Andrew Zimmern is famous for eating strange and interesting foods on TV. But behind his success, there was someone very notable—Rishia Haas. She was his wife for 16 years and helped him through some of the hardest times in his life. Rishia wasn’t in the media, but she was always there, supporting Andrew and helping their family. Her story is simple, honest, and strong.
In this article, we’ll learn more about Rishia Haas, her life before fame, how she met Andrew, what their life was like together, and what she is doing now. Let’s get to know her better.
Quick Facts About Rishia Haas
📛 Full Name: Rishia Haas
🎂 Date of Birth: July 29, 1973
🎉 Age (As of 2025): 51 years old
🏡 Place of Birth: Champlin, Minnesota, USA
🏠 Current Home: Edina, Minnesota
🇺🇸 Nationality: American
📏 Height: 5 feet 5 inches (165 cm)
🎓 Education: Anoka High School & Augsburg College
👩💼 Job: Administrative Assistant & Beekeeper
🧠 Known For: Former wife of chef Andrew Zimmern
👦 Child: One son, Noah Zimmern
💰 Net Worth (Estimated): $3 million
Who Is Rishia Haas?
Many people know Rishia Haas as the former wife of TV chef Andrew Zimmern, but her life is about much more than that. She is a kind, strong, and private woman who has lived most of her life outside the public eye. Even when Andrew traveled the world and appeared on TV, Rishia stayed at home, focused on her family and her job.
She was born and raised in Minnesota, where she lived a quiet and simple life both before and after her marriage. Rishia worked helping people, especially those who were trying to recover from addiction. She also fully supported Andrew as he rebuilt his life.
Even after they divorced, Rishia Haas continued to live with respect and grace. She never looked for fame or attention. As of 2025, she is known not just as Andrew Zimmern’s ex-wife but also as a caring mother, a hard-working woman.
Rishia Haas Life Before Fame
Before fame and public attention, Rishia Haas lived a simple and steady life. She was born on July 29, 1973, in Champlin, Minnesota, and grew up in a loving and close-knit family. Her parents, Robert and Karen Haas, raised her along with her two siblings, Jennifer and John Haas.
She attended Anoka High School, a public school in Minnesota, and later studied at Augsburg College, where she earned her bachelor’s degree. Her focus was never on fame. Instead, she built a life around helping others and working behind the scenes, just like Otelia Cox.
After college, Rishia did different small jobs. She worked at cooking schools and also helped with office work. Later, she got a job at The Retreat, a recovery center in Minnesota. There, she worked as an Admissions Coordinator and helped people who were trying to stop using alcohol or drugs.
Later in 2014, she started working at the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation, a well-known place that helps people with addiction. Her work shows that she really cared about helping others, even before people knew her name in the media.
How Rishia Met Andrew Zimmern
Rishia Haas and Andrew Zimmern first crossed paths in 1999 in Minneapolis. Andrew, who was teaching a cooking class, met Rishia while she was working at the store connected to the school. Their meeting wasn’t planned or dramatic—it happened naturally. They shared a love for food, and their conversations quickly turned into something more.
At the time, Andrew was working hard to rebuild his life. He had been homeless, battling addiction, and was finally finding his way again. Rishia understood the challenges he faced. With her background in recovery work, she offered not only love but also support. That connection helped them grow closer.
Though there was a 20-year age gap between them, it didn’t affect their bond. They found comfort in each other’s presence and decided to build a future together.
Rishia Haas and Andrew Zimmern’s Marriage
Rishia Haas and Andrew Zimmern got married in 2002, just a few years after they met. At the time, Andrew was still early in his media career. He was leaving the restaurant industry behind and stepping into the world of TV. They hoped that his new career would give them more time together as a family.
In 2005, they welcomed their son, Noah Zimmern. It was a joyful time, and Rishia focused on raising their child while Andrew continued to build his new career. In 2006, the first episode of Bizarre Foods aired, and Andrew quickly became a well-known name around the world.
While Andrew often traveled for filming and media events, Rishia kept their home life strong and stable. She didn’t seek fame or attention. Instead, she focused on raising Noah, supporting her husband, and continuing her work in healthcare and recovery.
