Lynda Brown was Bob Ross’s third wife. The painter behind PBS’s The Joy of Painting married her in 1995, about two months before he died of complications from lymphoma on July 4, 1995, at the age of 52. Bob was intensely private, and very little reliable information about Lynda has ever been published.
Lynda Brown: Quick Facts
| Name | Lynda Brown |
| Known as | Third wife of painter Bob Ross |
| Married | 1995, about two months before Bob’s death |
| Bob Ross died | July 4, 1995, Orlando, Florida |
| Bob’s previous wives | Vivian Ridge (1965 to 1977) and Jane Ross (1977 until her death in 1992) |
When Did Bob Ross Marry Lynda Brown?
Bob married Lynda in 1995, roughly two months before his death. By then he had been ill with lymphoma for some time, a diagnosis he kept private. His New York Times obituary mentioned his second wife, Jane, but said nothing about Lynda, according to Grunge.
What Do We Know About Lynda Brown?
Very little has been confirmed. Bob kept his personal life out of the spotlight, and we could find no interviews with Lynda. You’ll find claims online about her job, how she met Bob and her family, but they trace back to unverified posts rather than reliable reporting, so we haven’t repeated them here.
Lynda Brown and Bob Ross’s Estate
Lynda’s marriage came at a tense moment. Bob was in a dispute with his business partners, Annette and Walt Kowalski, over control of his name and work. Some accounts suggest the marriage and a late change to his will were meant to protect his estate for his family. Bob left the rights to his name and likeness to his son, Steve, and his half-brother, Jimmie Cox, but the Kowalskis argued successfully in court that his work belonged to Bob Ross Inc.
How Many Times Was Bob Ross Married?
Three times. He married Vivian Ridge in 1965, and they had a son, Steve, before divorcing in 1977. He married Jane later in 1977; she co-owned Bob Ross Inc. and died of cancer in 1992. Lynda was his third and final wife.
Our Take
Lynda Brown is the least-known person in Bob Ross’s story, and that seems to have been by design. The honest answer to “who is Lynda Brown?” is that she was the woman Bob chose to marry at the very end of his life, and that she has stayed out of public view since.
Related stories: Who was Jane Ross, Bob Ross’s second wife? · Who is Sunny Ozell, Patrick Stewart’s wife? · Who is Sheila Falconer, Patrick Stewart’s first wife?
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Lynda Brown?
Lynda Brown was Bob Ross’s third wife. They married in 1995, about two months before he died.
When did Bob Ross die?
Bob Ross died on July 4, 1995, in Orlando, Florida, of complications from lymphoma. He was 52.
Who was Bob Ross married to when he died?
He was married to Lynda Brown, his third wife.
Who were Bob Ross’s wives?
Vivian Ridge (1965 to 1977), Jane Ross (1977 until her death in 1992) and Lynda Brown (1995).
Sources
- Wikipedia: Bob Ross
- Grunge: What the last 12 months of Bob Ross’ life were like (Sep 11, 2020)
- Distractify: Bob Ross was an international icon, but who was his wife? (Aug 18, 2021)
- People via AOL: Bob Ross’ death, 30 years later (Jul 4, 2025)
Sources and Editorial Notes
Elivestory aims to use relevant sources, separate confirmed information from speculation and update important details when reliable new information becomes available.
Jaylin Khan
Jaylin Khan is an entertainment writer at elivestory.com who covers celebrity biographies, entertainment news, digital media and the latest pop culture trends. Drawing information from credible and trusted sources, she combines verified facts with thoughtful opinions to create engaging and informative articles for readers.
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