Rishia Haas is best known as the former wife of famous chef and TV host Andrew Zimmern, but her life story is much more than just being married to a celebrity. She is a strong, private woman who has built her own meaningful life away from the cameras and public attention.
While her ex-husband travels the world eating unusual foods on television, Rishia chose a different path. She dedicated her life to helping others, raising her son, and living peacefully in Minnesota. Her story shows us that not everyone connected to fame wants to be famous themselves.
Detailed Bio Table
| Full Name | Rishia Haas |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | July 29, 1973 |
| Age (2025) | 51 years old |
| Birthplace | Champlin, Minnesota, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Education | Anoka High School, Augsburg College |
| Profession | Administrative Professional, Recovery Advocate, Beekeeper |
| Known For | Ex-wife of Andrew Zimmern |
| Marital Status | Divorced (2018) |
| Ex-Husband | Andrew Zimmern (TV Chef) |
| Children | One son, Noah Zimmern (born 2005) |
| Current Residence | Edina, Minnesota |
Early Life and Education
Rishia Haas was born on July 29, 1973, in Champlin, Minnesota, a quiet city near Minneapolis. She grew up in a loving family that taught her important values like hard work, kindness, and helping others. Her parents, Robert and Karen Haas, made sure she understood the importance of education and being a good person.
As a young girl, Rishia was calm, thoughtful, and smart. She did well in school and liked helping people in her community. She attended Anoka High School, where she was a good student and participated in volunteer programs. These early experiences helped shape her caring personality.
After finishing high school, Rishia went to Augsburg College in Minneapolis. This college is known for focusing on community service and helping others. She earned her degree and learned skills in communication and leadership. Her time at Augsburg made her even more interested in helping people who face difficult challenges in life.
How She Met Andrew Zimmern
Rishia’s life changed when she met Andrew Zimmern in 1999. At that time, Andrew was teaching cooking classes at a school in Minnesota. Rishia worked at a store inside the same school. They started talking, found common interests, and began dating.
When they met, Andrew was rebuilding his life. He had faced serious problems with drugs and alcohol in the past and even experienced homelessness. But he got help, became sober, and was starting fresh. Rishia understood his struggles because she worked in recovery centers helping people with similar problems. She never judged him for his past. Instead, she offered patience and support.
Even though there was about a 20-year age difference between them, it did not matter. They communicated well and respected each other deeply. Their friendship slowly turned into love.
Marriage and Family Life
Rishia and Andrew got married on December 26, 2002, in a small, private ceremony in Minneapolis. Only close friends and family attended. The wedding was simple and warm, just like Rishia’s personality. She never liked big, fancy events or being in the spotlight.
Three years later, in 2005, their son Noah was born. Rishia became a devoted mother who focused on giving her son a stable and loving home. While Andrew’s career was taking off and he was traveling around the world filming his TV show “Bizarre Foods,” Rishia stayed home taking care of Noah and managing their household.
During this time, Andrew became very famous. His show was popular, and he was constantly busy with work. But Rishia chose to stay away from cameras and interviews. She valued privacy and wanted to keep her family life normal and peaceful.
Professional Career
Rishia built a career helping others, which shows her caring nature. She worked in administrative roles at recovery centers in Minnesota. Two of the most important places she worked were The Retreat and the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation. Both are well known organizations that help people recover from drug and alcohol addiction.
Her work was meaningful because she helped people during their most difficult times. She understood the challenges they faced and provided support with patience and kindness. This experience also helped her understand Andrew’s own recovery journey better.
Later in life, Rishia discovered a new passion: beekeeping. She became involved with the University of Minnesota Bee Lab, where she learned about bee conservation and sustainable living. Beekeeping gave her peace and connected her with nature. It requires patience and care, which matches her calm personality perfectly.
The Challenges of Marriage
Being married to someone famous is not easy. Andrew’s career required him to travel constantly to faraway places for long periods. He was often gone filming his show, meeting new people, and exploring different cultures. While this made him successful and famous, it also put pressure on his marriage.
Andrew himself admitted that he was not always a good husband. He said Rishia gave him “a thousand chances” to make things right, but his busy schedule and focus on work made it difficult to keep their relationship strong. The distance and time apart slowly created problems between them.
By 2018, after 16 years of marriage, Rishia and Andrew decided to separate. The divorce was difficult for both of them, but Andrew described it as amicable, meaning they ended things respectfully and without anger.
Life After Divorce
After the divorce, Rishia continued living her private life in Minnesota. She focused on raising her son and maintaining her peaceful lifestyle. Even though their marriage ended, Rishia and Andrew stayed committed to co-parenting Noah. They both wanted their son to grow up happy and healthy.
Andrew has spoken publicly about Rishia with great respect. On Mother’s Day 2020, he posted a message calling her “the bravest mom” he knows. This shows that despite their divorce, they still care about each other and work together as parents.
Today, Rishia lives in Edina, Minnesota, where she continues her work with beekeeping and stays involved in community projects. She remains a private person who does not seek attention or fame. Her life is focused on family, nature, and helping others.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who is Rishia Haas?
Rishia Haas is the ex-wife of celebrity chef Andrew Zimmern. She is an American woman who worked in recovery centers helping people with addiction problems and now enjoys beekeeping in Minnesota.
2. When did Rishia Haas and Andrew Zimmern get married?
They got married on December 26, 2002, in a small private ceremony in Minneapolis. They were married for 16 years before divorcing in 2018.
3. Do Rishia Haas and Andrew Zimmern have children?
Yes, they have one son named Noah Zimmern, who was born in 2005. Both parents continue to co-parent him even after their divorce.
4. What does Rishia Haas do for work?
Rishia has worked in administrative positions at recovery centers including The Retreat and Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation. She also practices beekeeping and works with the University of Minnesota Bee Lab.
5. Why did Rishia Haas and Andrew Zimmern divorce?
They divorced in 2018 because Andrew’s demanding career and constant traveling put too much pressure on their marriage. Andrew admitted he was not there enough for his family, and despite many chances, they could not make it work. However, they ended their marriage respectfully and remain good co-parents.
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