Bob Barker, the beloved former host of “The Price is Right,” reportedly entered a deep depression after the passing of his wife, Dorothy Jo Gideon, as revealed by his colleagues in E!’s new docuseries “Dirty Rotten Scandal.”
Producer Barbara Hunter recounted that Barker was “prepared to take his own life” following Gideon’s death in 1981, which occurred just two months after she was diagnosed with lung cancer.
“That’s what he told me,” Hunter affirmed.
Holly Hallstrom, one of the models on the show, noted that Barker was “really… devastated” by his wife’s loss and experienced a prolonged period of mourning.
However, she added that eventually, he transformed into “Mr. Man About Town.” She suggested that he felt liberated after realizing he was the star of daytime television, but without Dorothy Jo by his side, it seemed he had lost direction.
Hallstrom observed, “It was like he had been let loose and turned into a narcissistic egomaniac.”
Barker and Gideon were high school sweethearts who married in January 1945.
The couple enjoyed 36 years of marriage before Gideon passed away at 57.
After her death, Barker dated Nancy Barnett, though he never remarried. Barnett and Barker became a notable couple after their partnership began in 1983, and following his passing at 99 in 2023, she expressed deep gratitude for their long friendship.
“We’ve been great friends for the last 40 years,” she explained, reflecting on their relationship.
Barker is recognized as the longest-serving host of “The Price is Right,” having hosted from 1972 until 2007.
In the documentary “Dirty Rotten Scandal,” Hallstrom also discussed allegations of Barker’s affair with model Diane Parkinson while he was with Barnett. She mentioned the impact this had on set dynamics, indicating that “it took a toll” and contributed to significant conflicts.
Hallstrom further claimed that Barker discouraged women from voicing complaints about harassment in the workplace.
If a woman approached him with a concern, she noted, he often told her to “get over it or else find a new job.”
“Dirty Rotten Scandal” is set to premiere on E! Wednesday at 9 PM ET.
If you or someone you know is affected by the issues discussed in this article, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255) or text the Crisis Text Line at 741741.
