Rishia Haas is a name that gained public attention primarily through her marriage to famous chef and television personality Andrew Zimmern. She has maintained a notably private life despite her connection to a celebrity figure. This article explores everything known about Rishia Haas, from her early life to her career and her high-profile marriage.
The story of Rishia Haas offers a glimpse into the challenges faced by those married to public figures. Her journey from a private individual to a public figure and back to privacy is both fascinating and instructive.
Quick Bio Table
| Attribute | Details |
| Full Name | Rishia Haas |
| Known As | Ex-wife of Andrew Zimmern |
| Date of Birth | July 29, 1973 |
| Age | 53 years old |
| Birthplace | Anoka, Minnesota, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | White |
| Education | Augsburg College, Minneapolis |
| Profession | Recovery support expert, administrative assistant and philanthropist |
| Known For | Marriage to Andrew Zimmern |
| Ex-Husband | Andrew Zimmern (m. 2002 – div. 2020) |
| Children | 1 (Son: Noah Zimmern, born 2005) |
| Current Residence | Minnesota, USA |
| Net Worth | Estimated $5 million |
| Social Media | None (Completely private) |
Who Is Rishia Haas?
Rishia Haas is best known as the former wife of Andrew Zimmern, the Emmy-winning host of “Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern.” She is an American administrative assistant and beekeeper who worked at the MN Bee Lab . Unlike her famous ex-husband, Haas has deliberately stayed away from the spotlight throughout her life.
She worked as an administrative assistant at the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation, a well-known drug and alcohol treatment center . Her professional background includes working at a cooking school where she first encountered her future husband.
Rishia Haas has no public social media presence and rarely appears in the media. Her absence from platforms like Instagram and Twitter makes her an intriguing figure . This deliberate privacy has only increased curiosity about her life.
Rishia Haas’ Early Life and Background
Rishia Haas was born in Anoka, Minnesota, USA, though her exact birth date remains undisclosed . She grew up in this midwestern state and attended Anoka High School for her secondary education . Her early life details remain largely private, as she has never shared extensive information about her childhood.
She holds American nationality and belongs to white ethnicity . The identities of her parents and any siblings have never been made public. This lack of personal information reflects her consistent preference for privacy throughout her life.
Rishia Haas’ Education and Career
Rishia Haas attended Augsburg College in Minneapolis, where she earned her bachelor’s degree . Following her education, she began working professionally and established a career before meeting Andrew Zimmern. She initially worked as an Admissions Coordinator at The Retreat Alive company, which focused on recovery services.
She later worked at a cooking school in Minnesota, where she eventually met Andrew Zimmern . Her career path later included working as an administrative assistant at the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation . This position at a prominent treatment center aligned with her husband’s recovery journey.
Beyond her administrative work, Haas is also a beekeeper at the MN Bee Lab . This unique profession shows her connection to nature and sustainable living practices. Her professional life has been diverse, ranging from administrative roles to agricultural work.
Rishia Haas’ Age and Personal Details
Rishia Haas was born on July 29, 1973, which makes her 53 years old as of 2026. Her full name is Rishia Anne Haas, and she was born in Anoka, Minnesota, USA. She holds American nationality and comes from a white ethnic background.
She stands approximately 167 cm tall, though this detail comes from unverified sources. Information about her physical appearance has never been publicly confirmed by Haas herself. Her preference for privacy means that even basic personal details remain largely undocumented.
Haas attended Augsburg College in Minneapolis for her higher education. Her educational background helped her build a career before and during her marriage to Andrew Zimmern. Despite her connection to a famous celebrity, she has always maintained a low public profile.
Rishia Haas and Andrew Zimmern’s Relationship
Rishia Haas and Andrew Zimmern first met in 1999 while he was teaching a cooking class at a school in Minnesota . At that time, Haas worked in a store within the same school compound . Their shared love of cooking created an instant connection between them.
The couple began dating shortly after their initial meeting. They tied the knot on December 26, 2002, in a private ceremony at St. Paul Judge Roseanne Nathanson’s chambers in Minneapolis . A month later, they celebrated their marriage with a larger reception for family and friends.
Andrew Zimmern described their relationship as being built on mutual understanding. He had overcome significant personal challenges before meeting Haas, including addiction issues that had left him homeless at one point . Haas’s work at treatment centers may have made her uniquely equipped to support him.
Marriage, Family and Children
Rishia Haas and Andrew Zimmern welcomed their only child, son Noah Zimmern, on February 2005 . The family resided together in Edina, Minnesota, for many years. Their son Noah has grown up away from the public eye, reflecting his mother’s preference for privacy.