Their marriage, at least for many years, looked steady and loving from the outside. But things weren’t always easy behind closed doors.
Rishia’s Life as Andrew’s Wife
Being married to someone like Andrew Zimmern was not always easy. While Andrew traveled the world and ate strange foods on TV, Rishia Haas took care of things at home. She raised their son, worked every day, and supported Andrew, especially when he was trying to stay healthy.
Andrew has said many times that Rishia helped him a lot. She understood his struggles with addiction because of her job experience. She gave him strength and stood by him during hard times, even when other people may have walked away.
As Andrew became more famous with each season of Bizarre Foods, Rishia stayed private. She went to a few events with him, but she never enjoyed being in front of cameras. She liked a simple, quiet life at home.
Andrew was always on TV, while Rishia stayed behind the scenes, keeping the family strong. But over time, all that stress and pressure made things harder between them.
Why Their Marriage Ended
As Andrew’s success grew, so did his time away from home. He was always traveling, filming, meeting people, and working on new projects, just like Raquel Pedraza’s Husband. While he was doing well professionally, his family life was beginning to suffer.
Andrew has been very honest about what went wrong. In a 2018 interview with The New York Times, he said:
“I wasn’t there for my wife, and I wasn’t there for my son. My wife gave me a thousand chances to make it right.”
He also admitted that fame came at a cost.
“People have trampled my wife and kid to get to me… I have this business to support.”
By 2018, the couple decided to separate and later divorced. It wasn’t a public fight or a messy breakup. It was a quiet, respectful end to a long relationship. Andrew described the divorce as difficult but amicable, showing that there was still care between them.
As of 2025, their marriage is a part of the past, but their journey together shaped who they both are today.
Rishia Haas’s Life After the Divorce
After the divorce in 2018, Rishia Haas chose a quiet and peaceful path. Instead of staying in the public eye, she focused on her own life and her son, Noah. While Andrew Zimmern continued working on TV shows and food projects, Rishia decided to stay away from media attention.
She continued living in Edina, Minnesota, where she had always felt most comfortable. As per BrandonsRestaurant.com, Rishia took up beekeeping and joined the University of Minnesota Bee Lab. This might sound surprising, but it shows how much she enjoys nature, calm surroundings, and meaningful work.
Even after stepping out of the spotlight, Rishia Haas stayed committed to being a good mother. She and Andrew share parenting duties for their son, and their co-parenting relationship has remained respectful. While she doesn’t share details publicly, sources like Briefly.co.za suggest that she lives a private, steady life focused on wellness, nature, and family.
What Rishia Is Doing Now
In 2025, Rishia Haas is living life on her own terms. She continues working with bees, which is not just a job but a peaceful hobby too. It suits her quiet nature and love for the environment. She also enjoys cooking at home, spending time with her son, and living far away from the chaos of the media.
Even though she was once married to a global TV personality, Rishia never chased fame. She doesn’t appear in interviews, has no public social media presence, and rarely attends public events. Her life now is all about balance, healing, and staying close to what matters most.
According to details, Rishia Haas has an estimated net worth of around $3 million. Most of this comes from her career in healthcare, her time in the nonprofit sector, and her connection with Andrew. But even with that, she lives modestly and doesn’t show off her success.
Final Thoughts
Rishia Haas is not just Andrew Zimmern’s ex-wife. She is a kind and strong woman who helped him through tough times and stood by him when he needed support the most. She didn’t look for fame—she stayed behind the scenes, taking care of her family.
In 2025, Rishia Haas is still living a calm and peaceful life. Whether she’s working with bees or cooking at home, she reminds us that happiness can be found in quiet moments. We hope you found this article helpful and inspiring. Thanks for reading!
(FAQs)
Is Rishia Haas married again?
No, Rishia Haas has not remarried since her divorce from Andrew Zimmern in 2018.
What does Rishia Haas do now?
As of 2025, Rishia works as a beekeeper at the University of Minnesota Bee Lab.
Where is Rishia Haas living?
She lives in Edina, Minnesota, where she has built a calm and peaceful life.
What is Rishia Haas’ age now?
She is 51 years old as of 2025, born on July 29, 1973.
What is Rishia Haas’s net worth?
According to details, her estimated net worth is around $3 million.
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