Rishia Haas is a name that might not be widely known, but her life story is truly inspiring and worth sharing. She is best recognized as the former wife of Andrew Zimmern, the famous chef and television personality known for exploring unusual foods on shows like Bizarre Foods. However, Rishia’s life is about much more than just her relationship with Andrew. She has lived a quiet, strong, and meaningful life mostly outside the public eye, built around kindness, resilience, and helping others. This article will take a detailed look at her life, including her background, career, marriage, and what she is doing now, to give a full picture of the woman behind the scenes.
Quick Bio
| Personal Details | 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, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Height | 5 feet 5 inches (165 cm) |
| Education | Anoka High School, Augsburg College |
| Occupation | Administrative Assistant, Beekeeper |
| Known For | Former wife of chef Andrew Zimmern |
| Children | One son, Noah Zimmern |
| Estimated Net Worth | Around $3 million |
Early Life and Background
Rishia Haas was born on July 29, 1973, in Champlin, Minnesota, a small town where she grew up in a loving and close family. Her parents, Robert and Karen Haas, raised her alongside two siblings, Jennifer and John, in a supportive environment that deeply influenced her values and character. From her childhood, Rishia showed a caring nature and a quiet determination to help others. She attended Anoka High School in Minnesota and later went to Augsburg College in Minneapolis, where she completed her bachelor’s degree. Unlike many who pursue fame or public life, Rishia chose to build a simple, honest life focused on service, education, and strong family ties. Her early years were marked by steady growth, strong morals, and an aim to make a positive difference in the lives of those around her.
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How Old Is Rishia Haas?
Rishia Haas was born on July 29, 1973, which makes her 51 years old in 2025. She has lived most of her life in Minnesota and has kept a private and calm lifestyle. Even though she is connected to a famous chef, she focuses on her family and personal interests rather than being in the public eye.
What Does Rishia Haas Look Like?
Rishia Haas is about 5 feet 5 inches (165 cm) tall. She has a simple and natural appearance, often keeping a low profile and staying out of the public spotlight. Because she prefers privacy, there aren’t many public photos of her, but those who know her describe her as calm and grounded, reflecting her quiet and strong personality.
Career and Professional Life
Rishia’s professional journey is a reflection of her deep care for people and her skill in supporting them. After college, she took on various roles that allowed her to work behind the scenes while making a real impact. She started working at cooking schools in administrative roles, showing strong organizational skills, but her real passion was in addiction recovery work. She became an Admissions Coordinator at The Retreat, a well-known rehabilitation center in Minnesota, where she helped people battling alcohol and drug addiction find a path to recovery. Later, she worked at the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation, a leading addiction treatment organization, where her dedication and kindness helped many struggling individuals.
Her work was not about fame but about compassion and a steady commitment to healing. In more recent years, she has also embraced beekeeping, joining the University of Minnesota Bee Lab, which reflects her love for nature and calm surroundings. Rishia’s career has always centered on support, care, and quietly making a difference.
Meeting with Andrew Zimmern
The story of how Rishia met Andrew Zimmern is simple and genuine. They first crossed paths in 1999 in Minneapolis at a cooking school where Andrew was teaching and Rishia worked at the attached store. Their meeting wasn’t dramatic or planned; it happened naturally through shared interests, especially their love for food. At the time, Andrew was rebuilding his life after having been homeless and fighting addiction. Rishia’s experience working with addiction recovery gave her a unique understanding of the challenges Andrew faced. This mutual empathy brought them close, and despite a 20-year age difference, they found comfort and strength in one another. Their bond was built on respect, kindness, and support, and from that quiet start, they began their journey together.
Who Is Andrew Zimmern?
Andrew Zimmern is a famous American chef, writer, and TV host known for his adventurous eating and exploring unique foods around the world. He became well-known through his show Bizarre Foods, where he tries unusual dishes and shares stories about different cultures. Before becoming a TV star, Andrew faced tough times, including struggles with addiction and homelessness, but he rebuilt his life with hard work and support. Today, he is respected for his cooking skills, travel shows, and honest storytelling about food and life.
Marriage and Family Life
Rishia and Andrew married in 2002 in a private ceremony with close family and friends. Early in their marriage, Andrew’s career as a TV host was just beginning to take off, and they hoped that his new path would allow them more time as a family. In 2005, their son, Noah Zimmern, was born, bringing joy and deepening their connection. While Andrew traveled the world for filming and media events, Rishia stayed at home, focused on raising Noah and managing the household.
