Rishia Haas: What to Know About Andrew Zimmern’s Former Wife, Her Age, Career, and Life Today

In the realm of modern culinary television, Andrew Zimmern is celebrated globally as a four-time James Beard Award-winning chef, author, and charismatic host of Travel Channel's iconic franchise Bizarre Foods. His globetrotting adventures exposed millions of viewers to diverse food traditions and remote cultural landscapes. Yet during the pivotal sixteen years in which Zimmern rebuilt his life, launched his media empire, and achieved international fame, his steady anchor was his former wife, Rishia Haas.

Far from merely being a celebrity spouse, Haas built an accomplished, independent career in healthcare administration and community wellness. Working with prestigious institutions such as the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation and The Emily Program, she has dedicated decades to supporting individuals through substance recovery and behavioral healthcare. Today, following their amicable 2018 separation, Haas continues to model personal grace, professional dedication, and collaborative parenting in Minnesota.

Who Is Rishia Haas?

Rishia Haas is an American healthcare administrative professional and philanthropist from Minneapolis, Minnesota. While widely known in the media as the former wife of celebrity chef Andrew Zimmern, Haas is respected in her own right across Minnesota’s non-profit and healthcare communities for her extensive work in behavioral health, addiction recovery support, and clinical administration.

Throughout their 16-year marriage, Haas stood beside Zimmern as he transformed from a recovering addict into one of the most recognizable culinary broadcasters in the world. Despite his soaring public profile, Haas chose to remain rooted in the Midwest, maintaining her independent professional identity and providing their son with a balanced, unpretentious upbringing.

Her Early Life, Education, and Exact Age

Rishia Anne Haas was born in 1978 in Minnesota. She grew up in a grounded Midwestern environment that emphasized education, community responsibility, and compassion for others. As of 2026, Rishia Haas is 48 years old.

Following high school, Haas enrolled at Augsburg University in Minneapolis, where she pursued undergraduate studies in communications and social sciences. Her collegiate education equipped her with strong organizational, interpersonal, and managerial skills that later became the cornerstone of her administrative leadership roles in healthcare organizations.

Professional Career in Healthcare Administration and Philanthropy

Rather than seeking commercial opportunities connected with her husband's television success, Haas built a distinguished career in nonprofit administration. She began working with the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation, a national leader in addiction treatment and recovery services, where she served as an administrative assistant and outreach coordinator.

Later, Haas joined The Emily Program, a nationally renowned organization specializing in the treatment of eating disorders and related behavioral health challenges. In her role as an administrative coordinator, she managed patient services, coordinated interdisciplinary medical teams, and facilitated patient-family communications. Her empathetic nature and organizational rigor earned her deep respect among colleagues and clinicians.

Throughout her career in the Twin Cities, Haas has also served on regional community advisory committees focused on family wellness and accessible adolescent healthcare in Hennepin County. Her colleagues often praise her grounded communication style and ability to help families navigate complex treatment programs with compassion and practical support.

Meeting Andrew Zimmern and Their 16-Year Marriage

Rishia Haas met Andrew Zimmern in the late 1990s in Minneapolis. At the time, Zimmern was teaching culinary classes at a local community cooking school where Haas was employed in the school store. Despite a 17-year age difference, the two discovered an immediate mutual connection rooted in humor, literature, and shared life perspectives.

After a courtship spanning several years, the couple exchanged vows on December 26, 2002, in an intimate winter ceremony at St. Paul’s Judge Roseanne Nathanson’s chambers, followed by a celebratory reception surrounded by close friends and Minneapolis chefs. In the years following their wedding, Zimmern’s concept for Bizarre Foods was greenlit by Travel Channel, sending him on grueling international filming expeditions across more than 170 countries.

Their Son Noah Zimmern and Family Priorities

On February 25, 2005, the couple welcomed their son, Noah Zimmern. With Andrew spending upwards of 250 days per year traveling across remote corners of the globe for filming, the responsibility of organizing daily family life, schooling, and household management fell largely on Rishia’s capable shoulders.

Haas took deliberate steps to shield Noah from media attention, ensuring he enjoyed standard childhood experiences in suburban Minneapolis. She encouraged his academic growth, athletic activities, and community service. Zimmern frequently acknowledged in interviews that without Rishia’s unwavering support and stability at home, his global television career simply would not have been possible.

The 2018 Amicable Separation and Ongoing Friendship

In 2018, after sixteen years of marriage, Haas and Zimmern announced their mutual decision to separate and divorce. Unlike sensational celebrity breakups, their separation was characterized by profound mutual respect, maturity, and genuine affection. In public statements, Zimmern candidly explained that his relentless travel schedule had taken an inevitable toll on their romantic partnership, while emphasizing that Haas remained his best friend and trusted confidante.

In a dignified manner reminiscent of the mature separations chronicled in our analyses of Juanita Vanoy and Marlene Knaus, Haas and Zimmern chose to prioritize their son’s emotional well-being above all else. They continued to celebrate holidays, family birthdays, and milestones together, maintaining an exemplary co-parenting partnership that has earned widespread admiration.

Rishia Haas Net Worth and Financial Independence

As of 2026, Rishia Haas has an estimated personal net worth of $1 Million to $2 Million. This wealth reflects her own professional career in healthcare administration, prudent financial planning, and the equitable terms of her 2018 divorce settlement.

Andrew Zimmern, whose net worth is estimated at over $14 million through television production companies, restaurant ventures, and endorsement deals, has consistently ensured that Haas and their son are generously provided for. Haas continues to live comfortably in the Twin Cities area, maintaining a modest, purpose-driven lifestyle.

Where Is Rishia Haas Today?

Today, Rishia Haas lives a peaceful and active life in Minneapolis. She remains deeply engaged in local healthcare and social causes, supporting community initiatives focused on mental health resources and recovery programs. With her son Noah now an adult pursuing his own collegiate and professional endeavors, Haas enjoys spending time with longtime friends, gardening, traveling, and contributing to Midwestern cultural life.

Her journey illustrates that personal identity need not be defined by proximity to culinary fame. Through quiet dignity, professional excellence, and maternal devotion, Rishia Haas has built an enduring legacy of integrity and grace.

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