Vivian Ridge may not be a household name like her former husband Bob Ross, but her life holds an important place in his story and in the legacy of art that continues today through their son, Steve Ross. While Bob Ross went on to become a cultural icon with his soft voice, gentle teaching style, and famous television show The Joy of Painting, Vivian’s life was lived mostly outside the spotlight. Yet, her influence, support, and role as both a partner and mother deserve attention.
Telling her story means looking beyond the fame of her husband and remembering the woman who was an artist herself, a teacher, and the first person to stand by Bob before the world knew his name.
Profile Summary
| Category | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Vivian Ridge |
| Birthdate | 1964 |
| Birthplace | New York, USA |
| Education | Degree in Art History from Wake Forest University |
| Occupation | Painter and Teacher |
| Spouse | Bob Ross (married 1965–1977) |
| Children | Robert Stephen “Steve” Ross |
| Gender | Female |
| Cause of Death | Unknown (possibly cancer) |
Early Life and Background
Vivian Ridge’s early life is not well documented, and many details remain uncertain, with some sources saying she was born on October 29, 1942, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, while others give different years and places, but what is known is that she developed a strong love for art as a child and began painting at the age of twelve, a passion that stayed with her and later led her to study Art History at Wake Forest University, where she deepened her knowledge of art and eventually met Bob Ross, who would later become her husband.
Age and Looks
Vivian Ridge’s exact age is uncertain because different records list different birth years, with some saying she was born in 1942 and others in 1946, which means at the time of her reported passing she would have been in her early seventies, but unlike her famous husband Bob Ross, who became instantly recognizable for his permed hair and gentle presence on television, Vivian kept her life and appearance private, and because of this there are no widely available descriptions or photographs of how she looked, leaving her physical features mostly unknown to the public.
Work in Art and Teaching
Vivian Ridge spent much of her life close to art, creating paintings that often showed soft landscapes and portraits while also working as a teacher who shared her love for painting with students in a simple and encouraging way; her degree in Art History from Wake Forest University gave her a strong base in both theory and practice, and although she did not become widely known like her former husband Bob Ross, she built her own quiet reputation as a caring educator and thoughtful artist, later choosing to move into real estate after her divorce while still keeping her deep connection to creativity.
Meeting Bob Ross and Marriage
Vivian and Bob’s meeting has often been described as a love story built on their mutual appreciation for art. They were both young, ambitious, and inspired by the world of painting. As students, they shared their passion and encouraged each other, and soon their friendship grew into something stronger. In 1965, the two married, beginning a new chapter together. Their marriage lasted for twelve years, and during that time, they welcomed their only child, Robert Stephen “Steve” Ross, born in 1966. For the next decade, Vivian balanced her own artistic goals with the responsibilities of being both a wife and mother.
Who Is Bob Ross?
Bob Ross was a beloved American painter, art instructor, and television host best known for his calm voice, kind personality, and the PBS show The Joy of Painting, which ran from 1983 to 1994 and made him a cultural icon around the world, teaching millions of viewers how to paint landscapes filled with mountains, lakes, and his famous “happy little trees,” and before his fame he served in the U.S. Air Force, later developing the wet-on-wet technique that allowed him to complete paintings quickly on television, making art feel simple and fun for everyone, and even after his death in 1995 his legacy has continued to grow as new generations discover his timeless lessons and gentle approach to creativity.
Life with Bob Ross
Life with Bob Ross during those early years was not the glamorous story of television fame that would later define him. At that time, Bob was still shaping his career, serving in the U.S. Air Force while also working on his artistic skills whenever he could. Vivian’s presence during this period was a source of stability. She provided him with the encouragement and grounding he needed to keep pursuing art seriously.
In many ways, she was a steady partner during a time when Bob was finding his path. Although her contributions are not widely recorded, it is not difficult to see how the companionship of a supportive partner could make a difference in the life of an artist struggling to balance duty, ambition, and creativity.
Challenges and Divorce
By the mid-1970s, Bob Ross’s star was beginning to rise. His unique wet-on-wet technique, which allowed him to complete beautiful landscapes quickly, started attracting attention. For Bob, the late 1970s would open doors that eventually led to the beloved PBS show The Joy of Painting. However, for Vivian, this period was more complicated.
The couple’s marriage began to face serious challenges. Some reports suggest that the pressures of Bob’s growing career, along with personal issues such as infidelity, contributed to their difficulties. By 1977, after twelve years of marriage, Vivian and Bob divorced. Their separation marked the end of a chapter in both of their lives. Bob went on to remarry twice, while Vivian chose a quieter path away from the media and public attention.
