Home / Arts and Entertainment / Bob Barker's Wife: A Love Story That Inspired
Bob Barker's Wife: A Love Story That Inspired
18 Mar
Summary
- Bob Barker and Dorothy Jo Gideon met as high school students.
- Gideon inspired Barker's lifelong commitment to animal rights.
- She died at age 57 from lung cancer in October 1981.
Bob Barker's enduring love for his wife, Dorothy Jo Gideon, spanned over three decades following her death on October 19, 1981. They first met as teenagers in high school and eloped in 1945. Their lifelong partnership was marked by mutual support, with Gideon contributing to commercial jingles and inspiring Barker's career.
Gideon was a trailblazer in animal advocacy, inspiring Barker's own commitment to vegetarianism and animal rights, a cause he championed for decades. She was ahead of her time in her views on animal welfare and fur.
Despite their decades together, the couple did not have children, a decision Barker never regretted. Gideon passed away at age 57 after a diagnosis of lung cancer. Her death profoundly impacted Barker, leading him to establish the DJ&T Foundation in her memory.
The DJ&T Foundation, established in 1995, focused on supporting low-cost spay and neuter clinics to combat animal overpopulation. This foundation served as a lasting tribute to Gideon and Barker's mother.
