Meet Vivian Ridge: The Real Story of Bob Ross’s First Wife and Her Quiet Life

Vivian Ridge was a kind-hearted American artist best known as the first wife of Bob Ross, the legendary painter and TV personality who inspired millions with his calm voice and gentle brushstrokes. While Bob became a global icon, Vivian chose a quiet and private life, away from fame and television. She was an artist herself, a devoted mother, and a woman who lived peacefully, surrounded by nature and creativity. Her story is not about fame or publicity—it is about love, art, patience, and the quiet influence she had on the early years of Bob Ross’s life and career.

Early Life and Background

Vivian Ridge was born on October 29, 1942, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. She grew up in a small, peaceful town surrounded by nature, which would later influence her deep love for art. Her childhood was simple and warm. Like many children, she enjoyed being outdoors, watching the seasons change, and admiring the beauty of trees, flowers, and clouds.

She was drawn to nature in a way that many artists are—as a source of peace and inspiration. From an early age, Vivian loved to sketch what she saw. She filled her notebooks with drawings of plants, birds, and landscapes. Her mother was an amateur gardener, and this likely helped Vivian develop a close connection with the natural world. Those early experiences with nature shaped her gentle view of life and would later reflect in her paintings.

Education and Passion for Art

As Vivian grew older, her love for painting and color only deepened. She had a natural talent for detail and enjoyed expressing herself through her art. After finishing high school, she chose to stay close to home and study at Wake Forest University, where she majored in Art History. At the university, she spent hours studying famous painters, art techniques, and the meaning behind colors and shapes.

She was fascinated by how art could tell stories without words and how a single brushstroke could express emotions. This education gave her a strong foundation and a deeper understanding of the artistic world. Her favorite artists were often those who painted nature, like Georgia O’Keeffe, who captured flowers and landscapes with quiet power. These influences helped shape Vivian’s own soft and peaceful artistic style.

How Vivian Ridge Met Bob Ross

During her college years, Vivian’s path crossed with a young man named Bob Ross. At the time, Bob was still far from being a household name. He was quiet, curious, and deeply in love with painting. Some believe they met through mutual friends, while others say they met during art-related events or through shared interests. However they met, it was clear that they shared a special connection built around creativity, kindness, and a shared appreciation for the beauty of nature.

Vivian admired Bob’s free spirit and how easily he could create scenes with paint. He, in turn, admired her patience, eye for detail, and deep understanding of art. They spent time together painting, talking about their dreams, and enjoying each other’s company. It was the beginning of a partnership that would shape both of their lives in quiet but meaningful ways.

Marriage Life

In 1965, Vivian Ridge and Bob Ross got married. They were both young, full of dreams, and ready to build a life together. Their early years as a married couple were not glamorous but filled with simple joys and shared passions. Bob was still serving in the United States Air Force at that time, while Vivian continued pursuing her art. Life was not always easy for them. Money was tight, and Bob was often away because of his military duties.

But Vivian stood by his side, offering love and support. She encouraged him to continue painting whenever he had free time, and her quiet faith in his talent gave him the strength to keep going. They created a home filled with creativity, laughter, and colors. The smell of paint, the sound of brushes moving across the canvas, and the sight of unfinished art pieces were all part of their daily life.

Who Is Bob Ross?

Becoming Parents

A year after their marriage, Vivian and Bob welcomed their son, Robert Stephen “Steve” Ross, in 1966. Becoming parents brought new joy into their lives. Steve was the center of their world, and both parents wanted to share their love of art with him. As a child, Steve grew up surrounded by brushes, paints, and canvases. Vivian often painted while watching him play, and sometimes she would let him dab a brush into her watercolors just to see the smile on his face. The Ross family’s home was full of creativity and calm energy.

They often spent afternoons painting together or taking walks outdoors to gather inspiration from nature. Vivian’s influence as a mother and artist helped shape the early artistic environment that surrounded Steve, who would later grow up to become an artist and teacher just like his father.

Vivian Ridge as an Artist

Vivian Ridge was an artist in her own right. Although she never sought fame or recognition, she had a gift for painting soft, delicate images inspired by the world around her. Her favorite subjects were plants, flowers, and landscapes. She loved using watercolors to capture the gentle colors of leaves, petals, and sunlight. Her work was not about bold statements or fame—it was about peace and beauty.

Those who saw her paintings described them as calming and full of life. Her art reflected who she was: patient, observant, and deeply connected to nature. While Bob focused on landscapes with mountains and skies, Vivian focused on the small details—the tiny leaves, the gentle light on a flower, the texture of tree bark. Together, their artistic styles complemented each other perfectly. It is said that some of Bob’s most detailed nature scenes were inspired by the things Vivian taught him about the structure and beauty of plants.

