She stood beside one of America’s most famous chefs for 16 years — and almost no one knew her name. While Andrew Zimmern explored bizarre foods across the globe, Rishia Haas quietly built a career helping people recover from addiction. Today she keeps bees in Minnesota, raises her son, and lives on her own terms. This is her full story.
Quick Biography
| Detail | Information |
| Full Name | Rishia Haas |
| Date of Birth | July 29, 1973 |
| Age (2026) | 52–53 years old |
| Birthplace | Anoka / Champlin, Minnesota, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Height | Approximately 5 ft 5–6 in (165–168 cm) |
| Education | Anoka High School; Augsburg University, Minneapolis |
| Occupation | Administrative professional; Beekeeper (University of Minnesota Bee Lab) |
| Known For | Former wife of chef Andrew Zimmern; recovery support work |
| Spouse (ex) | Andrew Zimmern (m. 2002 – div. 2018) |
| Children | Noah Zimmern (born 2005) |
| Current Residence | Edina, Minnesota, USA |
| Net Worth (est. 2026) | $1M – $5M (unverified; speculative) |
| Social Media | None active |
Who Is Rishia Haas?
Rishia Haas is an American administrative professional and beekeeper from Minnesota. She is best known publicly as the former wife of celebrity chef and TV host Andrew Zimmern.
But her life has always been defined by something much quieter: a steady commitment to helping others and living without fanfare. She spent years working in addiction recovery at respected organizations. She raised her son largely alone while her husband traveled the world.
Today, she tends bees at the University of Minnesota Bee Lab and lives privately in Edina. She does not use social media. She does not seek headlines. That choice alone makes her story worth telling.
Early Life and Background
Rishia Haas was born on July 29, 1973, in the Twin Cities area of Minnesota. Sources vary slightly on her exact birthplace — some say Anoka, others say Champlin — but both are close-knit communities north of Minneapolis. She grew up in a grounded, family-focused home that shaped her values early on.
Family and Parents
Her father is Robert Haas and her mother is Karen Haas. They raised Rishia in a stable household that prioritized kindness and responsibility. The family environment was warm and close, far removed from celebrity culture or public attention.
She has two siblings: a sister named Jennifer Haas and a brother named John Haas. The three grew up together in Minnesota. Those family bonds gave Rishia a deep sense of loyalty and emotional steadiness that she carried into adulthood.
Education
Rishia attended Anoka High School, where she was known as a quiet, focused student. She was not drawn to the spotlight. She was drawn to learning and to people. After graduating, she enrolled at Augsburg College in Minneapolis, now called Augsburg University, where she earned her bachelor’s degree.
Augsburg is known for producing community-minded graduates. That environment suited her well. Her academic foundation was practical and purposeful, preparing her for a career centered on care rather than competition.
Rishia Haas Career Journey
Rishia’s career did not follow a flashy path. It followed a purposeful one. She moved from cooking school administration into the harder, more meaningful world of addiction recovery — and she stayed there for years.
Early Work in Administration
Her first professional role was at a Minneapolis cooking school, where she managed the store connected to the kitchen. It was a humble start, but it placed her exactly where her life would change.
She learned organizational skills, built patience, and developed a talent for supporting others behind the scenes. That role was more than a job. It was the place where she met Andrew Zimmern.
The cooking school became an unexpected crossroads — her administrative work and his culinary teaching overlapped, and a slow, genuine connection formed between them.
Addiction Recovery Work
After leaving the cooking school environment, Rishia moved into addiction recovery support. She became an Admissions Coordinator at The Retreat, a respected rehabilitation center in Minnesota.
In that role, she helped patients and families navigate the first terrifying steps toward sobriety. Her empathy was the core of her effectiveness. She did not just manage paperwork — she offered steady, calm presence to people in crisis.
In 2004, she joined the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation as an administrative assistant. Hazelden Betty Ford is one of the most respected addiction treatment organizations in the United States, and her work there continued her pattern of quiet, essential service.
Career Highlights
- Administrative coordinator at a Minneapolis cooking school (late 1990s)
- Admissions Coordinator at The Retreat — a leading Minnesota rehabilitation center
- Administrative assistant at the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation (from 2004)
- Beekeeper at the University of Minnesota Bee Lab (recent years)
How Rishia Haas Met Andrew Zimmern
The meeting was simple. Around 1999, Rishia was working at the store of a Minneapolis cooking school. Andrew Zimmern was teaching culinary classes in the same building. They crossed paths regularly, began talking, and found genuine common ground.
Andrew was rebuilding his life at that time. He had struggled with severe drug and alcohol addiction, had been homeless, and had only recently found stability through treatment at the Hazelden Center in Minnesota.
Rishia, who worked in recovery support, understood his journey without needing it explained. That mutual understanding formed the foundation of their relationship.
“My wife gave me a thousand chances to make it right.” — Andrew Zimmern
Who Is Andrew Zimmern?
Andrew Zimmern is an American chef, author, and television host born on July 4, 1961, in New York City. He is best known for hosting Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern on the Travel Channel, a show where he travels the world and eats unusual, culturally significant dishes.
He has won four James Beard Awards for Outstanding TV Food Personality. Before fame, Andrew faced serious addiction, homelessness, and years of rebuilding. His recovery in Minnesota in 1992 changed everything.
He built a media career from scratch, becoming a global name in food television. His openness about his past struggles is part of what made his connection with Rishia so meaningful — she understood exactly where he had come from.
Marriage, Family, and Divorce
Rishia and Andrew married on December 26, 2002, in a small, private ceremony in the Twin Cities area. There was no lavish reception. No media coverage. Just family, close friends, and a quiet beginning to a new chapter.
