Rishia Haas: What Happened to Andrew Zimmern’s Ex-Wife After the Divorce?

You’ve probably heard of Andrew Zimmern — the guy who travels the world eating strange and wild foods on TV. But not many people know the woman who stood by him when his life was falling apart. That woman is Rishia Haas, his ex-wife.

Rishia Haas may not be famous like Andrew, but her story is just as interesting. She helped Andrew through tough times, raised their child, and built a peaceful life away from the cameras. So, what happened to her after the divorce? Where is she now? Let’s find out everything in this article.

Rishia Haas Quick Bio

Who Is Rishia Haas?

Rishia Haas is best known as Andrew Zimmern’s ex-wife, but she is much more than that. She is a strong, calm, and private woman who lived most of her life away from the media. While Andrew became famous on shows like Bizarre Foods, Rishia stayed behind the scenes.

She didn’t want attention or fame. She was more focused on helping others and building a good life for her family. Even today, many people are curious about her because she’s lived such a quiet and graceful life.

Rishia Haas Early Life and Family

Rishia Haas was born on July 29, 1973, in Champlin, Minnesota. She grew up in a simple, loving family. Her parents are Robert and Karen Haas, and she has two siblings — Jennifer and John. They had a normal Midwestern life, filled with family time and strong values.

She went to Anoka High School, where she was a good student. Later, she studied at Augsburg College, a local school in Minnesota. From the start, Rishia lived a quiet and grounded life. Nothing flashy. Just kind, steady, and thoughtful.

Education and Career Beginnings

After finishing college, Rishia didn’t go chasing big dreams or media jobs. Instead, she took up regular work in places where she could help people. Her first jobs were in cooking schools, where she worked behind the scenes as an administrator.

One of these cooking schools would change her life — because that’s where she met Andrew Zimmern. But before that, she was already building a career in the field of addiction recovery and support, something she was deeply passionate about. Her early work showed she cared about people, especially those going through hard times.

How Rishia Met Andrew Zimmern

The love story of Rishia Haas and Andrew Zimmern started in a quiet and simple way. In 1999, Andrew was teaching a cooking class at a school in Minnesota. Rishia was working in the school’s store. They met there and slowly got to know each other.

At the time, Andrew was trying to rebuild his life. He had battled addiction and was finally getting better. Rishia understood him, not just as a partner but as someone who worked in recovery services. That made their connection even stronger. They didn’t care about the 20-year age gap — they cared about each other’s hearts.

Rishia Haas and Andrew Zimmern’s Marriage

After dating for a few years, Rishia and Andrew got married on December 26, 2002, in Minneapolis. Their wedding was simple and personal, not full of media or fancy events. They were just two people in love, ready to build a life together.

In 2005, they welcomed their son Noah, which was a joyful moment for both of them. Around this time, Andrew’s career was taking off. He left the restaurant world and started his famous TV show Bizarre Foods. While he traveled and tasted wild things on camera, Rishia stayed home to care for Noah and keep the family together.

The Role Rishia Played in Andrew Zimmern’s Recovery

Andrew Zimmern has openly shared that he had a serious problem with alcohol and drug addiction. At one point, he was homeless, stealing to survive, and in very bad shape. But he got help and started to turn his life around.

A big part of that healing was Rishia Haas. She supported him fully during his recovery. Since she worked in addiction recovery herself, she understood how hard it was. She didn’t just offer love — she offered real help. Rishia was patient, kind, and strong during those difficult years.

She gave Andrew the chance to start fresh. And thanks to her support, he went from being in recovery to becoming one of the most well-known food TV hosts in the world.

Why Their Marriage Ended

Even though their marriage started strong, things slowly became harder over time. Andrew’s TV career exploded. He was always on the road, filming, working, and appearing at food events. That meant less time at home with Rishia and Noah.

Andrew later admitted in an interview that he was not there for his wife or his son. He said Rishia gave him “a thousand chances” to fix things. But the stress of fame, travel, and pressure became too much. In 2018, after 16 years of marriage, the couple decided to get a divorce.

It wasn’t messy or full of drama. Andrew called it “difficult but respectful.” They still cared about each other, but they knew it was time to go their separate ways.

Rishia Haas After the Divorce

After the divorce in 2018, Rishia Haas decided not to stay in the spotlight. While Andrew Zimmern continued appearing on TV and in the media, Rishia quietly stepped away from public life. She didn’t give interviews or make big announcements. She just moved forward with her life, one day at a time.

