Bob Barker’s Companion Explains Why She Kept Turning Down His Marriage Proposals Over 4 Decades

Aug 31, 2023

During his lifetime, TV icon Bob Barker was a force to reckon with in the world of TV anchoring and Hollywood as a whole. Barker’s pivotal influence in entertainment saw him popularize shows like “Truth or Consequences” and his most-recognized stint on “The Price Is Right.” His career spanned over six decades before his retirement. Barker passed away on Aug. 26, 2023, at 99.

After his death, tributes poured in from stars in the entertainment sphere as many honored his exceptional life and times. On Aug. 28, 2023, Barker’s longtime girlfriend, Nancy Burnet, opened up about his final days while reminiscing about some of their fondest moments. 

Born Robert William Barker on Dec. 12, 1923, the legendary host started out as a naval officer in World War 2. He became interested in radio and moved to California to start a career in broadcasting. Barker began his radio show, “The Bob Barker Show,” in 1950. Six years later, he got his big break as an anchor for “Truth or Consequences.” Barker would go on to man the show for close to two decades before gaining more recognition with “The Price Is Right.”  

In 1990, “The Price Is Right” became the longest-running daytime game show. Barker also became the recipient of 19 Daytime Emmy Awards. Barker received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1976 and was inducted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame in 2004. 

The former “Miss Universe” host was married to Dorothy Jo Gideon from 1945 to 1981, which was when she sadly passed away. She died at the age of 57 after battling lung cancer. The couple, who had a common interest in animal rights, never had children together. Barker never remarried but had a long commitment with Burnet for the rest of his life.

Barker and Burnet met in 1983, two years after Jo Gideon’s death, at an animal adoption event. Being passionate about the care of pets and wildlife helped the duo bond. In his 2009 autobiography, “Priceless Memories,” Barker detailed the events of how they first became acquainted. He had asked if she was single or married, and Burnet told him she was “winding up a divorce.” From there, the duo fostered a relationship that would last decades. 

She stated their partnership lasted a long time due to their shared sense of humor and passions. She told Today, “People have to have fun together. They sometimes forget that after they’ve been together for a while. But if they can keep that in their relationship, it’ll last a long time and get you over some really rough spots.”

Burnet added their relationship got better over the years due to “the work that was done.” By this, she referred to their shared passion for animal activism. The duo rescued and took care of animals through Barker’s DJ&T Foundation, of which Nancy became vice president in 2000. 

She noted Barker’s legacy will endure due to his good works in the animal rights sphere and gushed about how he used to sign off on “The Price Is Right” by reminding viewers to “help control the pet population.” Burnet said:

“I am so proud of the trailblazing work Barker and I did together to expose the cruelty to animals in the entertainment industry and including working to improve the plight of abused and exploited animals in the United States and internationally.”

As it were, Barker intended to continue after his passing what he had passionately advocated for during his lifetime: care for animals. According to TMZ, Barker left much of his assets to more than 40 animal rights organizations, as well as military nonprofits.

Some of these agencies included the DonkeyLand Rescue in Riverside, California, the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society and a bird conservatory. Naturally, he also left a significant sum to the United Activists for Animal Rights charity that he established in 1987 and which Burnet heads as president.

Barker’s estimated worth after more than five decades in showbiz stood at $70 million.

According to the outlet, Barker left Burnet in charge of much of his estate after his passing, after she took pains to ensure his every need was met round-the-clock in the past few years. Speaking about his final moments, she recalled employing the best caregivers in Los Angeles and said:

“Even in his final stages, he wasn’t that gaunt. You know, some people at that age are very gaunt and thin and frail. He was not.” 

Despite his fame and legacy, a funeral service or memorial will not be held for Barker, as per his wishes. According to Neal, the television personality would be laid to rest Barker will be laid to rest at Forest Lawn Memorial Cemetery in the Hollywood Hills next to his late wife, Jo Gideon. Barker lived alone at home in his final years. However, Burnet told Today that, “as a friend and companion,” she oversaw “every aspect of his health, of his care.” 

“I was in touch with the caregiver nurses every day, all day, and they checked in with me at night, if ever there was a problem and I was speaking with them until late … It was my pleasure to do it. To make sure that he was cared for in a way that everybody should be, frankly, but not everyone has that benefit that he did,” she added.

At the time of Barker’s passing, his and Burnet’s relationship had simmered into something more akin to a deep friendship than romantic love, although that hadn’t always been the case. Burnet recounted how Barker had, on numerous occasions in the past, asked for her hand in marriage.

“Neither of us had any desire ever to be married again, and he believed it when we first started seeing each other," she explained to People. "But as the years went by, he proposed to me many times. I just said, 'I just don't want to be married.' Our humor was very dry. We kidded in a way. And he said, 'Not even to me?' And I said, 'Especially not to you.'"

However, Barker remained persistent while Burnet struggled with concerns about their wide age gap.

“There was a difference, a 19-and-a-half, 20-year difference in our ages, so I said, 'What would people think here?' And he said, 'Oh, I don’t care what they think.' He was interested in doing it anyway. He didn’t care," she said.

She recalled that Barker was so adamant about walking down the aisle with her that he even had a prenup drafted up without her knowledge. She explained:

“He had his attorney send it to me. I said, 'I just don't want to do this. I'm not going to accept this.' And he said, 'Well, if you don't like the terms of the prenup, take it to your own attorney. You can change it.' I never did do it."

Looking back on their decades together, Burnet offered what she believed to be the reason Barker was so fond of her:

“I think the thing that he liked most about me is that I may have been the only person who treated him like anyone else.”

What are your thoughts on Bob Barker and Nancy Burnet’s relationship? Have you ever had a romance turn into a deep friendship like theirs? Let us know, and be sure to pass this along to friends and family, too.