Dorothy Josephine Barker

Married to game show host Bob Barker from 1945-1981 (her death). Affectionately known as Dorothy Jo.

Notes

From “Bob Barker’s Late Wife Dorothy Jo Gideon Meant the World to Him! Get to Know His Spouse.” < closerweekly.com >

The TV personality Bob Barker first met Dorothy at an Ella Fitzgerald concert in the mid-1930s. Although Bob was just 15 when they crossed paths, it didn’t take long for him to fall in love. The duo dated for the next several years, and in 1945, they eloped while Bob was on leave at the time he was working as a fighter pilot in the U.S. Navy.

The couple never had children during their decades-long relationship. "We didn't have time for children," Barker told Esquire in 2007, adding that they never second-guessed their decision: "I don't regret it, not when so many of my friends are having so much trouble with their children. I have 13 ducks, and that's a lot of work."

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Dorothy and her husband, Robert Barker

Source: posted on < FindAGrave >

References

• https://www.closerweekly.com/posts/who-is-bob-barker-wife-meet-doro...
• https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/about/9N7Y-TH9
• "United States Census, 1930", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XHXT-3JL : Thu Aug 03 22:15:48 UTC 2023), Household headed by great grandmother Sarah E Oliver. Entry for J Oliver Gideon and Dorothy L. Gideon, 1930 (parents). Dorothy J. Gideon, Birth Year (Estimated) 1923.
• "United States Census, 1940", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K7QD-Z1S : Sun Jul 23 16:20:16 UTC 2023), Springfield, Greene, Missouri, United States. Household headed by great grandmother Sarah E Oliver. Entry for J Oliver Gideon and Dorothy L. Gideon, 1940 (parents). Dorothy J. Gideon, Birth Year (Estimated) 1923.
• "United States 1950 Census", database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:6XK1-SNBZ : Sun Jul 23 15:08:02 UTC 2023), Entry for Robert W Barker and Dorothy J Barker, April 26, 1950. Lake Worth, Palm Beach, Florida. His occupation is radio announcer, hers is high school teacher.
• https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/3510/dorothy-josephine-barker
• < Obituary >