Rishia Haas, born July 29, 1973, in Champlin, Minnesota, is best known as the former wife of celebrity chef Andrew Zimmern, though her life story extends far beyond that connection. She built a successful career as an administrative assistant at the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation while supporting her husband through addiction recovery and raising their son Noah. As Andrew Zimmern’s ex-wife, she demonstrated remarkable strength during their 16-year marriage. Today at 51 years old, she works as a beekeeper with the University of Minnesota Bee Lab, living quietly in Edina, Minnesota.
From Small-Town Roots to Healthcare Administration
Rishia grew up in a close-knit family in Champlin, Minnesota, with parents Robert and Karen Haas and two siblings, Jennifer and John. Her upbringing shaped her compassionate nature and dedication to helping others recover from difficult situations. The Minnesota beekeeper we know today started with humble beginnings in America’s heartland.
She attended Anoka High School and later earned her bachelor’s degree from Augsburg College in Minneapolis. After college, she started working in cooking schools doing administrative work. This administrative professional wasn’t looking for fame or attention. Instead, she focused on building a stable career where she could make a real difference in people’s lives. Her work ethic and genuine care for others became the foundation of everything she would do next.
Meeting Andrew Zimmern Changed Everything
In 1999, Rishia met Andrew Zimmern while he was teaching a cooking class at a school where she worked in the store. Their connection happened naturally through shared interests in food and cooking. The woman who would become part of the Zimmern family found love in an unexpected place.
At the time, Andrew was working hard to rebuild his life after struggling with addiction and homelessness. As a future addiction recovery specialist, Rishia understood these challenges deeply because of her professional background in recovery work. She offered both love and practical support during a critical time in his life. Their relationship grew stronger despite their 20-year age difference. They married on December 26, 2002, beginning a partnership that would last 16 years.
Building a Career in Addiction Recovery
Rishia worked as an Admissions Coordinator at The Retreat, a rehabilitation center in Wayzata, Minnesota, helping people battle alcohol and drug addiction. Her role involved managing critical administrative tasks while providing support to struggling individuals and families. This Hazelden Betty Ford employee brought compassion to every interaction.
She later joined the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation as an administrative assistant, working at this premier addiction treatment organization created in 2014. This position allowed her to continue her meaningful work as a healthcare worker helping people overcome addiction. Her colleagues remember her as someone who brought genuine warmth and efficiency to her role. She handled sensitive situations with grace and always maintained confidentiality. Her work wasn’t glamorous, but it saved lives and gave hope to families facing their darkest moments.
Life as a Celebrity Chef’s Wife
While Andrew traveled the world eating unusual foods for his show Bizarre Foods, Rishia maintained stability at home, raising their son Noah (born in 2005) and continuing her daily work. As a former celebrity spouse, she rarely appeared at public events, preferring to stay out of the spotlight. Noah Zimmern’s mother prioritized family stability over public recognition.
Her background in addiction recovery proved invaluable in supporting Andrew through his ongoing recovery journey. She understood the daily challenges he faced better than most people could. This supportive partner never wavered in her commitment to their family’s wellbeing. Yet the demands of Andrew’s career created increasing strain on their marriage. He traveled constantly for filming, leaving Rishia to handle most parenting duties alone.
The Hidden Struggles Behind Success
Andrew later admitted in interviews that he “wasn’t there for my wife, and I wasn’t there for my son,” acknowledging that his wife gave him “a thousand chances to make it right.” The constant travel and fame created an impossible distance between them. The Rishia Haas divorce became inevitable despite their best efforts.
Despite these challenges, this private individual never sought public sympathy or media attention. She handled their problems privately, focusing on what was best for their son. Her quiet strength during this period showed her true character. As a public figure’s partner, she could have used Andrew’s fame for her own benefit, but she chose dignity and privacy instead.
The Decision to Divorce and Move Forward
After 16 years of marriage, Rishia and Andrew announced their separation in 2018, with their divorce being finalized around 2020. The split was described as amicable, with both parties committed to co-parenting Noah respectfully. Questions about Rishia Haas net worth emerged during this period, but she maintained her characteristic privacy.