Divorce and Personal Struggles

The couple’s marriage lasted for twelve years, from 1965 to 1977. During that time, Bob Ross’s career was slowly growing. He was beginning to teach art classes and explore the wet-on-wet painting technique that would later make him famous. Vivian supported him through these years of experimentation and uncertainty. But as time passed, their lives started to move in different directions.

Bob’s career required him to travel often, while Vivian preferred a quiet, private life. Fame never interested her. She wanted peace, time with her son, and space to paint freely. The growing demands of Bob’s work began to put pressure on their relationship. There were also rumors of infidelity, which added to the strain. Eventually, the couple decided to end their marriage. In 1977, after twelve years together, Vivian and Bob divorced.

Life After Divorce

Divorce is never easy, and for Vivian, it was a difficult chapter. After the separation, she decided to step away completely from the public eye. She focused on her own life and her son, choosing peace over publicity. While Bob continued his rise to fame with The Joy of Painting, Vivian stayed out of the spotlight. She didn’t give interviews, didn’t appear on television, and never tried to attach herself to Bob’s growing success.

Instead, she moved to a quiet home in North Carolina, where she could continue painting and teaching art privately. She became known locally as a patient and skilled teacher who helped others discover their creative sides. Those who took lessons from her said she had a calming presence, much like Bob, but even softer and more personal.

Private Artistic Life

Vivian’s life after the divorce was simple but fulfilling. She lived surrounded by the things she loved most—her art, her garden, and her family. She spent her days painting flowers and plants from her own garden, blending her two passions into one peaceful life. She also became involved in small local art circles and garden clubs, sharing her knowledge and creativity with others. Her paintings during this period reflected her love for nature and her inner calm. She rarely spoke about Bob or their time together, preferring to let the past remain private. However, those close to her said she was proud of her son Steve, who carried on the Ross family’s love for painting.

Illness and Death

As the years went by, Vivian faced her share of health challenges. In the mid-2000s, she was diagnosed with cancer. True to her quiet nature, she chose to face it privately. She continued to paint as much as she could, finding comfort in her art even during difficult days. Painting had always been her way of finding peace, and it remained that way until the end.

Vivian Ridge passed away on May 3, 2018, at the age of 75. Her funeral was small and private, attended by family and close friends. Her son Steve spoke at the service, describing her as the most patient, gentle, and loving person he had ever known. He credited both of his parents for his love of art but said his mother taught him to see beauty in small, simple things—like a single leaf or the reflection of light on water.

Legacy and Influence

Though Vivian Ridge never became famous, her influence is still felt today. She helped nurture the creative spirit that would later bring joy to millions through Bob Ross’s paintings and teachings. Her quiet presence during the early years of his journey gave him the emotional support he needed to keep painting, even when life was uncertain. The kindness and patience she showed in both her art and her relationships became part of the foundation on which Bob built his artistic philosophy. Her influence also lives on through Steve Ross, who continues to teach painting and inspire others, just as his parents did.

Remembering Vivian Ridge

In October 2024, on what would have been her 82nd birthday, a small art gallery in North Carolina hosted an exhibition dedicated to her work. The display included her watercolors, family photographs, and early sketches from her college years. Visitors described the paintings as peaceful, detailed, and full of quiet beauty. Steve Ross, who organized the event, said during the opening speech that his mother believed art did not need an audience to matter—it only needed honesty and heart. He said, “My mother taught me that true art doesn’t need cameras or fame. She found beauty in things most people overlook.”

Vivian Ridge Net Worth

Vivian Ridge lived a modest but comfortable life. She earned money through her paintings, private art lessons, and small exhibitions. While she was not wealthy, she managed her life independently and peacefully. At the time of her death in 2018, her estimated net worth was around $1 million, mostly from her art sales and property. However, her real value came from the legacy she left behind—her art, her teachings, and the kindness she shared with others.

Final Thoughts

Vivian Ridge’s life reminds us that not every story of greatness happens in front of a camera. Some stories, like hers, are written quietly through love, patience, and creativity. She was more than Bob Ross’s first wife—she was a gifted artist, a devoted mother, and a kind woman who lived with peace and purpose. Her art and her influence continue to live on through her son and through the gentle beauty that Bob Ross shared with the world. Vivian Ridge may have lived a quiet life, but her legacy will always speak softly through the art, love, and inspiration she left behind.