She chose peace and privacy. Her main focus was her son Noah, and she stayed in Edina, Minnesota, where she had lived for years. There were no rumors, no drama, and no new relationships in the news. She just wanted a calm, simple life — and that’s exactly what she built.

Her Current Life in 2025

In 2025, Rishia Haas is living a quiet and peaceful life. She’s not on social media and doesn’t attend events. But those who know her say she is happy and doing well. She enjoys being close to nature, spending time with her son, and staying away from the busy world of fame.

One surprising thing about her life now is that she became a beekeeper. Yes — she works with bees! She joined the University of Minnesota Bee Lab, where she helps take care of bee colonies and studies their behavior. It’s a peaceful job that fits her calm personality.

For Rishia, working with bees brings joy. She likes being outdoors, learning new things, and doing quiet work that matters. Beekeeping may seem like a big change from her old life, but in a way, it shows how much she loves healing and helping — just like she did in her earlier career.

What Does Rishia Haas Do for Work?

Before becoming a beekeeper, Rishia Haas worked for many years in addiction recovery centers. She was an admissions coordinator at The Retreat, a place that helps people heal from alcohol problems. Then, in 2014, she joined the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation, one of the top treatment centers in the U.S.

Her work there was serious and important. She helped people take the first step toward recovery. It wasn’t easy work, but it mattered. She made a difference in people’s lives, just like she did in Andrew’s life during his recovery years.

Now, even though she works with bees instead of people, that same caring spirit is still there. Whether it’s helping someone through addiction or protecting the environment, Rishia continues to choose jobs that bring good into the world.

Where Is Rishia Haas Living Now?

Today, Rishia Haas still lives in Edina, Minnesota, not far from where she was born. She loves the calm community, and it gives her a perfect space to live a quiet life. Minnesota is her home — and it always has been.

She and Andrew still share co-parenting duties for their son, Noah. Their relationship as parents is said to be respectful and smooth. They both care deeply about their child, even if their marriage didn’t work out.

Rishia keeps her life simple. No big houses, no flashy cars. Just a warm home, meaningful work, and time with family. That’s what matters most to her.

Rishia Haas Net Worth and Lifestyle

As of 2025, Rishia Haas has an estimated net worth of $3 to $5 million. This comes from years of steady work, her past career in health and recovery, and possibly the divorce settlement from Andrew Zimmern.

Even with that money, she doesn’t live a celebrity lifestyle. She’s not buying designer clothes or showing off luxury vacations. Instead, she lives modestly. She shops local, grows some of her own food, and enjoys small things like home-cooked meals and nature walks.

Her life proves that you don’t need to be rich and famous to be truly happy. Peace, purpose, and family — that’s her idea of success.

Final Thoughts

The story of Rishia Haas is quiet, but powerful. She stood by Andrew Zimmern during his hardest times. She helped him recover, raised their son, and stayed strong even when fame pulled them apart.

After the divorce, Rishia didn’t try to stay in the spotlight. Instead, she chose a peaceful life that fits her heart. She works with bees, lives close to nature, and puts her son and wellness first. Her story reminds us that you don’t need to be on TV to be important.

In 2025, Rishia Haas is a symbol of quiet strength. She shows that sometimes, walking away from fame is the best way to find yourself again. And even though she’s no longer Andrew Zimmern’s wife, she’ll always be a big part of his journey — and a beautiful story of her own.

(FAQs)

How old is Rishia Haas now?

Rishia Haas is 52 years old as of 2025. She was born on July 29, 1973, in Champlin, Minnesota.

Is Rishia Haas on Instagram?

No, she’s not. Rishia Haas has no public Instagram or social media accounts. She lives a very private life and avoids all public attention.

Why did Rishia Haas leave Andrew Zimmern?

She left because Andrew’s nonstop work and fame created distance. He admitted he was “never there” for his wife and son. Rishia gave him “a thousand chances” before finally walking away in 2018.

Does Rishia Haas have kids?

Yes, she has one son, Noah Zimmern, born in 2005. She shares co-parenting with Andrew and lives with Noah in Minnesota.

What is Rishia Haas’s net worth?

As of 2025, Rishia Haas’s net worth is estimated at $3–5 million. She earned it through her steady career in healthcare, admin work, and her divorce from Andrew Zimmern.