Celebrity
Rishia Haas Biography: Facts About Andrew Zimmern’s Ex-Wife
When people think of Andrew Zimmern, they often picture him exploring the world on television, tasting unusual foods, and sharing global cultures with millions of viewers. But behind his success was a woman who stood by him during some of his hardest years—Rishia Haas. She may not have been in the spotlight like her former husband, but her influence and presence shaped much of his journey.
Rishia Haas is not just known for being the ex-wife of the celebrity chef. She is a strong, private, and independent woman who built her own life around family, work, and a love of nature. Her story is about dedication, quiet resilience, and choosing peace over fame. This biography takes a closer look at Rishia Haas, her background, her marriage to Andrew Zimmern, their life together, and what she is doing now in 2025.
Quick Bio Information
Full Name: Rishia Haas
Date of Birth: July 29, 1973
Age (As of 2025): 51 Years Old
Place of Birth: Champlin, Minnesota, USA
Current Residence: Edina, Minnesota
Nationality: American
Education: Anoka High School & Augsburg College
Profession: Administrative Assistant & Beekeeper
Known For: Former Wife of Andrew Zimmern
Child: Noah Zimmern
Estimated Net Worth: $3 Million
Who Is Rishia Haas
Rishia Haas is widely recognized because of her marriage to Andrew Zimmern, but her identity extends far beyond that title. She has always chosen a quiet and private path, building her life in Minnesota with strong values and a steady focus on family. While Andrew became a household name, Rishia kept herself grounded, often working in fields that supported recovery and healing.
Her career, her role as a mother, and her personal interests all reflect a woman who values meaning over recognition. Even after her divorce, she never looked for fame or attention. Instead, she continued to live a life based on compassion, modesty, and independence.
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Early Life And Education
Rishia Haas was born on July 29, 1973, in Champlin, Minnesota. She grew up in a loving family, raised by her parents Robert and Karen Haas, alongside her siblings Jennifer and John. Her childhood was rooted in the simplicity and community of Minnesota life, something that shaped her calm and steady personality.
She attended Anoka High School, a well-regarded public school in the state, before moving on to Augsburg College in Minneapolis. There, she pursued her higher education and developed her interests further. Education and community engagement were always important to her, and these experiences gave her a strong foundation for her future career choices.
Career Before Fame
Unlike Andrew Zimmern’s high-profile culinary career, Rishia Haas built her work life quietly but meaningfully. Early on, she worked in different roles, including administrative positions and jobs at cooking schools. These roles gave her experience in organization and people support, skills that later became central to her career.
Her most important professional contributions came in the field of recovery services. She worked at The Retreat in Minnesota as an Admissions Coordinator, helping people struggling with alcohol and drug addiction. In 2014, she joined the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation, one of the most respected centers for addiction treatment in the United States. Her work showed her compassion and dedication to helping others rebuild their lives.
How Rishia Haas Met Andrew Zimmern
The story of how Rishia Haas met Andrew Zimmern feels both ordinary and extraordinary. In 1999, their paths crossed in Minneapolis. Andrew was teaching a cooking class at a school, and Rishia was working at the store connected to it. Their meeting was natural, not staged, and it led to conversations about food, life, and shared values.
At that time, Andrew was still rebuilding his life after years of battling addiction and even experiencing homelessness. Rishia, with her background in recovery work, understood what he was going through. She provided not only companionship but also encouragement and emotional support. Their connection grew quickly, and soon they were inseparable despite their twenty-year age difference.
Marriage And Family Life With Andrew Zimmern
Rishia Haas and Andrew Zimmern married in 2002, just a few years after meeting. Their wedding marked the beginning of a new chapter, one filled with both joy and challenges. Andrew was moving away from the restaurant business and toward media, with the hope that television would provide more stability for their family.
In 2005, they welcomed their son, Noah Zimmern. Becoming parents was a joyful moment that brought them even closer. As Andrew’s career expanded—especially after the launch of Bizarre Foods in 2006—Rishia focused on home life. She chose not to appear in the media spotlight and instead raised Noah with dedication while continuing her work in the recovery field.
Challenges In Their Marriage
Life as the wife of a traveling television host was not always easy. Andrew Zimmern’s career took him all over the world, often for long stretches of time. While he was on the road, Rishia kept things steady at home, balancing work, parenting, and supporting Andrew from a distance.
Andrew himself has admitted in interviews that he was not always present as a husband or father. The pressures of fame, constant travel, and work commitments placed strain on their relationship. Rishia’s strength and patience carried the marriage for many years, but the challenges eventually took their toll.