Family Life and Raising Noah
In 2005, Rishia and Andrew welcomed their son, Noah Zimmern. He became the center of their world. While Andrew’s career accelerated — more travel, more filming, more public appearances — Rishia anchored the household. She managed daily parenting, school life, and the emotional stability a child needs.
She was deliberate about protecting Noah from the noise of celebrity culture. He grew up in Minnesota with normal routines, not on a film set or at red-carpet events. That grounded upbringing reflects exactly who Rishia is: someone who values substance over spectacle, always.
The Divorce
After 16 years of marriage, Rishia and Andrew separated in 2018. The reasons were real and understandable. Andrew traveled constantly. He was rarely home. The emotional distance that built up over years of absence became too wide to close. Andrew later took public responsibility, saying he wasn’t present for his family the way he should have been.
The divorce was finalized around 2020. It was not marked by drama or public conflict. Both handled it with maturity. They remained committed to co-parenting Noah with respect and consistency. Their priority was always their son’s wellbeing — and that focus never changed, even after their marriage ended.
Personal Life in 2026
Today, Rishia Haas lives in Edina, Minnesota, a quiet suburb of Minneapolis. She chose to stay in the community where she raised Noah. Stability mattered more than a fresh start somewhere new. Her daily life reflects the same values she has always held.
Beekeeping and Nature
In recent years, Rishia developed a genuine interest in beekeeping. She became involved with the University of Minnesota Bee Lab, one of the most respected bee research centers in the country. Beekeeping suits her personality precisely: it demands patience, observation, and calm consistency.
She spends time outdoors, tends to the hives, and engages with the rhythms of nature. The work is meditative and purposeful. It is also a world away from television studios and celebrity interviews. That distance is exactly what she chose.
Hobbies and Interests
- Beekeeping at the University of Minnesota Bee Lab
- Home cooking and experimenting with recipes
- Gardening and outdoor activities
- Co-parenting Noah with Andrew Zimmern
- Community involvement in Minnesota
Height and Physical Appearance
Rishia Haas stands approximately 5 feet 5 to 5 feet 6 inches tall (roughly 165–168 cm). She presents a calm, natural appearance that reflects her grounded lifestyle. She has never sought attention for her looks and does not maintain a public image.
Those who have described her note a steady, warm presence. She dresses modestly and avoids anything that draws unnecessary focus. Her physical presentation, like every other aspect of her life, says: this is someone comfortable in her own skin.
Net Worth (2026)
Rishia Haas’s net worth in 2026 is estimated somewhere between $1 million and $5 million. No verified, official figure exists. These are speculative estimates from public sources — they should be treated as rough approximations, not confirmed facts.
Net Worth Estimates — Source Comparison
| Source | Estimate |
| Celeb Axis | $500K – $1M |
| Bents Magazine | $3M – $5M |
| Tuffer Magazine | $3M – $5M |
| Norvadel | $1M – $5M |
| Briefly.co.za | ~$5M |
Income Sources
Her financial position comes from several directions. Twenty-plus years in administrative roles at professional healthcare organizations built a steady income. Her work at Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation and The Retreat reflected salaried positions, not entry-level jobs. Divorce proceedings may have also included financial settlement terms, though nothing is publicly confirmed.
Rishia does not monetize her name. She has no sponsored content, no social media presence, and no public business ventures. Her financial life, like the rest of her life, remains private and modest. She is not chasing wealth — she is managing what she has earned with quiet care.
Social Media Presence
Rishia Haas has no active social media accounts. She does not post on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, or TikTok. In an era where nearly everyone maintains some kind of digital footprint, her absence is a deliberate choice.
She has given no public interviews since her divorce. She has not appeared on podcasts, panels, or television. Her name surfaces only when journalists write about Andrew Zimmern. That silence is not accidental — it is her answer to a world that offers fame as a reward for anything.
Interesting Facts About Rishia Haas
- She worked in addiction recovery before marrying Andrew Zimmern — giving her a unique understanding of his past.
- She and Andrew were married on December 26, the day after Christmas.
- Their age gap was approximately 12 years; some sources cite closer to 20 years.
- She has never appeared on any of Andrew Zimmern’s television programs.
- She stayed in the same Minnesota community after the divorce rather than relocating.
- Her post-divorce lifestyle includes beekeeping — one of the most patience-intensive hobbies available.
- Andrew publicly credited her with giving him “a thousand chances” — a rare moment of public gratitude toward a very private person.
- She and Andrew co-parent Noah cooperatively, with no reported conflicts.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Rishia Haas in 2026?
She is 52 years old, turning 53 on July 29, 2026, having been born on July 29, 1973.
What does Rishia Haas do now in 2026?
She works as a beekeeper with the University of Minnesota Bee Lab and lives quietly in Edina, Minnesota.
Why did Rishia Haas and Andrew Zimmern divorce?
Andrew’s demanding travel schedule created emotional distance; he publicly took responsibility for not being present enough for his family.
Does Rishia Haas have children?
Yes — she has one son, Noah Zimmern, born in 2005, whom she co-parents with Andrew Zimmern.
What is Rishia Haas’s estimated net worth?
Public estimates range from $1 million to $5 million, but no verified figure exists — treat all estimates as speculative.
Conclusion
Rishia Haas built a meaningful life entirely on her own terms — through recovery work, steady parenting, and a quiet strength that never needed a camera to matter.
She supported one of television’s most recognizable chefs through his hardest years, raised their son with care and consistency, and then rebuilt her life after divorce without seeking sympathy or attention. In a world that rewards noise, her story is a reminder that some of the most impactful lives are the ones lived closest to the ground.