Motherhood and Family
In 1966, the couple welcomed their only child, Robert Stephen “Steve” Ross. Steve inherited the artistic talent of both his parents and grew up surrounded by creativity. As a young boy, Steve watched both his mother and father paint, and over time, he too developed his own skills with a brush. Later in life, he would appear on The Joy of Painting alongside his father, showcasing the same wet-on-wet technique that Bob made famous.
Steve has often spoken about how both his parents influenced him, suggesting that Vivian’s perspective as an artist had as much impact on his journey as his father’s did. This connection through art created a thread that tied all three members of the family together, even as their lives eventually moved in different directions.
Life After Separation
After her divorce, Vivian Ridge stepped back from the limelight and began living a life of privacy. Some accounts suggest that she moved to Florida, where she started working in real estate while continuing to paint privately. For someone who preferred a quieter lifestyle, this transition made sense. She was not drawn to fame and instead chose to live peacefully, away from the shadow of Bob’s growing celebrity. Her story after the divorce is less documented, partly because she wanted it that way. Unlike Bob, who was constantly in front of the camera, Vivian never sought public recognition, which leaves much of her later life a mystery.
Death and Speculations
One of the enduring questions about Vivian Ridge concerns the details of her death. Different reports provide different dates and circumstances. Some sources have claimed that she passed away in the 1980s, while others suggest she lived until 2018, possibly after a battle with cancer. Because she lived privately, the true details are not widely confirmed, adding to the sense of mystery around her. What is certain, however, is that she left behind a son who has kept alive not only the artistic teachings of his father but also the quiet influence of his mother.
Legacy and Influence
When remembering Vivian Ridge, it is important to recognize the role she played in Bob Ross’s early years. While Bob Ross eventually became a cultural icon with millions of admirers around the world, his beginnings were shaped in part by the support and companionship of Vivian. Her steady presence in his life during the 1960s and early 1970s was part of the foundation on which he built his career. Many great artists and public figures are supported in ways the public rarely sees, and Vivian Ridge represents one of those unsung figures who, while not in the spotlight, played a role in the larger story.
Vivian Ridge’s Impact on Steve Ross
Her legacy also lives on through her son, Steve Ross. Steve has openly shared that he learned from both his parents, and though he is best known for continuing his father’s wet-on-wet style, there is little doubt that his mother’s artistic eye and encouragement also shaped his journey. Steve’s career is, in many ways, a tribute to both Bob and Vivian, carrying forward the family’s deep connection to painting.
Money and Net Worth
Vivian Ridge’s money matters and net worth were never made public, as she always kept her personal life very private, but it is known that she earned from her work as a painter and art teacher, and later found success in real estate after her separation from Bob Ross, and while no official figures exist to show her exact wealth, most accounts suggest she lived a modest and comfortable life, focusing more on her family and personal passions than on fame or financial gain.
Conclusion
Vivian Ridge may not have been a public figure like her former husband Bob Ross, but her story holds an important place in his life and in the legacy of art carried on by their son, Steve Ross, and while many details about her early years, later life, and passing remain private, what is clear is that she was a talented artist, a supportive partner during Bob’s early career, and a loving mother whose influence helped shape the Ross family’s connection to painting, and remembering her is a way of honoring the quieter but meaningful roles that often stand behind great success, proving that even lives lived outside the spotlight can leave a lasting mark.
FAQs About Vivian Ridge
1. Who was Vivian Ridge?
Vivian Ridge was an American painter and art teacher, best known as the first wife of Bob Ross, the famous TV painter from The Joy of Painting.
2. When did Vivian Ridge marry Bob Ross?
Vivian Ridge married Bob Ross in 1965, and their marriage lasted for 12 years before ending in divorce in 1977.
3. Did Vivian Ridge and Bob Ross have children?
Yes, they had one son together named Robert Stephen “Steve” Ross, born in 1966, who later became a painter and art teacher like his parents.
4. What did Vivian Ridge do after her divorce from Bob Ross?
After her divorce, Vivian Ridge lived a private life, reportedly working in real estate while still continuing her love for painting.
5. When did Vivian Ridge die?
The exact details of Vivian Ridge’s death are unclear, with some sources suggesting she passed away in the late 1980s and others reporting 2018.
6. What is Vivian Ridge’s legacy?
Vivian Ridge is remembered for her role in Bob Ross’s early life and career, and through her son Steve Ross, who continues the family’s artistic legacy.