Despite Andrew’s rising fame, Rishia preferred a quiet, private life and did not seek public attention. She worked steadily, balancing her own career while offering emotional and practical support to Andrew during his early days in television. Their family life was filled with love and commitment, though the demands of Andrew’s career made maintaining that balance a challenge over time.
Rishia Haas’s Son
Rishia Haas is a proud mother to her son, Noah Zimmern, who was born in 2005. She has always focused on giving him a loving and stable upbringing. Even after her divorce from Andrew Zimmern, Rishia and Andrew continue to work together to raise Noah with care and respect, making sure he has a happy and healthy life.
Life as Andrew Zimmern’s Wife
Being married to a celebrity chef who constantly traveled was not easy for Rishia. While Andrew explored exotic foods and cultures on camera, she kept the home front stable, raising their son and working daily. Her background in addiction recovery was invaluable in supporting Andrew through his ongoing health challenges. She was his steady rock when things were tough and offered a level of understanding that few others could.
Though Andrew became more famous with each season of his show, Rishia chose to avoid the spotlight, only attending a few events and preferring privacy. Her role was often behind the scenes, quietly maintaining the family’s strength and offering unwavering support. The pressures of Andrew’s career, including long separations, eventually strained their relationship, but throughout, she remained a source of strength and resilience.
Reasons for Divorce and Separation
After nearly 16 years together, Rishia and Andrew decided to separate in 2018. Their growing careers and Andrew’s frequent time away for filming made it difficult to keep their relationship strong. Andrew has openly spoken about how his busy schedule and addiction recovery impacted their marriage. The divorce was quiet and respectful, without public drama or conflict, showing that despite the challenges, there was still mutual respect and care between them. Both remained focused on their son Noah, prioritizing his well-being and committing to co-parenting with kindness and maturity. The end of their marriage marked a new chapter for each of them but did not erase the meaningful years and support they shared.
Life After Divorce
Since the divorce, Rishia has chosen to lead a peaceful and private life, away from the media spotlight. She continues to live in Edina, Minnesota, where she feels most comfortable. She has embraced beekeeping as both a hobby and a way to stay connected with nature, joining the University of Minnesota Bee Lab. This new interest suits her calm and grounded personality, providing a peaceful escape from past stresses. Rishia also remains deeply committed to being a loving and supportive mother to Noah. While Andrew’s life remains busy and public, Rishia enjoys the quiet pleasures of family life, cooking at home, and caring for her bees. Her relationship with Andrew stays respectful and cooperative, focusing on what is best for their son and their own personal growth.
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What Is Rishia Haas Doing Today?
As of 2025, Rishia Haas lives a balanced and fulfilling life on her own terms. She continues working with bees, which reflects her love for nature and her peaceful spirit. Her daily life includes cooking, gardening, and spending quality time with her son. Rishia has never chased fame or public attention, and she maintains no public social media presence. Her estimated net worth is around $3 million, coming from her career, her connection with Andrew, and wise management, but she lives modestly without showing off wealth. She focuses on wellness, family, and the environment, enjoying the simple and meaningful moments that bring her happiness. Rishia’s life today is a testament to quiet strength, resilience, and the joy found in everyday calm.
Conclusion
Rishia Haas is much more than the name behind Andrew Zimmern. She is a woman of kindness, strength, and quiet power. Through her work in addiction recovery, her support during Andrew’s struggles, and her dedication to family, she has shown resilience and grace. Her story is inspiring because it reminds us that not all important lives are lived in the spotlight. Sometimes the most meaningful impact is made through steady support, love, and the choice to live honestly and quietly. Rishia’s journey teaches us that happiness often comes from the simple, everyday moments shared with those we love, and that strength can be found in staying true to oneself even when the world is watching someone else.
FAQs About Rishia Haas
1. Who is Rishia Haas?
Rishia Haas is best known as the former wife of chef and TV personality Andrew Zimmern. She is also a dedicated mother and professional who has worked in healthcare and addiction recovery.
2. How old is Rishia Haas?
Rishia Haas was born on July 29, 1973, making her 51 years old in 2025.
3. Does Rishia Haas have any children?
Yes, she has one son named Noah Zimmern, born in 2005.
4. What does Rishia Haas do for a living?
She has worked as an administrative assistant in healthcare and addiction recovery, and currently enjoys beekeeping with the University of Minnesota Bee Lab.
5. Where does Rishia Haas live now?
Rishia lives in Edina, Minnesota, where she leads a quiet and private life.
6. Is Rishia Haas remarried?
No, Rishia Haas has not remarried since her divorce from Andrew Zimmern in 2018.
7. What is Rishia Haas’s net worth?
Her estimated net worth is around $3 million, coming from her career and her former marriage to Andrew Zimmern.
