Bob Barker: A Century of Life and Legacy

A lot happened in 1972. Don McLean’s hit song “American Pie” was No. 1, Richard Nixon was president, his administration was trying to cover up its involvement in the Watergate Scandal, NASA’s Space Shuttle program was officially launched, and Bob Barker, the host of a new game show called the Price is Right, was giving away brand new cars that were then valued at less than $4000.

Wikipedia Commons

Synonymous with The Price is Right, Bob Barker is an entertainment icon, a cross-generational household name, who hosted the popular game show for 35 years.Growing up on an Indian reservation in South Dakota, Barker–a member of the Sioux Tribe–met his future wife, Dorothy Jo Gideon at an Ella Fitzgerald concert. He married Gideon, his high school sweetheart in 1945, when he was on leave from the United States Navy Reserve, where during World War II, he trained as a fighter pilot. He never served on active duty but did return to university and graduated with an economics degree.

Barker, now 99, was hosting a radio show in Los Angeles when he captured the attention of Ralph Edwards, a game show producer who was looking for a new host of Truth or Consequences, the first game show to be broadcast on TV. Hosting the hugely popular show from 1956 to 1975, Barker’s popularity was rising, and in 1967, he started hosting Miss Universe and Miss USA pageants.

Shutterstock

And then it happened. In 1972, he appeared on the stage of The Price is Right, which launched him and the show, into superstardom.

The Price is Right became the longest running game show in history, a title it still holds, and Barker, serving as executive producer in 1988, won 14 Daytime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Game Show Host and four Emmys for his role as executive producer.

In 1981, Gideon, 57, died of lung cancer, leaving her husband of 36 years behind.

“I never had any inclination to remarry. She was my wife.” Barker said.

Wikipedia Commons

He did however find another partner, Nancy Burnet, who has been with Barker now 40 years. According to Nancy, one of the key factors contributing to Barker’s good health is his limited use of medication over the years.

Related Posts

My Sister Ruined My Graduation to Remind Me I’m Not ‘Really’ Family

When I was adopted at ten, I gained a sister—Ava—who leaned in that first night and whispered, “You ruined my life. I’ll ruin yours.” I thought she…

The Secret Behind the Upside-Down Stair Baluster That Most People Miss

I’ve lived in several multi-story homes, some with beautiful staircases, but I never noticed anything unusual — until recently. After moving into a new house, I started…

The Officer Came to Arrest Her—But Rescued a Puppy Instead

I was on my porch sipping lukewarm coffee when the patrol car rolled up across the street. It parked right in front of Miss Lillian’s place—you know,…

I Found a Child Abandoned Next Door — What I Did Changed Both Our Lives Forever

When a mysterious family moved into the long-abandoned house next door, I couldn’t help but notice how strange they seemed—especially the little girl who played alone in…

When Jennifer Spoke: A Month Into Motherhood

A month had flown by since we officially became a family of three. After months of planning, forms, and background checks, Richard and I finally brought little…

Farmer discovers strange eggs in his field – experts offer surprising explanation

A Routine Walk Turned Discovery During a quiet morning stroll through his soybean field, 64-year-old farmer Thomas noticed something odd. After overnight rain, his soil was damp,…