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Vivian Patricia Ridge was Bob Ross’s first wife, an artist and art history graduate from Wake Forest University. Married from 1965 to 1977, she supported Bob’s early career and raised their son Steve, who became a successful painter continuing the family’s artistic tradition.
Vivian Patricia Ridge was born on October 29, 1942, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and later became known as the first wife of Bob Ross. Unlike her famous ex-husband, she lived most of her life away from public attention. She started painting as a hobby at age 12, developing an early passion that would shape her entire life.
While Bob Ross became a household name through The Joy of Painting, Vivian remained a private person. She was an artist with her own talents, though her story became forever linked to the American painter Bob Ross, known for his soothing voice and happy little trees. Her choice to avoid the spotlight makes piecing together her life challenging, but the available information paints a picture of a woman who valued art, family, and privacy above fame.
Vivian pursued her passion for art academically at Wake Forest University, where she studied art history. This education gave her both theoretical knowledge and practical understanding of artistic traditions. It was during these college years that she met Robert Norman Ross, a young man who shared her deep appreciation for art.
Their meeting appeared destined. Both were drawn to painting and creating. In 1965, they married, beginning a partnership that would last twelve years. At the time, few could have predicted that Bob would become one of America’s most beloved television personalities, or that their son would continue the family’s artistic traditions decades later.
The couple married in 1965 when Bob was still serving in the United States Air Force. He had enlisted in 1961 and would spend 20 years in military service before retiring to pursue art full-time. During these early years, Vivian stood beside him as he balanced his duties as an Air Force medical records technician with his growing interest in painting, which would lead to his success as an American painter.
Being married to someone in the military meant frequent moves and uncertainty. Bob rose through the ranks to become a master sergeant at a clinic at Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska. It was in Alaska that Bob’s interest in painting deepened, attending art classes during his off-duty hours, which laid the foundation for his future as an American painter. Vivian understood the importance of this creative outlet for her husband.
The military lifestyle shaped their early marriage. Vivian adapted to new locations, built temporary homes, and provided the stability Bob needed to explore his artistic ambitions. Her support during this period laid the groundwork for everything that would come later.
On August 1, 1966, Vivian and Bob welcomed their only child together, Robert Stephen Ross, known as Steve. Growing up in a household where both parents valued art, Steve naturally gravitated toward painting. He watched his mother create her own works and observed his father developing the techniques that would make him famous.
Steve showed early promise, selling his first painting at age 12. Both Vivian and Bob nurtured this talent, creating an environment where art wasn’t just a hobby but a way of seeing the world. The influence of both parents shaped Steve into the accomplished painter he would become.
Vivian’s role in Steve’s development deserves recognition. While Bob would eventually gain fame, she spent countless hours encouraging their son’s creativity, teaching basic techniques, and instilling the discipline needed to master any craft.
In 1981, Bob retired from the Air Force to pursue painting full-time, eventually becoming the renowned painter Bob Ross. This decision came with significant financial risk, especially considering the net worth that Bob Ross would eventually achieve as a beloved painter. Leaving the security of military pay meant betting everything on Bob’s ability to make a living through art instruction and sales.
Vivian played an important role during this transitional phase, offering unwavering support as Bob developed his unique painting style and teaching methods, which later gained fame on PBS. However, by this time, their marriage had already ended. The divorce occurred in 1977, four years before Bob’s full career shift.
During their marriage, Vivian witnessed Bob’s evolution from a military man who painted on the side to someone seriously considering art as a profession. She saw him study under Bill Alexander and develop the wet-on-wet technique. Her presence during these formative years makes her part of the foundation Bob Ross Inc. was built.
Vivian and Bob divorced in 1977 after twelve years of marriage. Steve was only 11 years old when his parents separated. The split was attributed to irreconcilable differences, with some sources mentioning allegations of infidelity on Bob’s part.
