Legendary game show host Bob Barker died on August 26, 2023, at age 99.
Nancy Burnet shared his enthusiasm for animal rights, which is how the pair first crossed paths.
In 1983, Barker was hosting an animal adoption event.
As Burnet recalled toPeople, she didn’t know much about Barker except that he was on TV.
I said, ‘Well, I don’t know about the ‘wild-eyed’ part.'"
During this time, Barker was at the height of his career in daytime television.
But, Burnet was not interested in walking red carpets on the arm of a celebrity.
Burnet told Today that she preferred to remain more anonymous.
But, they kept their personal business out of the public eye.
Barker supported the United Activists for Animal Rights, a group founded by Burnet.
Their shared passion and commitment to animal rights made them a powerful force.
It was one of many fights they would go into together.
“He was willing to stand up when things were controversial,” Burnet said.
She went on to explain the difference his promotion for having pets spayed and neutered made.
According to Barker’s publicist, Roger Neal, Barker and Gideon were soulmates.
“I think once you find that person, some people don’t want to replace that.”
This was no issue for Burnet, as she felt the same.
However, as time passed, Barker changed his mind and proposed marriage to her more than once.
But Burnet told People that her feelings toward remarrying never changed.
While she was happy to remain by Barker’s side, she never agreed to marry him.
“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.'”
Speaking toEsquirein 2007, Barker appeared to have no regrets about remaining unmarried and child-free.
In my case, I had my marriage and she was the love of my life."
And he never had children with his first wife or his long-time companion Burnet.
In his own words, he didn’t have the time.
“I don’t regret it,” he said.
“Not when so many of my friends are having so much trouble with their children.
I have thirteen ducks, and that’s a lot of work.”
They had separate residences …
I think if he ever contemplated marriage again, it would’ve been with Nancy for sure."
And as we know, Barker did, in fact, propose marriage to Burnet several times.
Burnet valued her privacy and may not have enjoyed the attention of marrying or cohabitating with the TV star.
“She was fine with the way things were.
She loved being his companion, but he did want to marry her,” Neal said.
But keeping separate residences didn’t hurt Barker and Burnet’s closeness.
“I know he loved her,” Neal said.
“I know that she cared deeply for him.”
They got along well and could always be honest with each other.
“He was a person.
I was very honest and direct with him.
Everybody needs someone to keep them at ground level, and I was that person.
I think he could depend on me, and he trusted me and respected me.”
Due to their trust and shared humor, they stayed close and got along well for decades.
He believed they still could have kept each other entertained.
However, that element of their partnership eventually faded out.
Burnet didn’t share any details on the exact timeline of when they were involved.
“People have to have fun together … And so, just like any relationship, we just evolved from there.
But it was very, very much around the work that was done.”
Burnet is 20 years younger than Barker, so she was able to care for him as he aged.
She told Today she oversaw every aspect of his care in hisfinal years.
“It was my pleasure to do it.”
“You know, some people at that age are very gaunt and thin and frail.
He was not,” she said.
“I can’t stress enough the great care that Nancy took of him …
Many more fans and colleagues reached out with their congratulations.
Burnet shared that he spent the day with family and friends at his house.
Many people remember and love him for his time as a game show host.
His work for animal rights was also hugely influential.
“He was aware, of course, of all of that.
He was always grateful for it.”
This encouraged all his viewers to help decrease the amount of animals without homes.
Burnet and Barker also fought for animal welfare in many other areas.
Speaking toPage Six, Burnet talked about Barker’s continuing legacy.
