Vicky Ross Was Bob Ross's First Wife and the Mother of His Son

Vicky Ross was a significant person in Bob Ross's life as she was not only his first wife but also the mother of his son. Although she later became Bob Ross' ex-wife, she once recalled how much he loved painting, despite it not being his day job then.

Bob Ross was an American painter, art instructor, and television host. He is best known for his instructional painting television series, "The Joy of Painting," from 1983 to 1994. He became famous for his soothing voice, gentle personality, and signature style of creating "happy little trees" and landscapes on canvas.

His show, which aired globally, brought the joy of painting to millions of viewers, making him a beloved cultural icon. Despite his death in 1995, his legacy inspires and captivates people worldwide.

In recent years, a new generation of fans has been introduced to Bob's work through the popular streaming platform Netflix. In 2021, the documentary "Bob Ross: Happy Accidents, Betrayal & Greed" was released, shedding new light on the painter's life and career.

The documentary revealed previously unknown details about his life and his struggles in the art industry through the eyes of those closest to him. Despite his divorce, the artist found love again and was married twice before death.

Vicky Ross Was Bob's First Wife

Bob Ross married for the first time in 1965. His wife was Vicky, and they had met during the early years of his service. Before he became known as a painter, he had enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1961 at 18.

A few years after enlisting, he and Vicky tied the knot just before he left for his base in Alaska. Shortly after, she became pregnant, and the couple welcomed their son within a year of marriage. They were together for over a decade before their divorce in 1977.

The painter allegedly cheated on his wife, contributing to the end of their marriage. Years later, Vicky has not stopped celebrating her late ex-husband. She lives in Orlando, Florida, and uses Facebook to relive memories of Bob.

On October 29, 2022, Vicky posted an image on Facebook to celebrate Bob's posthumous birthday. The message on the photo read:

"Happy Birthday Bob Ross: The love of my life and the dad of our son Steve Ross."

For Thanksgiving that same year, she posted on Facebook that she remembered Bob and all the loved ones who couldn't be with her to celebrate. She remarked that they would always be in her thoughts.

Vicky and Bob's Son Steve's Life Now

Vicky and Bob welcomed their son, Steve, in 1966, and he grew up in his father's footsteps. A year after his parents divorced, he lived with his father in Spokane, saw his father express his passion for painting, and started painting as a child.

However, after his father died in 1995, he went into a depression that affected his livelihood, and he barely managed to keep things together. He stopped painting and teaching because it reminded him of the worst moment in his life.

Gradually, he went off the grid and lived out of the spotlight like a hermit for 15 years. In 2019, he publicly appeared at a workshop in Winchester, where he painted for six to eight hours for four days.

After the workshop, Steve went online to read feedback from the attendees, and their comments shocked him. He did not expect their words of love and kindness. He said:

"I didn't realize that people missed me or wanted to have me do this again. I always knew, but what I mean is maybe I didn't want to know. Maybe I reserved the right to remain ignorant."

Their words evoked emotions within Steve and drove him to tears. In addition, it made him realize what was missing in his life. He is back at the easel today, holding art classes in Colorado and Tennessee and assisting Bob Ross-certified instructors.

Bob and Vivian's Son Took Part in a Netflix Documentary

In 2021, Netflix released an investigative documentary, "Bob Ross: Happy Accidents, Betrayal & Greed." Steve and his mother were a part of the documentary focused on the legal dispute surrounding the artist's name and likeness.

The documentary, which had Melissa McCarthy as one of the producers, starred several of the painter's friends and family and included archive footage with Joan Rivers, Dennis Kapp, Regis Philbin, James Corden, Stephen Colbert, Kathie Lee Gifford, and more.

Bob Was Married Twice after His Divorce from His First Wife

Bob found love again the same year he and his first wife divorced. While living in Spokane, Washington, he met Jane Zanardelli, a civilian who worked as an Air Force base secretary. Their relationship quickly progressed, and they married.

She was a supportive wife who allowed him to pursue his love for painting after his 20 years of active duty while she took care of his son from his first marriage. After his painting career took off, she became an equal partner with him and two others at Bob Ross, Inc.

The couple stayed married until 1992 when she was diagnosed with cancer and died the same year. Shortly after her death, he was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and two years later, he faced the end of his life.

The painter died in July 1995, but he married again two months before his death. He married Lynda Brown, a nurse he had known for a few months after they met in the hospital. They remained married until his last day.