Dorothy Jo Gideon was more than just the wife of Bob Barker, the legendary host of The Price Is Right. She was also a singer, a voice actor, and an animal rights activist who influenced her husband’s career and life choices. She died of lung cancer in 1981, but her legacy lives on in the hearts of many who knew and loved her.
Biography, Nationality
Dorothy Jo Gideon was born on February 24, 1924 (age: 57 years, when died), in Springfield, Missouri. She met Bob Barker when they were both teenagers at Central High School in Springfield. They fell in love at first sight and went on their first date to an Ella Fitzgerald concert.
They dated for several years and eloped in St. Louis on January 12, 1945, while Barker was on leave from his navy fighter pilot training during World War II. They remained married for 36 years until her death.
Dorothy Jo Gideon Ethnicity, Wiki, Religion
| Name | Dorothy Jo Gideon |
|---|---|
| Birth date | February 24, 1924 |
| Birthplace | Springfield, Missouri, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | White |
| Religion | Christian |
| Death date | October 19, 1981 |
| Death place | Los Angeles, California, USA |
| Cause of death | Lung cancer |
| Spouse | Bob Barker (1945-1981) |
| Occupation | Singer, voice actor, animal rights activist |
| Notable works | The Bob Barker Show, The Jack Benny Program, The Red Skelton Show, Walt Disney’s Mother Goose, The Wizard of Oz, It’s Your Bet, Tattletales |
| Awards | PETA Humanitarian Award, Doris Day Animal Foundation Award |
| Legacy | DJ&T Foundation, Bob Barker Building |
| Social Links | IMDB- @nm8311249 Homepage- Newsunzip |
How She and Her Husband Bob Barker Work Together?
Dorothy Jo Gideon had a talent for singing and voice acting. She worked on commercial jingles and radio shows with her husband, who was also a radio host and announcer. She encouraged him to pursue a career in television and game shows, which led him to host shows like Truth or Consequences, The Family Game, and The Price Is Right. She also appeared with him on several episodes of Tattletales, a 1970s game show where celebrity couples revealed secrets about their relationships.
A Singer with a Golden Voice
.She met Bob Barker when they were both teenagers at Central High School. They fell in love at first sight and went on their first date to an Ella Fitzgerald concert. They dated for years and eloped in St. Louis on January 12, 1945, while Bob was on leave from the Navy. He was 21 and she was 20.
They moved to California after the war and pursued their careers in show business. Dorothy Jo worked as a singer and a voice actor, and Bob became a radio and TV personality. They supported each other’s dreams and talents, and often collaborated on commercial jingles and game shows. They appeared together on Tattletales, a 1970s show where celebrity couples revealed secrets about their relationships.
She had a golden voice that charmed audiences and listeners. She sang for various radio and TV programs, such as The Bob Barker Show, The Jack Benny Program, and The Red Skelton Show. She also recorded songs for children’s albums, such as Walt Disney’s Mother Goose and The Wizard of Oz. She was known for her versatility and her ability to sing in different styles and languages.
An Animal Rights Pioneer
Dorothy Jo Gideon was not only a talented performer, but also a passionate animal rights activist. She was ahead of her time, as Bob recalled in an interview with Good Morning America in 2009. She stopped wearing fur coats and became a vegetarian before it was popular. She also influenced Bob to adopt a plant-based diet and to help animal organizations. He credited her for his decision to end The Price Is Right with the famous phrase, “Help control the pet population. Have your pets spayed or neutered.”
She and Bob shared their home with many rescued animals, including dogs, cats, rabbits, and birds. They also donated millions of dollars to various animal causes, such as spay and neuter programs, wildlife sanctuaries, and anti-cruelty campaigns. They were honored with several awards for their animal advocacy, such as the PETA Humanitarian Award and the Doris Day Animal Foundation Award.
Honor, Death Cause
Dorothy Jo and Bob had a marriage that lasted 36 years, until her tragic death in 1981. She was diagnosed with lung cancer in April and passed away in October, at the age of 57. Bob was devastated by the loss of his soulmate and never remarried. He told People magazine in 1999, “Dorothy Jo was the love of my life. I’ll never marry again.”
