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
What the “M” on Your Palm Can Teach You About Purpose and Inner Strength
For generations, people have turned to palmistry as a way to reflect on life’s direction, personality, and hidden strengths. Learning how to read your own hand begins…
Which Chair Are You Drawn To? A Quiet Reflection on the Connections That Shape You
Some people pass through our lives like short seasons, while others stay long enough to leave permanent marks on who we become. Imagine stepping into a quiet…
How One Family Navigated a Medical Crisis That Redefined Hope
When health changes arrive quietly, it’s easy to underestimate their seriousness. In 2022, a Texas family learned this firsthand when Steven Spinale began feeling increasingly unwell over…
How a Minneapolis Community Is Coping After the Death of a Local Nurse
In late January 2026, Minneapolis was deeply affected by the fatal shooting of Alex Jeffrey Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care nurse and U.S. citizen, during a federal immigration…
How Scientists Approach Unusual Wildlife Sightings Without Jumping to Conclusions
When reports surface about something out of the ordinary in nature, the first step is learning how to listen carefully. In the lower Rio Grande Valley near…
How to Recognize Early Breast Changes and Take Action With Confidence
Sometimes it’s a small, unexpected change that makes you pause—something you notice in the shower, a difference in the mirror, or a mild discomfort that feels new….