Vivian Ridge: Complete Biography of Bob Ross’s First Wife and Her Hidden Life

Vivian Ridge was an American artist and teacher best known as the first wife of Bob Ross, the beloved painter and host of the television show The Joy of Painting. Although Bob Ross became a worldwide icon, Vivian preferred to live a quiet and private life. She was talented, kind, and deeply connected to art.

Her life story is not widely known, but she played an important role in Bob Ross’s early years, helping shape the beginnings of his artistic journey. Vivian’s calm nature and love for creativity were reflected in everything she did, from her paintings to her role as a mother.

Early Life and Family Background

Vivian Ridge was born on October 29, 1942, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, though some reports mention the year 1946 instead. She grew up in a simple, middle-class home where creativity was part of everyday life. Surrounded by nature, Vivian developed an early love for drawing and painting. She would often sit by her window sketching trees, flowers, and the sky, finding peace in observing the world around her. Her mother loved gardening, and that connection to plants and natural colors helped Vivian see beauty in small, quiet things.

By the time she was a teenager, her talent for art was clear to everyone around her. Teachers encouraged her to pursue it seriously, and she often joined art clubs and local exhibitions. Her early paintings were calm and realistic, showing the delicate beauty of the world in soft, gentle tones.

Age and Birthday

Education and Artistic Passion

When it came time to choose her future, Vivian decided to study Art History at Wake Forest University in North Carolina. Her time there was important because it deepened her love for art and helped her understand the ideas behind great paintings. She studied famous artists, learned about color, texture, and balance, and began refining her own artistic style. Her professors admired her for her dedication and the emotion she brought to her work.

Vivian was especially drawn to botanical art and landscapes because they allowed her to combine her love for nature with her artistic knowledge. Her calm and patient personality made her a thoughtful observer of details that others might miss. At Wake Forest, she not only grew as an artist but also learned how to express her emotions through her paintings, a quality that would later influence her family as well.

How Vivian Met Bob Ross

During her time at university, Vivian met a young man named Bob Ross, who shared her deep love for art. The story of how they met is not fully recorded, but many believe that their shared passion for painting brought them together. At that time, Bob was still serving in the U.S. Air Force and was only beginning to explore his interest in painting. Vivian was drawn to his quiet confidence and creative spirit.

They would often spend hours talking about art, their favorite painters, and their dreams for the future. What began as a friendship soon turned into love. They both loved painting natural scenes—mountains, trees, and rivers for Bob; flowers and gardens for Vivian. Their shared appreciation for beauty and creativity helped form a strong bond between them.

Marriage and Family

Vivian Ridge and Bob Ross married in 1965, beginning a life that was simple yet full of artistic energy. They settled into a modest home where they both painted side by side. Their shared love of art turned their home into a small studio filled with brushes, easels, and colors. In 1966, they welcomed their only child, Robert Stephen “Steve” Ross. Vivian loved being a mother and balanced her family life with her passion for painting. She often painted while her baby slept nearby, filling the house with the quiet rhythm of creativity.

Their weekends were spent outdoors, where the family painted together and admired the landscapes that inspired their work. Vivian encouraged Bob during his early struggles as he tried to improve his skills and find his artistic voice. Her belief in him gave him strength at a time when his success was far from certain.

Who Is Bob Ross?

Vivian as an Artist

While Vivian Ridge is often remembered mainly as Bob Ross’s first wife, she was an accomplished artist herself. Her work focused on the quiet beauty of nature, often featuring flowers, plants, and peaceful outdoor scenes. She preferred watercolors and oils, using soft and natural colors that reflected her calm personality. Her style was gentle, and her paintings carried a sense of peace and balance.

Vivian also worked as an art teacher, sharing her love of painting with students in her community. She believed that anyone could learn to paint if they had patience and love for the process. Her teaching style was nurturing and simple, much like Bob’s later approach on television. Many of her students remembered her as kind and encouraging, someone who made them feel confident about their creativity.

Challenges and Divorce

As the 1970s arrived, Bob Ross’s career began to change. He started teaching art classes, traveling across the country, and gaining attention for his unique “wet-on-wet” painting technique. Vivian, on the other hand, preferred a quieter, more private life focused on her home, family, and personal art. The differences between them slowly began to grow. Reports from that time suggest that Bob’s growing ambition and fame created tension in their marriage. Some stories also mention personal issues and infidelity as reasons for their struggles.

Vivian, who valued peace and stability, found it difficult to adjust to the growing demands of Bob’s career. In 1977, after twelve years of marriage, the couple divorced. The separation was painful, but Vivian chose to move forward quietly. She took primary care of their son, Steve, and stayed out of the public eye, while Bob continued to build his career, eventually becoming one of the most beloved television artists in history.

Life After Divorce

After her separation from Bob Ross, Vivian Ridge decided to focus on her own happiness and independence. She moved to a quieter part of North Carolina and built a life that suited her private nature. She continued to paint, often working on botanical themes and peaceful landscapes inspired by her surroundings. During this time, she also began a career in real estate, which provided her financial security while allowing her to keep painting as a personal passion. Her home became a small sanctuary filled with her artwork, books, and plants.

Vivian rarely spoke about her marriage or Bob’s fame. Those who knew her described her as warm, calm, and deeply thoughtful. She preferred to live without attention, spending her time with close friends, her son, and her art.

Relationship with Steve Ross

Vivian’s most meaningful relationship after her divorce was with her son, Steve. She raised him with care and gave him both love and creative encouragement. Steve inherited his parents’ artistic talent and began painting at an early age. Vivian taught him the basics of color, shading, and balance. She encouraged him to express himself through painting, just as she and Bob had done years earlier.

Later, when Steve began appearing on “The Joy of Painting” with his father, he often mentioned how both parents had shaped his understanding of art. From his mother, he learned patience and precision, and from his father, he learned confidence and spontaneity. The blend of both influences helped him develop his own identity as an artist. Even after he became known for his work with his father, Steve continued to honor his mother’s quiet impact on his creative life.

Later Years

In her later years, Vivian Ridge continued to live privately, away from public attention. She spent her time painting, gardening, and occasionally teaching small art classes. Some of her works were displayed in small North Carolina galleries, where they were appreciated for their delicate beauty and detailed craftsmanship. She was known for her paintings of flowers, leaves, and gentle landscapes that captured the calmness of nature. These paintings showed her love for life’s quiet moments and her ability to see beauty in simplicity. Vivian’s peaceful lifestyle reflected her belief that art did not have to be about fame or success but about joy, balance, and peace of mind.

Death and Legacy

The details surrounding Vivian Ridge’s death are not completely clear. Some reports claim that she passed away in the late 1980s, while others say she lived until May 3, 2018, possibly after battling cancer. Because she valued privacy so deeply, little information about her final years exists. What remains certain is that she lived her life on her own terms—peacefully and quietly, surrounded by the things she loved.

Her legacy continues through her son, Steve Ross, and through the influence she had on Bob Ross during his early career. Though her name is rarely mentioned in discussions about Bob’s life, Vivian was there when he was still developing his artistic style and confidence. Her artistic insight, calm nature, and love of beauty likely influenced the gentle way Bob later taught millions of people how to paint.