Have you ever thought about the life of the woman who was next to Bob Ross during his initial years? Not only was Vivian Ridge Bob Ross’s first wife, but she also played a big role in his life before he became an artist. While it is easily understandable why so many have been fixated on Bob, the tale of Vivian´s life is perhaps just as remarkable, even if it isn’t that well known. Let us examine her story as well and the impact that her life had on the legacy of this noteworthy artist.
Vivian Ridge was born on July 2, 1946, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA.
There is little information released about her parents, about her childhood home life. Vivian had always had a keen interest in art, which drove her to take up higher studies in it. She attended Wake Forest University and graduated with a degree in art history.
This academic background gave her the best possible start to her future career in the art world.
Vivian Ridge was an exceptionally talented painter, and just like her husband, Bob Ross, she was in love with the art world. She loved making pretty works of art, and many times, she would paint with Bob to further their artistic endeavors. In addition to painting, Vivian would also tend to the garden and nurture her flowers and plants.
She also liked cooking and experimenting with new recipes in a way of being creative and expressing herself. She might not have ever had a public career of her own, but she certainly did put the artistic flair and talent to good use as she helped shape Bob Ross’s eventual artistic talent.
Vivian Ridge met Bob Ross in Florida in the 1960s. At this stage, Bob was already part of the American Air Force, moving between bases, and in this instance, was in Eglin Air Force Base. Their passion for art was something they shared, and this brought them closer together, eventually starting off a beautiful relationship.
In 1965, Vivian and Bob married and went on to live their lives. They had a son, Robert Stephen “Steve” Ross, who eventually turned into an artist just like his father. Steve made some appearances in his father’s TV show, The Joy of Painting, during which his painting skills were also on display.
However, the couple’s marriage turned out to have its own complications, and therefore, in 1977, they got divorced. Even after the couple split, the period they spent together would help in the development of Bob Ross’s early life and career.
Bob Ross was brought to this world on October 29, 1942, in Daytona Beach, Florida, but his childhood was spent in Orlando.
At the age of 18, he enlisted in the United States Air Force and went to Alaska. While at Alaska, he developed a keen interest in painting due to the captivating sights.
Bob acquired a fast painting style known as wet-on-wet that allows different artists to complete a painting rapidly. Bill Alexander, who had a TV show on painting, was the one who showed him this skill.
In 1983, after exiting from the Air Force, Bob began airing his own television show called The Joy of Painting. In it, Bob demonstrated how to paint, more specifically landscapes, in a simple, easy-going manner. His calm voice and phrases like “happy little trees” made the show very popular.
For the next 11 years, from 1983 to 1994, Bob’s show would air; throughout that period, he was a role model in the field of art and the education of it. Bob Ross died on July 4, 1995, but his work is still of great significance to many new painters across the globe.
After Bob Ross and Vivian Ridge divorced in 1977, their lives took different paths.
Bob remarried later that same year to Jane Lee Zanardelli. They shared a deep love for art and worked together on Bob’s painting ventures. Sadly, Jane passed away from cancer in 1992. In 1995, Bob married Lynda Brown, but he died shortly after, on July 4, 1995, due to lymphoma.
Information about Vivian’s life after the divorce is limited. She passed away in 1986, leaving their son, Steve Ross, in Bob’s care. Steve followed in his father’s footsteps; becoming a skilled painter and occasionally appearing on Bob’s show, The Joy of Painting.
Bob Ross passed away in 1995, before the rise of social media. However, his legacy continues online through official accounts managed by his estate.
Vivian Ridge, Bob’s first wife, lived in an era before social media and has no online presence.
Steve Ross, their son, prefers to keep a low profile and does not maintain personal social media accounts. Official updates about his workshops and activities are shared through his website and associated channels.
Vivian Ridge played an important role in Bob Ross’s life during his early years. Though their paths eventually parted, her story remains closely tied to his journey. Her legacy, along with that of Bob and their son Steve, continues to inspire art lovers worldwide.
The digital gaming industry is an ecosystem that has evolved over time and SteamRip is…
Freesia is a flower celebrated not only for its delicate beauty but also for its…
Helping victims receive compensation for damages resulting from accidents, negligence, or unlawful activity depends mostly…
Critical thinking is arguably the most valuable academic skill. Whether you are studying at school,…
The IPL 2025 season itself has already thrown up some just unforgettable moments that have…
The English Labrador Retriever ranks as a global top dog breed because owners love its…