Divorce And Why The Marriage Ended
After sixteen years of marriage, Rishia Haas and Andrew Zimmern divorced in 2018. Their separation was not public or bitter. Instead, it was described as quiet and respectful. Andrew openly admitted that he was not there for his family as much as he should have been, despite Rishia giving him many chances to make things right.
Their divorce was handled with care, particularly for the sake of their son Noah. While their marriage ended, their commitment to co-parenting remained strong. Even after parting ways, they continued to respect each other and work together as parents.
Life After Divorce
Following her divorce, Rishia Haas chose to live a life of peace and privacy. She remained in Minnesota, building her home and focusing on what mattered most—her son. Rather than entering the media or using her connection to Andrew for recognition, she maintained her independence and carried on with her career and personal interests.
One of the most unique aspects of her post-divorce life has been her passion for beekeeping. She became involved with the University of Minnesota Bee Lab, where she continues to spend time working with bees and learning more about nature. This step reflects her love for calm, balance, and meaningful engagement with the environment.
What Rishia Haas Is Doing Now
As of 2025, Rishia Haas is living in Edina, Minnesota, where she enjoys a quiet and fulfilling life. She is 51 years old and continues to be an active presence in her son Noah’s life. Her work with bees at the University of Minnesota remains a central part of her daily routine, blending both profession and passion.
Her estimated net worth is about $3 million, built through her professional roles, nonprofit work, and her life alongside Andrew. However, she lives modestly and avoids the kind of lavish lifestyle often linked to celebrities. Her days are centered on family, wellness, and nature, far from the noise of the media world.
Rishia Haas’s Role As A Mother
More than anything else, Rishia Haas is known for her devotion to her son. Raising Noah has been her top priority both during her marriage and after her divorce. She has provided him with a stable, loving environment despite the challenges of a high-profile family.
Rishia and Andrew share parenting duties, and their respectful co-parenting relationship has helped Noah grow in a balanced way. Her choice to stay private also reflects her desire to protect her son from unnecessary media attention.
Net Worth And Lifestyle
Although she is not a celebrity, Rishia Haas has built a comfortable life. Her estimated net worth of $3 million comes from her steady career in administrative work, her contributions in nonprofit organizations, and her years with Andrew Zimmern. She has never displayed her wealth or used it for status. Instead, she continues to live modestly in Minnesota, valuing peace, family, and nature over luxury.
Interesting Facts About Rishia Haas
Rishia Haas has many qualities that make her story interesting. She was twenty years younger than Andrew when they met, but their age difference never weakened their bond. She worked in addiction recovery even before meeting Andrew, which gave her a deep understanding of his struggles. She later developed a love for beekeeping, a surprising but fitting passion for someone who enjoys quiet and natural surroundings. Perhaps most notably, she has consistently chosen privacy over public attention, even when she had the opportunity to step into the spotlight.
Final Thoughts
The story of Rishia Haas is a reminder that not every influential person seeks the spotlight. While her marriage to Andrew Zimmern connected her to fame, she always stood apart from it, choosing a private and meaningful life. She was a supportive partner, a loving mother, and a strong individual who carried herself with grace during both joyful and difficult times.
In 2025, she continues to live life on her own terms. Whether through her work in recovery, her love of beekeeping, or her dedication to her son, Rishia Haas shows that fulfillment often comes from the quietest corners of life.
FAQs About Rishia Haas
Is Rishia Haas Married Again?
No, Rishia Haas has not remarried since her divorce from Andrew Zimmern in 2018. She has chosen to remain private and focused on her family.
Where Does Rishia Haas Live Now?
She currently lives in Edina, Minnesota, where she enjoys a quiet life close to nature.
What Is Rishia Haas’s Age In 2025?
She is 51 years old, born on July 29, 1973.
Does Rishia Haas Have Children?
Yes, she has one son, Noah Zimmern, born in 2005, whom she co-parents with Andrew Zimmern.
What Does Rishia Haas Do Now?
She is involved in beekeeping at the University of Minnesota Bee Lab and continues to work on personal and family life away from the media.
What Is Rishia Haas’s Net Worth?
Her estimated net worth is around $3 million, earned from her career in healthcare, nonprofit work, and life with Andrew.
Why Did Rishia Haas And Andrew Zimmern Divorce?
Their marriage ended in 2018 largely due to Andrew’s demanding career, which kept him away from home. Andrew himself admitted that he was not always present for his family.