Bob Ross Net Worth – Artist Fortune At the time of Death

Bob Ross net worth was $1 million at the time of death. He was a painter, teacher, and TV host, best known for his show The Joy of Painting. The show ran for 31 seasons and made him famous for his unique wet-on-wet painting technique. 

Bob Ross was born on October 29, 1942, and died at the age of 52 on July 4, 1995, from lymphoma. He earned money through book sales, videos, art supplies, and merchandise. Some of his paintings sold for up to $10,000. Bob Ross had three wives. 

His first wife, Vivian Ridge, had a son, Steve Ross, who also became a painting instructor, following in his father’s footsteps.

Bob Ross Biography

Bob Ross Early Life and Education

Bob Ross, born Robert Norman Ross in Daytona Beach, Florida, grew up in Orlando. His mother, Ollie, was a waitress, and his father, Jack, a carpenter. He left school in ninth grade to work with his father but lost part of his left index finger in a carpentry accident.

He developed a love for animals, often caring for the injured ones he found. Ross had a half-brother named Jim, mentioned occasionally on his iconic show, The Joy of Painting. 

Bob Ross Career

Bob Ross began his career with humble beginnings, serving as a medical records technician in the U.S. Air Force, where he discovered his passion for painting during breaks.  His legacy continues to thrive as his image, teachings, and artwork remain beloved worldwide.

• 1961: He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and worked as a medical records technician.
• 1970s: While stationed in Alaska, he developed the wet-on-wet painting technique and painted Alaskan landscapes on gold-mining pans. This side passion eventually earned him more money than his Air Force salary.
• 1981: Ross retired from the Air Force as a master sergeant and vowed never to raise his voice again.
• 1982: He co-founded Bob Ross Inc. with Annette Kowalski and his wife, Jane. A PBS station in Virginia aired a pilot episode of his art class.
• 1983: His television show, “The Joy of Painting,” premiered on January 11. The show became a huge success, airing 403 episodes across 31 seasons.
• 1989: He published the book “The Best of the Joy of Painting with Bob Ross,” further cementing his fame.
• 1990s: By this time, Ross had sold an estimated $15–20 million worth of books, video tapes, and art kits. He filmed promotional spots for MTV and appeared on shows like The Joan Rivers Show and Phil Donahue.
• 1994: He retired from painting and television after being diagnosed with lymphoma. Made his final public TV appearance as a guest on The Adventures of Elmer and Friends.
• 1995: Bob Ross passed away on July 4, 1995, at the age of 52.
• 2015: Twitch hosted a nine-day marathon of The Joy of Painting, gaining over 5.6 million viewers.
• 2016: Netflix added episodes of The Joy of Painting. Bob Ross videos became popular with ASMR enthusiasts.
• 2019: The Smithsonian National Museum of American History acquired four of his paintings.
• 2021: Netflix released the documentary Bob Ross: Happy Accidents, Betrayal & Greed.

Bob Ross Wife

Bob Ross had three wives throughout his life.

• First Marriage: Bob married Vivian Ridge on May 28, 1965. They had a son, Steve Ross. They divorced in 1977 due to alleged infidelity.
• Second Marriage: Bob married Jane Ross on April 22, 1977. They remained married until Jane’s death from cancer in 1992. They had no children.
• Third Marriage: Bob married Lynda Brown on April 7, 1995. They were married for three months before Bob’s death. 
• Pets: Bob had several pet squirrels, including Bobette, Peapod, and Peapod Jr., who often appeared on The Joy of Painting.

Bob Ross Kids 

Bob Ross had two children:

Bob Ross Son 

Steve Ross was born on August 1, 1966. His son with first wife Vivian Ridge. Steve occasionally appeared on The Joy of Painting and became a Ross-certified instructor. He participated in the last episode of Season 1, reading “how-to” questions from viewers.

After his father’s death in 1995, Steve struggled with depression but later returned to teaching painting. He now carries on his father’s legacy, sharing painting techniques with others.

Bob Ross Daughter

Bob Ross fathered a child with Vivian Ridge. However, very little is known about her, and she did not have a public presence like Steve.

Bob Ross Age

Bob Ross was born on October 29, 1942, and passed away on July 4, 1995, at the age of 52. His legacy as an artist and television personality lives on through his calming painting techniques.

Bob Ross Cause of Death

Bob Ross passed away due to complications from lymphoma, a rare and aggressive cancer. His diagnosis was kept secret, and his death was a significant loss to both his family and fans.

Bob Ross Net Worth at the Time of Death

At the time of Bob Ross’ death in 1995, his net worth was $1 million. This did not include the future value of his name, likeness, and artwork, which later generated significant income through merchandise and painting supplies under Bob Ross Inc.

What are Bob Ross’s income Streams?

Bob Ross built a substantial net worth through various income sources. 

The Joy of Painting: 

Bob Ross’s popular PBS series provided worldwide exposure. Although he didn’t earn a salary for his hosting, the program was a vehicle for promoting his brand, ultimately expanding his fan base and increasing income from other ventures.

Books & Videos:

Bob authored and sold books, along with instructional painting videos. His publications, especially “The Best of the Joy of Painting,” and video sales contributed millions of dollars to his income, further solidifying his teaching brand.

Painting Kits & Supplies: 

Through Bob Ross Inc., Ross sold branded painting kits and supplies. The sale of these kits generated millions, as many people purchased them to replicate his painting technique, turning it into a profitable product line.

Art Classes: 

Ross’s technique was taught by certified instructors in workshops across the country. These classes became a profitable venture, allowing Ross’s teaching legacy to continue generating income while spreading his wet-on-wet painting style worldwide.

Licensing: 

Bob Ross’s likeness was licensed for a wide range of products, from Chia Pets to T-shirts. The use of his image on merchandise created ongoing passive income, cementing his place in popular culture and enhancing his financial success.

Bob Ross Paintings for Sale  

Ross’s original paintings were sold for high prices, sometimes reaching $10,000 each. The sale of his artwork, combined with the value of his signature technique, contributed significantly to his income and overall wealth before his passing.

Bob Ross Quotes 

Here are Bob Ross’s quotes:

• “There are no mistakes, only happy accidents.”
• “If you learned how to make a cloud, your time is not wasted.”
• “I believe, I believe every day is a good day when you paint.”
• “I really believe that if you practice enough you could paint the ‘Mona Lisa’ with a two-inch brush.”
• “I don’t intimidate anyone. Instead, I try to get people to believe in themselves.”
• “Traditionally, art has been for the select few. We have been brainwashed to believe that Michelangelo had to pat you on the head at birth.”
• “People see you on television, and they think you make the same amount of money that Clint Eastwood does. But this is PBS. All these shows are done for free.”
• “There are thousands of very, very talented artists who will never be known, even after they are dead.”
• “Within one hour of touching the brush to canvas for the first time, my students have a total, complete painting.”
• “If I paint something, I don’t want to have to explain what it is.”
• “We get letters every day from people wanting more mountains. As many as I paint, they still say, ‘Give me more mountains.'”
• “If you study my paintings, there are no signs of human life.”
• “I never turn down requests for interviews. I’m just rarely asked.”
• “I stay hidden. I’m sort of hard to find.”
• “I don’t intimidate anyone.”

FAQs

How did Bob Ross Die? 

Bob Ross died on July 4, 1995, at age 52 from complications related to lymphoma.

How much is a Bob Ross original worth?

A Bob Ross original painting can be worth from $8,000 to nearly $10 million., depending on the painting’s size, condition, and market demand.

Did Bob Ross get a salary?

Bob Ross did not earn a traditional salary from “The Joy of Painting.”