- Bob Barker was once one of America’s favorite TV game show hosts, having been on “The Price Is Right” for decades.
- He continued to bring flowers to his wife’s grave years after her death. He also honored her in the way he lived.
- Barker vowed never to marry again, as his late wife was the love of his life. Despite this, he dated another woman for 40 years until his death.
Bob Barker, long-time American game show host on “The Price Is Right,” has died. He was 99 at the time of his passing at his Hollywood Hills home on August 26, 2023.
Barker’s passing greatly affected those around him. CBS released a statement following his death, saying they lost a beloved member of their family.
Bob Barker accepts Outstanding Game Show Host award for “The Price is Right” | Source: Getty Images
They remembered Barker’s spectacular run on “The Price Is Right” for 35 years and how he’s affected change in countless people’s lives through the years. They also commended his work as an animal rights activist.
After news broke of his death, his long-time girlfriend Nancy Burnet chose to remember him fondly. She is proud of the work they’ve done together to protect animals. She also said:
“We were great friends over these 40 years. He will be missed.”
Bob Barker was born Robert William Barker on December 12, 1923. He was from the humble town of Darrington, Washington, before moving to Missouri for school and, later, California to begin his career.
Barker was working at a radio station in California when Ralph Edwards scouted him. Edwards founded “Truth or Consequences,” a popular game show then.
A portrait of Bob Barker, circa 1976 | Source: Getty Images
Edwards asked Barker to host the show beginning in 1956 and kept his job for nearly two decades until 1975. He left “Truth or Consequences” due to the growing popularity of his second show, “The Price Is Right.”
“The Price Is Right,” hosted by Barker, first aired in 1972. However, it was a revival of a short-lived game show from 1956 to 1965.
The show remained popular for decades and became the longest-running game show on American television. Barker hosted the show until he retired in 2007.
Bob Barker during “The Price is Right” 34th Season Premiere – Taping at CBS Television City in Los Angeles, California, circa 2005 | Source: Getty Images
Besides a successful career, Barker had several causes close to his heart. He was an animal rights activist, once donating $5 million to fund a boat for an anti-whaling efforts group.
His late wife, Dorothy Jo Gideon, inspired him to become an animal rights activist. She was once fiercely protective of animals; she chose to be vegetarian and did not wear anything made of animal skin or fur.
Gideon greatly influenced Barker in his decisions. She inspired him to become an animal rights activist and a vegetarian.
Bob Barker and wife Dorothy Jo Barker | Source: Getty Images
His wife died on October 19, 1981, after battling lung cancer. Barker was devastated by the loss, claiming he lost the ultimate love of his life.
He fell into a deep depression. He drowned himself in work for three years and didn’t feel like himself.
Ten years after his wife died, Barker clarified that he’d never get married again. “Dorothy Jo was the love of my life,” he said.
Howard, best known as Lassie, poses with American television personality and game show host Bob Barker on a chartered aircraft, Los Angeles, California, October 31, 2003. | Source: Getty Images
In 2017, when Barker was 93, he visited his late wife on her 36th death anniversary. He sat by her grave, looking frail and lonely, spending time with her in silence.
Barker may have vowed not to marry again, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t interested in finding a companion. In 1983, he met Nancy Burnet at an animal adoption event, and they hit it off.
Like Barker and Gideon, Barnet was an animal rights activist. They started dating, and they were together for four decades until his death.
Bob Barker and Nancy Burnet attend the Animal Defenders International gala on October 13, 2012 in Hollywood, California. | Source: Getty Images
Bob Barker Has a Partner But Lives Alone
At 99, Barker relied on others for his daily needs – he lived alone and not with his partner of 40 years. Despite this, Barker didn’t feel lonely. He was constantly surrounded by several beloved pets, which have kept him company through the years.
Burnet lived an hour away from Barker. She resides in San Bernardino and spoke to him on the phone several times weekly.
Her absence in Barker’s life was because of how active she was at work. “I don’t have a great deal of time for a full-time relationship with anyone,” she admitted.
However, when she did get time off of work, it was Barker she enjoyed spending time with. She’s the most credible source for updates on Barker’s life, given she was the closest to him.
PAWS co-founder Ed Stewart, Bob Barker, and Nancy Burnet at the Toronto Zoo on October 21, 2013. | Source: Getty Images
Burnet gave fans a glimpse of Barker’s life months before his death. Then, she happily shared what doctors have said about him:
“His doctors are quite surprised, anytime that they have seen him, how healthy he looks for his age, and they’re surprised that he takes nothing else.”
At the time, Burnet shared the secret of Barker’s longevity. His long-time partner said it’s not as complex as everyone thinks. Aside from a vegetarian lifestyle, he also took a complete vegan meal replacement to enhance his nutrition.
Television game show host Bob Barker attends the CBS/UPN’s Super Bowl XXXVIII Party during the 2004 Winter Press Tour at the Avalon Hollywood on January 17, 2004 in Hollywood, California. | Source: Getty Images
On Burnet and Barker’s Journey as Animal Activists
Burnet felt comfortable in her relationship with Barker, and so did he. They both had animal activism close to their hearts, and it’s one way they’ve connected through the years.
Burnet works for United Activists for Animal Rights, a group she founded in 1987. She is also the director of the DJ&T Foundation, which was founded in 1994 by Barker.
Barker named DJ&T Foundation after his late wife, Dorothy Jo, and mother, Tillie Barker.
Through the years, Burnet and Barker have gone places they’ve never been for animal activism. They still couldn’t help but come across causes close to their hearts on vacations.
Burnet is proud of everything she and Barker have accomplished together, including the opening of Donkeyland Wildlife Sanctuary in Southern California. She called the sanctuary Barker’s “greatest living legacy,” contributing to the funding of fencing off 500 acres of land so wild donkeys could roam around freely while still staying protected.
Bob Barker, left, poses for photographers with Nancy Burnet, Director of United Activists for Animal Rights after a hearing on the “Captive Elephant Accident Prevention Act of 1999” on Capitol Hill, June 13, 2000 in Washington. | Source: Getty Images
As Burnet once said, Barker lived a charmed life. He dedicated much of his life to great causes, leaving a mark on thousands of people and animals. May he rest in peace.
