Legendary American television presenter, Bob Barker has died at the age of 99 – read on for his biography.
Barker was one of the most iconic and beloved TV personalities of all time. He hosted the popular game show “The Price Is Right” for 35 years, setting a record for the longest-running daytime game show in North American television history.
He also hosted “Truth or Consequences” for 19 years, as well as the Miss USA and Miss Universe pageants for 21 years. He was known for his charisma, humor, and compassion, both on and off the screen.
How did Bob Barker become such a successful and influential TV star? What were the highlights and lowlights of his career and life? And what is his legacy as a game show host and an animal rights advocate?
In this article, we will explore the biography of Bob Barker, from his early life and education to his death, wife, children and net worth.
Bob Barker biography
Early Life and Education
Robert William Barker ‘Bob’ Barker was born on December 12, 1923, in Darrington, Washington to Byron John Barker, an electrical line foreman and Matilda Valandra (née Tarleton), a school teacher.
Barker spent most of his childhood on the Rosebud Indian Reservation in South Dakota, where his mother taught at a school. He was one-eighth Sioux and was enrolled as a member of the tribe.
He attended Central High School in Springfield, Missouri, where he met his future wife, Dorothy Jo Gideon. They fell in love at the age of 15 and went on their first date to an Ella Fitzgerald concert. They eloped in 1945 while Barker was on leave from the Navy.
Barker joined the Navy Reserve during World War II as a fighter pilot. However, he never saw combat as the war ended before he was assigned to a squadron. After the war, he returned to Springfield and enrolled at Drury College (now Drury University) on a basketball scholarship.
Career
He started his career in radio while he was still in college. He worked at KTTS-FM in Springfield as a news editor and announcer. He also hosted an audience participation show called “The Bob Barker Show”. He moved to Florida in 1948 and worked at WWPG-AM in Palm Beach.
In 1950, Bob Barker moved to California to pursue a career in television.
He continued to host “The Bob Barker Show” on KNX radio in Los Angeles for six years. He also appeared on various TV shows as a guest or a substitute host.
In 1956, he got his big break when he was hired by Ralph Edwards to host “Truth or Consequences”, a game show where contestants had to perform stunts or face humorous consequences.
Barker hosted the show for 19 years on NBC and syndication. He became famous for his witty remarks and friendly rapport with the contestants.
In 1972, Barker began hosting another game show that would make him a household name: “The Price Is Right”.
The show was a revival of an earlier version that aired from 1956 to 1965. The new version featured contestants bidding on various prizes by guessing their retail prices.
Bob Barker hosted the show for 35 years on CBS until his retirement in 2007. He also served as the executive producer of the show from 1988 to 2007.
Barker was also the host of the Miss USA and Miss Universe pageants from 1967 to 1987. He was the longest-serving host of these pageants and was known for his professionalism and charm.
Barker made his film debut in 1996, playing himself in the comedy “Happy Gilmore” starring Adam Sandler.
He had a memorable fight scene with Sandler that won them an MTV Movie Award for Best Fight.
He also appeared in other films and TV shows, such as “The Nanny”, “The Bold and the Beautiful”, “How I Met Your Mother”, and “Family Guy”.
Bob Barker was reported dead on Saturday, August 26th 2023. He was 99.
Wife
Bob Barker married Dorothy Jo Gideon on January 12, 1945, in St. Louis, Missouri. They were high school sweethearts and remained married until her death on October 19, 1981, from lung cancer. They had no children.
Barker never remarried after his wife’s death. He said that she was the love of his life and that he did not want to replace her. He did have a long-term relationship with Nancy Burnet, an animal rights activist, since 1983.
Barker was a vegetarian since 1979 and a vegan since 2009. He credited his wife for influencing his dietary choices and his animal rights activism. He said that becoming a vegetarian improved his health and longevity.
Barker lived in Los Angeles, California, in a house that he bought in 1974 for $200,000. He also owned a ranch in North Dakota, where he kept some of his rescued animals.
Throughout his life, Barker was a staunch advocate for animal rights and welfare. He used his fame and fortune to support various causes and organizations that aimed to protect animals from cruelty and exploitation.
Barker received numerous awards and recognition for his animal rights activism, such as the Genesis Award from the Humane Society of the United States, the Humanitarian Award from PETA, the Peter Singer Prize for Strategies to Reduce Animal Suffering from Animal Ethics Inc., and the Harvard Law School’s Animal Law & Policy Program’s Lifetime Achievement Award.
Bob Barker net worth 2023
Bob Barker is a retired American TV game show host and animal activist who has a net worth of $70 million.
Lawsuits and Controversies
Barker faced several lawsuits and controversies during his career, mostly related to sexual harassment allegations from former employees or models on “The Price Is Right”.
In 1994, model Dian Parkinson sued Barker for sexual harassment, claiming that he coerced her into a three-year affair with him and then fired her when she ended it. Barker admitted to having a consensual relationship with Parkinson but denied any coercion or retaliation. The lawsuit was dropped in 1995.
In 1995, model Holly Hallstrom sued Barker for wrongful termination and defamation, claiming that he fired her because she refused to support him in Parkinson’s lawsuit and because she gained weight after recovering from an illness.
Barker denied the allegations and countersued Hallstrom for slander. The lawsuit was settled out of court in 2005.
In 1996, model Janice Pennington sued Barker for wrongful termination and sexual harassment, claiming that he fired her because she testified against him in Hallstrom’s lawsuit and because she married a man he disliked. Barker denied the allegations and said that Pennington was fired because she posed nude for Playboy magazine without his permission. The lawsuit was dismissed in 2000.
Thank you for reading Bob Barker Biography, Wife, Children, Net Worth, Death.
Source: GhanaCelebrities.Com