He kept her memory alive by visiting her grave with flowers, as he was seen doing on the 36th anniversary of her death in 2017. He also continued their legacy of animal activism, by founding the DJ&T Foundation, named after their initials, which funds low-cost spay and neuter clinics across the country. He also donated $2.5 million to PETA to create the Bob Barker Building, which houses the group’s Los Angeles office.
She was more than Bob Barker’s wife. She was his best friend, his co-star, and his co-conspirator. She was the woman who made him who he was, and who loved him unconditionally. She was a remarkable woman who left a lasting impact on the world. She was, as Bob said, “the love of his life.”
Bob Barker, the beloved host of The Price Is Right, would have turned 100 years old on December 12, 2023. To celebrate his life and legacy, the Corn Palace in Mitchell, South Dakota, unveiled a mural of his face made entirely of corn on the same day. The mural is part of the 2024 theme of the Corn Palace, which is “Famous South Dakotans”.
Bob Barker was born in Washington, but he spent most of his childhood in Mission, South Dakota, where he was a member of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe. He started his career as a radio host and announcer, before moving to television and game shows. He hosted The Price Is Right for 35 years, from 1972 to 2007, making it the longest-running game show in history. He was also a passionate animal rights activist, who donated millions of dollars to various animal causes and foundations.
The Corn Palace is a unique attraction that showcases the agricultural heritage of South Dakota. It is decorated with murals made of corn and other grains, which change every year according to a different theme. The Corn Palace attracts more than 500,000 visitors annually, who come to see the colorful and creative designs.
The Bob Barker mural is one of the nine murals that feature famous South Dakotans, who have made significant contributions to the fields of arts, sports, politics, and science. Some of the other murals include NBA star Mike Miller, Olympic gold medalist Billy Mills, astronaut Charles Gemar, and author Laura Ingalls Wilder.
The Corn Palace director, Doug Greenway, said that the Bob Barker mural was a tribute to his remarkable career and his connection to South Dakota. He also said that the Corn Palace staff was considering adding a “1923-2023” sign to the mural to commemorate his death, which occurred on August 28, 2023, at the age of 99.
The Corn Palace murals are expected to be completed by Thanksgiving, and will be on display until the next year. The Corn Palace hopes that the new murals will attract more tourists and fans of the famous South Dakotans, especially Bob Barker, who was a national treasure and a local hero.
Did Dorothy Jo Gideon and Bob Barker Have Any Kids? The Truth About Their Child-Free Marriage
Dorothy Jo Gideon and Bob Barker were one of the most enduring couples in Hollywood history. They met when they were teenagers, eloped when they were in their early twenties, and stayed married for 36 years until Dorothy Jo died in 1981. They were also partners in show business and animal rights activism and influenced each other’s careers and lifestyles.
A Mutual Decision
Dorothy Jo and Bob did not have any kids by choice. They made a mutual decision early in their marriage that they did not want to have any kids. They felt that they were happy and fulfilled with each other, and did not need to have any kid to complete their family. They also had other priorities and passions that they wanted to pursue, such as their careers and their animal advocacy.
Bob explained their decision in an interview with Esquire in 2007. He said, “We didn’t want to have children. We felt that we could have a happier marriage without children. And we did. We were very happy. We had our dogs, and they were our children. We loved them dearly.”
A Rare Choice
Dorothy and Bob’s choice to not have any kids was rare and unconventional for their time. They faced social pressure and criticism from some people who did not understand or respect their choice. They also had to deal with rumors and speculations that they could not have any kids or that they had a secret kid somewhere.
However, Dorothy Jo and Bob did not let the negative opinions of others affect their happiness. They stood by their choice and defended it whenever necessary. They also found support and acceptance from their friends and family, who respected their decision and admired their relationship.
ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7r7HWrKynspmle6S7zGiuoqOZZLGwvs6tn7JlmqR6qLXDnqanZw%3D%3D