Rishia Haas is best known as the ex-wife of famous chef Andrew Zimmern. But she is much more than that. She is a mother, a hardworking professional, and a private person who never wanted the spotlight. Born and raised in Minnesota, Rishia built her own career while supporting her husband’s rise to fame. After nearly 16 years of marriage, she chose a quiet life focused on her son and her work. Today, she stays away from media attention, living peacefully in her home state.
Rishia Haas Biography Table
| Attribute | Details |
| Full Name | Rishia Haas |
| Known As | Ex-wife of celebrity chef Andrew Zimmern |
| Birthplace | Anoka, Minnesota, USA |
| Education | Anoka High School; Augsburg College |
| Profession | Administrative Assistant |
| Ex-Spouse | Andrew Zimmern (m. 2002–2018) |
| Children | 1 son – Noah Zimmern |
| Net Worth | Estimated $1–$5 million |
| Social Media | Not active on social media |
Who Is Rishia Haas?
Rishia Haas is best known as the ex-wife of celebrity chef and Bizarre Foods host Andrew Zimmern, though she has built her own career as an administrative assistant.
She was born and raised in Anoka, Minnesota, and spent most of her life away from the public eye. While her former husband became a household name through his Travel Channel shows, Rishia preferred a quiet, private life focused on her family and career.
She worked as an administrative assistant at the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation, a well-known recovery services organization. Despite being married to a celebrity for nearly two decades, she never sought the spotlight or built a public persona of her own. Today, she remains a private individual, with most public information about her stemming directly from her marriage to and divorce from Andrew Zimmern.
Education: Anoka High School and Augsburg College
Rishia Haas completed her early education at Anoka High School in Minnesota before pursuing higher studies at Augsburg College in Minneapolis.
Growing up in Anoka, she attended the local high school like many other students in the area. After graduating from high school, she enrolled at Augsburg College, a private liberal arts college in Minneapolis, where she continued her education.
Her time at Augsburg helped her develop the skills that would later support her professional career as an administrative assistant. While details about her academic performance or specific field of study remain undisclosed, her educational background reflects a solid foundation rooted in her home state of Minnesota. She has kept most details of her early life and schooling private, consistent with her overall preference for a low-profile existence.
When Did Rishia Haas and Andrew Zimmern Get Married?
Rishia Haas and Andrew Zimmern tied the knot on December 16, 2002, in an intimate civil ceremony in Minneapolis.
The couple first met in 1999 when Zimmern was teaching a cooking class at a Minnesota-based college, and Haas happened to work at a store on the same campus. They hit it off quickly and began a relationship, though few details about their early dating life are publicly known.
After dating for some time, they decided to make their commitment official. The wedding ceremony was a private affair officiated by St. Paul Judge Roseanne Nathanson and attended only by close friends and family members. The following year, they hosted a larger celebration for relatives who could not attend the first ceremony.
At the time of their marriage, Zimmern was already building his reputation in the culinary world, while Haas continued her work as an administrative professional.
Rishia Haas and Andrew Zimmern’s Family Life
Rishia Haas and Andrew Zimmern built a family life centered around their son Noah, though Zimmern’s demanding career eventually put a strain on their marriage.
Three years after their wedding, in 2005, the couple welcomed their only child, a son named Noah. The family resided in Minnesota, where they enjoyed a relatively normal life away from the media frenzy that surrounded Zimmern’s growing fame.
However, Zimmern’s career as a television personality took off when Bizarre Foods premiered in 2006, one year after Noah’s birth. The show required extensive travel and long hours, which meant Zimmern was often away from home. Despite the challenges, Haas supported her husband throughout his rise to fame, frequently accompanying him to public events when her schedule allowed.The couple had an age gap of about 20 years, but it never seemed to be an issue during their marriage.
Who Is Rishia Haas’s Son, Noah Zimmern?
Rishia Haas and Andrew Zimmern share one son, Noah Zimmern, who was born in 2005 and is their only child.
Noah grew up in Minnesota, raised primarily by his mother during the years when his father’s television career demanded constant travel. He was 13 years old when his parents divorced in 2018.
