young, and she later studied Art History at Wake Forest University. Vivian and Bob married in 1965 and welcomed their son, Robert Stephen Ross, in 1966. Their marriage lasted until their divorce in 1977. Vivian later lived separately with Steve before her death some years afterward. Although much of her public recognition came from her former husband, Vivian had her own artistic interests and educational background. Her son continued the family’s painting tradition by becoming an artist and certified painting instructor. Vivian therefore remains an important figure in the personal and family history behind Bob Ross’ celebrated artistic legacy.

(FAQs)

Who was Vivian Ridge?

Vivian Ridge was an American artist best known as the first wife of painter and television art instructor Bob Ross. She studied Art History at Wake Forest University and had an interest in painting from childhood.

When did Vivian Ridge and Bob Ross get married?

Vivian Ridge and Bob Ross married in 1965 after being in a relationship. Their marriage lasted for approximately 12 years before they divorced in 1977.

Why did Vivian Ridge and Bob Ross divorce?

Vivian Ridge and Bob Ross divorced in 1977. Their separation has been associated with allegations that Bob had been unfaithful during their marriage. They went on to live separate lives afterward.

Did Vivian Ridge and Bob Ross have children?

Yes. Vivian Ridge and Bob Ross had one son, Robert Stephen Ross, commonly known as Steve Ross. He was born on 1 August 1966 and later became an artist and certified painting instructor.

Is Vivian Ridge still alive?

No. Vivian Ridge died some years after her divorce from Bob Ross. She was living in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, around the time of her death. Her son later remained in his father’s care.

What happened to Bob Ross after Vivian Ridge?

Bob Ross later married Jane Lee Zanardelli, who died from cancer in 1992. In 1995, he married Lynda Brown. Bob died on 4 July 1995 at age 52 due to complications from lymphoma.