Dorothy Jo Gideon was the wife of Bob Barker, the former longtime host of “The Price Is Right”. She died in 1981 at the age of 57 after a battle with lung cancer. Here is everything you need to know about her life, death and cause of death.
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Early Life and Marriage
Dorothy Jo Gideon was born on January 12, 1924 in Springfield, Missouri. She met Bob Barker when they were both attending Central High School, graduating in 1941. They fell in love as teenagers and eloped to St. Louis on January 12, 1945, when Barker was on leave as a Navy pilot. They remained married for 36 years until her death.
Career and Support
Dorothy Jo Gideon was a homemaker and a supportive wife to Bob Barker, who pursued a career in show business. She encouraged him to join the entertainment industry and helped him with his audition tapes. She also appeared with him on his first television show, “Truth or Consequences”, in 1956. She was known for her sense of humor and her love of animals.
Lung Cancer and Death
Dorothy Jo Gideon was a heavy smoker for most of her life. She was diagnosed with lung cancer in early 1981 and underwent surgery and chemotherapy. However, the cancer had spread to other parts of her body and she died on October 19, 1981, at their home in Los Angeles. She was buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Los Angeles.
Bob Barker’s Grief and Legacy
Bob Barker was devastated by the loss of his wife and went into a deep depression for several years. He never remarried and dedicated his life to animal rights activism, a cause that his wife also supported. He hosted “The Price Is Right” for 35 more years until his retirement in 2007. He died on August 26, 2023, at the age of 99.
Dorothy Jo Gideon and Bob Barker had a long and loving marriage that lasted until death parted them. They were an inspiration to many people and left behind a legacy of kindness and compassion. Dorothy Jo Gideon’s cause of death was lung cancer, but her memory lives on in the hearts of her husband, family, friends and fans.
