Bob Barker Brought Daisies & Knelt at Wife’s Grave despite Poor Health — He Still Wears Her Ring Decades Later

Bob Barker, who anchored the country's longest-running daytime game show, "The Price Is Right," clocks 99 today. But that is not the only impressive detail about him. Barker's romance with his high school sweetheart shows that love is powerful and long-lasting.

During his years as "The Price Is Right" anchor, Bob Barker intrigued his audience with his amiable tone, smile, and classic appearance. Additionally, he always left them with his unusual sign-off regarding controlling the pet population.

Barker, who is also passionate about animals as he was hosting game shows, had spent years on "Truth or Consequences" before moving to "The Price Is Right." However, he loved nothing more than his wife, Dorothy Jo Gideon.

The couple remained happily married for thirty-six years, creating many memories while proving that true love was not an onscreen myth.

Their love story began during their teenage years. They were classmates at Central High School, Springfield, and Barker asked Dorothy Jo to be his date for an Ella Fitzgerald concert.

It did not take long for them to fall in love, but even as teenagers, they understood that marrying was impossible until they were older. In 1945, 21-year-old Barker was on leave as a Navy pilot when he eloped with his high school love, and they married in St. Louis.

Following his time in the US Navy, the TV personality pursued a career in television after working in a local radio station for some years, with his wife as his sidekick.

Fortunately, in 1956, Ralph Edwards, producer and creator of "Truth or Consequences," hired him. Barker remained on the game show for about two decades before moving to "The Price Is Right," where he gained heightened stardom and fandom.

Throughout this time with his wife, Barker never had a bad day or any regrets. The actor boldly expressed that their love for each other never changed. In his words:

"We fell in love as kids, and we stayed in love."

Barker and Dorothy Jo's Married Years

Indeed, the iconic couple remained inseparable, like two peas in a pod. They were supportive of each other, content and happy, and the fact that they had no kids did not bother them.

Sadly, in 1981, Dorothy Jo, who had a smoking habit, was diagnosed with lung cancer. Following her diagnosis, she lived for only six months.

Losing his high school sweetheart was devastating for Barker; the heartbreak was too heavy to bear, and he slipped into depression for about two years.

To keep his wife close, he wore her wedding band, inherited from her grandmother, on his left ring finger. In 1994, he was reported to be wearing the ring and was still spotted wearing it in 2013 and 2017.

The famous TV host admitted that work kept him going. He immersed himself in his life as a television host and animal activist.

Barker was so intensely conscious of his activism that he turned down the offer for big shows in protest. He retired as the host of the Miss USA and Miss Universe Pageants in 1988 because of the organizer's insistence on using a fur coat as one of the prizes.

Ten years later, he resigned from "Dr.Quinn, Medicine Woman," claiming the show mistreated horses. Later, an investigation headed by an SPCA-LA supported the allegation.

Despite immersing himself in work, it did not change the fact that Barker still loved his wife. For years, he carried on proudly like a married man still in awe of his new bride.

He recalled many fulfilling experiences with his beloved partner and spoke highly of her in her absence. He never intended to marry again because to him, "Dorothy Jo was the love of my life."

Barker remembered how they started their lives; a 21-year-old groom prepared to be forever in love with his 20-year-old bride. In a somewhat hopeful and refreshing tone, Barker revealed that his pride was not in what they did not have but in their time together. He noted:

"She was with me all the time until she died. I had my marriage, and she was the love of my life. We didn't have time for children. I don't regret it, not when so many of my friends are having so much trouble with their children."

Bob Barker Has a New Love but Will Never Forget His First Love

Barker celebrates his 99th birthday today as a healthy man with excellent weight/diet, and he has found love again with Nancy Burnet.

Like his first love story, his relationship with Burnet has endured for many years, and the couple is still waxing stronger. With Burnet by his side, he beat depression, skin cancer, prostate surgery, and a stroke. While speaking about her partner, 79-year-old Burnet said:

"He's doing pretty well … he's happy, he's engaged. He's just doing remarkably well for almost 99 years of age."

The couple connected over their passion for animal activism while attending an animal adoption event in March 1983. Since then, they have shared ideas and created an impressive wildlife preserve known as Donkeyland.

Barker's chemistry with Burnet and the life they have built is undeniably outstanding. However, the famous TV host still cherishes the memories of his deceased wife.

In 2019, the retired TV host honored Dorothy Jo by marking the 36th anniversary of her death. He took a trip to her graveside at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, L.A with a bouquet of daisies.

Barker cleaned her grave, and reports confirmed that he collapsed in grief and spent twenty minutes at the site with a caretaker. Although friends and family were worried about him, he soon recovered.

This was not the first time he would be helpless. However, Barker always found a way to get back up.

A few months before the graveside visit, he slipped in the bathroom of his mansion in Hollywood Hills, California. He was hospitalized but was discharged after a few hours.

In 2017, the TV legend fell on the sidewalk near his home, sustaining a knee injury, but he healed from that as well.

Barker has proven to be the hero of his story, and amid his falls, grief, and health scares, he has bounced back. The former TV host chose to hold on to the beautiful memories he created with his only wife, inspiring younger generations to see that absence can truly make the heart grow fonder.