Despite his father’s celebrity status, Noah has been kept largely out of the public eye, with his parents making a conscious effort to protect his privacy. Andrew Zimmern has occasionally spoken about his son in interviews, but Rishia Haas has never publicly discussed Noah in detail. The family lived in Monterey, California, for a period during Noah’s childhood before returning to Minnesota. Today, Noah continues to live a private life away from the media spotlight that follows his famous father.
Why Did Rishia Haas and Andrew Zimmern Divorce?
Rishia Haas and Andrew Zimmern divorced in 2018 after nearly 16 years of marriage, largely due to the strain caused by Zimmern’s demanding career and frequent absences from home.
Zimmern himself admitted that his packed schedule was a major factor in the breakdown of their relationship. He had initially believed that leaving the restaurant business to become a media personality would give him more time with his family, but the opposite proved true.
In a candid interview, Zimmern confessed: “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.”
The couple described their split as “difficult but amicable,” suggesting they worked through the separation with mutual respect. Despite the divorce, Zimmern has continued to speak highly of his ex-wife, publicly calling her the “bravest mom” he knows on Mother’s Day 2020. The divorce was finalized in 2018, bringing an end to their sixteen-year union.
What Is Rishia Haas’s Net Worth?
Rishia Haas has an estimated net worth between $1 million and $5 million, accumulated through her professional career and her association with Andrew Zimmern.
Sources vary on the exact figure, with some estimating her wealth at over $1 million and others suggesting it is closer to $5 million. She worked as an administrative assistant at the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation, a role that contributed significantly to her earnings.
Before that, she served as an Admissions Coordinator at The Retreat Alive, a recovery services company. Her net worth was also elevated through her marriage to Zimmern, who has an estimated net worth of around $5 million. While her wealth is modest compared to her ex-husband’s fortune, she has built a stable financial foundation through her own professional endeavors.
Life After Divorce and Co-Parenting
Following her divorce from Andrew Zimmern in 2018, Rishia Haas has maintained a low profile, focusing on co-parenting her son Noah and living a quiet life in Minnesota.
She has remained out of the public eye, with no active social media presence and no public interviews or statements about her personal life. Zimmern, on the other hand, has continued to speak warmly of her, acknowledging her role as a devoted mother and expressing gratitude for the years they shared.
The former couple has reportedly maintained an amicable relationship for the sake of their son, co-parenting him despite their separation. Haas continues to reside in Minnesota, where she enjoys a peaceful life away from the media frenzy that surrounds her ex-husband’s career. Her decision to stay out of the spotlight reflects her lifelong preference for privacy, a choice she has consistently made throughout and after her marriage to a celebrity.
Final Thoughts
Rishia Haas may be known to the public primarily as Andrew Zimmern’s ex-wife, but her story is one of quiet strength, resilience, and a steadfast commitment to family.
She built a career as an administrative assistant long before she met the celebrity chef, and she has continued to live life on her own terms after their divorce. While her former husband traveled the world tasting bizarre foods for television, Haas remained grounded in Minnesota, raising their son and maintaining a stable home.
Her decision to stay out of the public eye is a testament to her character—she never sought fame, and she has handled her public association with a celebrity with grace and dignity. Today, she continues to live a private life, focused on her family and her personal well-being. In an era where many chase the spotlight, Rishia Haas stands out as someone who values authenticity and privacy above all else.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Rishia Haas still married to Andrew Zimmern?
No, Rishia Haas and Andrew Zimmern divorced in 2018 after being married for 16 years.
How many children does Rishia Haas have?
Rishia Haas has one son, Noah Zimmern, who was born in 2005.
When did Rishia Haas and Andrew Zimmern divorce?
They divorced in 2018.
Where is Rishia Haas now?
Rishia Haas currently resides in Minnesota, where she lives a private life away from the public eye.
What does Rishia Haas do for a living?
Rishia Haas is an administrative assistant who has worked at the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation and previously served as an Admissions Coordinator at The Retreat Alive.
