Jane Ross was the second wife of Bob Ross, the painter behind PBS’s The Joy of Painting. They married in 1977, and Jane became one of the four equal owners of Bob Ross Inc., the company behind his TV show and paint products. She died of cancer in 1992, about three years before Bob’s own death in 1995.
Jane Ross: Quick Facts
| Name | Jane Ross |
| Known as | Second wife of painter Bob Ross |
| Married | 1977 |
| Work | Civilian worker for the US Defense Department; later co-owner of Bob Ross Inc. |
| Business | Equal shareholder in Bob Ross Inc. (formed 1985) |
| Children with Bob | None |
| Died | 1992, of cancer (some reports say 1993) |
Who Was Jane Ross?
According to The Daily Beast, as cited by Distractify, Jane worked as a civilian for the US Defense Department while Bob was serving in the Air Force, where he spent 20 years. The couple later left government work together as Bob set out to build a career teaching painting.
Jane Ross’s Role in Bob Ross Inc.
Jane was a business partner as well as a wife. In 1985, she and Bob formed Bob Ross Inc. with Annette and Walt Kowalski, with the four as equal shareholders, according to People. The company built a business around The Joy of Painting, which aired on PBS from 1983 to 1994, selling the paints, brushes and classes that made Bob a household name.
When Did Jane Ross Die?
Jane died of cancer in 1992. Some sources, including Bob’s New York Times obituary as cited by Grunge, give the year as 1993. Under the company’s rules, her shares were divided equally among the three remaining partners. Bob was diagnosed with lymphoma not long afterwards and died on July 4, 1995, aged 52.
How Many Times Was Bob Ross Married?
Three times. Bob married Vivian Ridge in 1965 and they divorced in 1977; they had a son, Steve Ross, who also became a painter. He married Jane in 1977, and after her death he married Lynda Brown in 1995, about two months before he died.
Our Take
Jane Ross rarely appears in the Bob Ross story, yet she was there for all of it: the move from the military to painting, the founding of the company and the rise of The Joy of Painting. Her early death also shaped what came after, leaving the business in fewer hands just as Bob’s own health was failing.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Jane Ross?
Jane Ross was Bob Ross’s second wife and an equal co-owner of Bob Ross Inc.
When did Bob Ross marry Jane?
They married in 1977.
How did Jane Ross die?
She died of cancer in 1992; some sources give 1993.
Did Bob and Jane Ross have children?
No. Bob’s son, Steve Ross, is from his first marriage to Vivian Ridge.
Sources
- Wikipedia: Bob Ross
- People via AOL: Bob Ross’ death, 30 years later (Jul 4, 2025)
- Distractify: Bob Ross was an international icon, but who was his wife? (Aug 18, 2021)
- Grunge: What the last 12 months of Bob Ross’ life were like (Sep 11, 2020)
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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