Following the divorce, Rishia chose to lead a peaceful and private life away from media attention, continuing to live in Edina, Minnesota. This 51-year-old Minnesota resident didn’t give interviews or share her side of the story publicly. Instead of bitterness, she focused on healing and building a new life for herself. She maintained a cooperative relationship with Andrew for their son’s sake.
Finding Peace Through Beekeeping
In recent years, Rishia has embraced beekeeping, joining the University of Minnesota Bee Lab where she works with honeybees. This career change represents more than just a new job for the University of Minnesota Bee Lab member. It symbolizes her desire for peaceful, meaningful work connected to nature. Her transformation into a celebrity chef’s ex-spouse turned beekeeper is perhaps one of the most unique career pivots in recent memory.
Beekeeping requires patience, attention to detail, and nurturing care. These are the same qualities she brought to her work in addiction recovery. The transition makes perfect sense when you understand her values. She finds satisfaction in contributing to environmental conservation while maintaining her love for quiet, purposeful work. As part of the Minnesota beekeeping community, she’s found a new purpose.
A New Chapter of Personal Growth
She also enjoys gardening and cooking at home, hobbies that align with her calm personality and connection to nature. These simple pleasures bring joy to this mother of one without needing public validation.
Her lifestyle reflects someone who has found true contentment. Mrs. Haas doesn’t need fancy possessions or media attention. Instead, she values authentic experiences and genuine relationships. Her work with bees connects her to a community of environmental advocates who share her values. This new network provides friendship and purpose without the pressures of celebrity life.
Financial Independence and Modest Living
Rishia’s estimated net worth ranges from $3 to $5 million, accumulated through her steady career in healthcare administration and her divorce settlement. Despite this financial security, she maintains a modest lifestyle focused on family and personal interests.
She lives comfortably but without extravagance. Her home in Edina provides stability for her and Noah. She doesn’t flaunt wealth through social media or public appearances. Her financial choices reflect someone who values security over status. She has enough resources to live well while pursuing work that matters to her.
Co-Parenting Success and Family Focus
Rishia and Andrew continue to work together raising Noah with care and respect, maintaining a cooperative relationship despite their divorce. Their son remains her top priority in all decisions she makes.
Their co-parenting arrangement works because both parents put Noah first. They attend his important events together when needed. They communicate about his needs without letting personal issues interfere. This mature approach gives Noah stability despite his parents’ separation.
Staying Private in a Public World
Rishia has no public social media accounts and rarely appears in interviews, choosing to live completely outside the public eye. This decision reflects her consistent values of privacy and authenticity.
In an age where everyone shares everything online, her choice stands out. She doesn’t need validation from strangers on the internet. Her self-worth comes from real accomplishments and relationships. This deliberate privacy protects both her and Noah from unnecessary scrutiny.
What Rishia Haas Teaches Us About Resilience
Rishia’s story offers valuable lessons about handling life’s challenges with grace. She supported a partner through addiction recovery while building her own career. She raised a child while her husband traveled constantly for work. She handled divorce without public drama or seeking revenge.
Her approach to difficult situations shows emotional intelligence and strength. She doesn’t let circumstances define her or limit her growth. Instead, she adapts and finds new paths forward. Her transition from healthcare administration to beekeeping proves you can reinvent yourself at any age.
Life Lessons from an Unexpected Source
When you look at Rishia Haas’s journey, several important themes emerge. First, supporting others doesn’t mean losing yourself. She helped Andrew without sacrificing her own identity or career. Second, privacy has value in our oversharing culture. Not every story needs to be told publicly.
Third, meaningful work matters more than prestigious titles. Her jobs in addiction recovery and beekeeping both serve important purposes. Fourth, children benefit when divorced parents cooperate respectfully. Noah has two parents who prioritize his wellbeing above their own conflicts.
As of 2025, Rishia Haas continues living in Edina, Minnesota, working with bees and focusing on family. Her story reminds us that strength often looks like quiet determination rather than public victories. She chose healing over bitterness, privacy over publicity, and purpose over fame. These choices created a life worth admiring, even if most people will never know her name.
