What Was Bob Ross' Net Worth?
Bob Ross was an American painter, art instructor, and television host. At the time of his death in 1995, Bob Ross had a net worth of $1 million. That does not include the value of his name, likeness and collection of artwork. The rights to his name and likeness would later prove to be worth many millions of dollars. Unfortunately his estate has been fought over bitterly in the last decade. More on that later in this article.
Ross created and hosted the PBS television series "The Joy of Painting," which aired from 1983 to 1994 and also aired in Canada, Europe, and Latin America. At the show's peak, it aired on more than 90% of American public television networks and was viewed by millions of people each week. Bob appeared on the show essentially for free, but he used the platform to promote his book and painting kits. In his lifetime, he sold $15-20 million worth of books, video tapes and art kits.
In the 21st century Ross became an internet celebrity and is very popular on YouTube. He was known for his wet-on-wet oil painting technique and his catchphrases such as "happy little trees". He published the book "The Best of the Joy of Painting with Bob Ross" in 1989. Bob retired after he was diagnosed with lymphoma, and sadly, he passed away in July 1995 at the age of 52. His intellectual property is controlled through the holding company Bob Ross Inc., which has licensed his image for use on t-shirts, Chia Pets, costumes, underwear, soap, puzzles, coloring books, and more. There is also a robust market for his original paintings, some of which have sold for as much as $10,000.
Early Life
Bob Ross was born Robert Norman Ross on October 29, 1942, in Daytona Beach, Florida. His mother, Ollie, worked as a waitress, and his father, Jack, was a carpenter. Bob grew up in Orlando and took care of injured animals during his youth. He had a half-brother named Jim, who he mentioned on "The Joy of Painting." Ross quit school in ninth grade and began working with his father, and while working as a carpenter, he lost part of the index finger on his left hand in a "freak saw accident." Bob enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1961 and was assigned the position of medical records technician. He eventually became a master sergeant, and at Alaska's Eielson Air Force Base, he was the first sergeant of the clinic. He enjoyed painting during his breaks, and during his time in the Air Force, he developed the quick wet-on-wet painting technique he became famous for. While serving in the military, Ross was "the guy who makes you scrub the latrine, the guy who makes you make your bed, the guy who screams at you for being late to work," so when he left in 1981, he vowed to no longer raise his voice.
(Photo by Acey Harper/Getty Images)