Neither Vivian nor Bob spoke publicly about the specific reasons for their divorce. This silence reflected both their personalities—Bob rarely discussed his personal life in interviews, and Vivian preferred privacy even more strongly. The decision to part ways came before Bob’s television fame, meaning Vivian didn’t divorce a celebrity but rather a man still finding his professional path.
Steve stayed with his mother initially after the divorce, maintaining a close bond with her. The separation changed the family dynamic but didn’t diminish either parent’s love for their son or their shared commitment to his well-being.
Following her divorce, Vivian stepped even further from public view. Some sources indicate she pursued a career in real estate, showcasing a different facet of her professional life. This career shift demonstrated her adaptability and independence.
Vivian never remarried, choosing to remain single for the rest of her life. She focused her energy on personal interests and maintaining her relationship with Steve. As Bob’s fame grew through The Joy of Painting, which aired from 1983 to 1994, Vivian maintained her privacy.
Her decision to stay out of the spotlight became more intentional as Bob became more famous. She could have leveraged her connection to him for attention or financial gain, but chose not to. This choice reflects her character—someone who valued genuine relationships and personal integrity over public recognition.
The circumstances surrounding Vivian’s death remain unclear. One source claims she passed away on May 3, 2018, at age 79, but this information lacks verification through official records or obituaries. Other sources simply note that she died some years after her divorce from Bob, without providing specific dates.
The absence of public death records or obituaries is consistent with how Vivian lived—privately and on her own terms. Her family may have chosen to keep this information within a small circle, respecting her lifelong preference for privacy. In an era where most information eventually surfaces online, the gaps in Vivian’s story serve as a reminder that some people successfully maintain their boundaries.
What we do know is that her death occurred years after Bob’s passing in 1995, and Steve had been under her care following the separation before eventually reconnecting with his father, the famous painter Bob Ross.
Steve Ross appeared on The Joy of Painting multiple times, demonstrating the painting techniques his father taught him. He became a certified Bob Ross instructor and seemed poised to continue his father’s work. However, Bob’s death in 1995 from lymphoma at age 52 devastated Steve.
When his father died, Steve fell into depression and gave up painting for nearly 25 years. The loss, combined with complex legal battles over Bob’s intellectual property rights with Bob Ross Inc., pushed Steve away from the easel.
It wasn’t until 2019 that Steve publicly stood in front of an easel again. He organized painting workshops with Dana Jester, a fellow certified Bob Ross instructor. The response overwhelmed him—dozens of painters and hundreds of fans showed up. Steve admitted he didn’t realize people missed him or wanted him to teach again.
Today, Steve holds painting classes in Tennessee and Colorado, teaching the wet-on-wet technique to new generations of artists. His return to painting honors both his father and his mother, who first encouraged his artistic development. Through Steve, Vivian’s influence on the art world continues.
Vivian Ridge may not have sought fame, but her contributions to the Bob Ross story matter. She was there during the uncertain early years, providing support when Bob was still figuring out his path. She raised a son who would carry on the family’s artistic tradition. She modeled how to live with dignity and privacy even when connected to someone famous.
Her encouragement and belief in Bob’s talents were pivotal during times of uncertainty and change. Without that foundation, the trajectory of Bob’s career might have been different. The same applies to Steve—both parents nurtured his abilities, and Vivian’s role deserves equal recognition alongside Bob’s more visible contributions.
Her legacy also includes a lesson about the people behind successful artists. Every well-known figure has supporters, partners, and family members who contribute to their success in ways that never make headlines. Vivian represents those unsung contributors whose impact ripples through generations.
Her life serves as a reminder of the profound impact that supportive partners and parents can have on the creative journeys of those they love. Through Steve’s continued work teaching painting, Vivian’s influence remains alive. She helped create an artistic dynasty that brings joy to people learning to paint today, even though most will never know her name.
The story of Vivian Ridge isn’t complete—too many details remain private or lost to time. But what we do know reveals a woman who valued art, family, and authenticity. She lived according to her own values, supported the people she loved, and left the world richer through her son’s continued artistic contributions. That quiet, dignified life as the first wife of Bob Ross deserves to be remembered.