The couple appeared to have a healthy relationship for many years. One year after Noah’s birth, “Bizarre Foods” premiered, making Andrew Zimmern a household name . This sudden fame would eventually put immense pressure on their marriage.
Zimmern had hoped that leaving the restaurant business for television would provide more family time . The reality proved to be quite different, however. His increasingly demanding schedule created distance between him and his family.
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Why Did Rishia Haas and Andrew Zimmern Divorce?
Andrew Zimmern publicly acknowledged that his career was the primary reason for their marriage breakdown. He admitted, “I wasn’t there for my wife, and I wasn’t there for my son” . His relentless work schedule and growing fame consumed most of his time and attention.
Zimmern revealed that Haas gave him “a thousand chances to make it right” . Despite his intentions to balance work and family, he found himself unable to meet her expectations. The marriage ended in 2018 after 16 years together.
The divorce was finalized in March 2020, approximately 15 months after the couple announced their separation . Zimmern described the split as “difficult but amicable” in interviews with The New York Times . He accepted responsibility for the failure of their marriage without placing blame on Haas.
Rishia Haas’ Life After Divorce
Following the divorce, Rishia Haas has continued to maintain a very private life. She reportedly received primary custody of their son Noah . She and Zimmern chose to co-parent their son while living separately.
Zimmern has expressed deep admiration and respect for Haas even after their divorce. On Mother’s Day 2020, he posted a photo on Instagram calling her “the bravest mom” he knows . He praised her for “walking through fires that no one else can even approach” for their son.
The challenges of co-parenting after divorce appear to have been handled maturely by both parties. Zimmern has stated his goal is to be “the best dad and the best ex” he can be . This reflects a commitment to maintaining a positive relationship for their child’s sake.
Where Is Rishia Haas Now?
Rishia Haas currently resides in the Minnesota area, continuing her preference for a private life away from media attention. She remains largely invisible to the public eye with no active social media presence. There is no information about her current romantic relationships or personal activities.
Her main focus appears to be raising her son Noah away from the spotlight. She has chosen to build a life separate from the fame that surrounds her ex-husband. Those who know her describe her as someone who values privacy above all else.
Haas’s decision to remain out of the public eye is unusual for someone connected to such a famous figure. She has not given interviews or made public appearances since the divorce. This deliberate choice to avoid fame speaks volumes about her personality and priorities.
What Is Known About Rishia Haas’ Net Worth?
Rishia Haas has an estimated net worth of approximately $5 million according to some sources . However, other reports estimate her wealth at around $1 million . This discrepancy reflects the lack of verified information about her finances.
She accumulated her wealth through her professional career as an administrative assistant and beekeeper. Her annual salary as a TV producer was reportedly around $41,000 before her marriage . Her ex-husband, by contrast, has a net worth of approximately $14 million from his successful television career .
Zimmern earns around $35,000 per episode of “Bizarre Foods” . However, Haas’s personal finances are separate from his wealth since their divorce. Her estimated net worth comes primarily from her own earnings and likely some divorce settlement.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is Rishia Haas known for?
Rishia Haas is primarily known as the former wife of celebrity chef Andrew Zimmern. She is also recognized as a beekeeper and former administrative assistant at the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation . Her claim to fame comes entirely through her former marriage to the “Bizarre Foods” host.
2. When was Rishia Haas born?
Rishia Haas’s exact birth date has never been publicly confirmed. She was born in Anoka, Minnesota, USA, but has kept her age private. This lack of information is consistent with her overall preference for privacy.
3. What does Rishia Haas do?
Rishia Haas previously worked as an administrative assistant at various organizations, including the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation . She has also worked as a beekeeper at the MN Bee Lab . Her current profession is not publicly known.
4. Does Rishia Haas have children?
Yes, Rishia Haas has one son named Noah Zimmern, born on February 25, 2005 . Noah is her only child with her ex-husband Andrew Zimmern. He currently lives primarily with his mother.
5. Is Rishia Haas still married to Andrew Zimmern?
No, Rishia Haas and Andrew Zimmern are no longer married. They announced their split in 2018 and finalized their divorce in March 2020 . The divorce ended their 16-year marriage.
Conclusion
Rishia Haas represents a rare figure in celebrity culture—someone who married a famous person but deliberately chose to remain out of the spotlight. Her story is one of a private individual thrust into public awareness through her marriage to Andrew Zimmern. Throughout her time in the public eye, she maintained her dignity and privacy without ever seeking media attention.
Today, Rishia Haas lives a quiet life in Minnesota, focused on raising her son Noah away from public scrutiny. She remains a model of grace and privacy in an era of social media oversharing. Her choice to value a private life over public attention is both admirable and increasingly rare in modern times.
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