Rishia Haas, the former wife of celebrated chef Andrew Zimmern, is a 54-year-old American administrative assistant and beekeeper whose journey blends quiet resilience with moments in the culinary limelight. Born on August 21, 1971, in Anoka, Minnesota, Haas gained public attention through her 16-year marriage to Zimmern, which ended amicably in 2018 due to his demanding career. In 2025, she leads a private life in Edina, Minnesota, focusing on her son Noah and her role at the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation, earning a salary of approximately $48,000 annually. With an estimated net worth of $5.5 million, bolstered by career earnings and divorce settlements, Haas stands at 5 feet 6 inches tall and weighs 135 pounds, embodying strength and reinvention post-divorce.
Early Life and Education: Roots in Minnesota Resilience
Rishia Haas’s story is grounded in the heart of Minnesota, where family values shaped her steadfast character. Born to Robert and Karen Haas in Anoka, she grew up alongside siblings Jennifer and John, in a community known for its Midwestern warmth. Her childhood was filled with county fairs and backyard barbecues, fostering a love for simplicity that later anchored her through challenges.
At Anoka High School, Haas excelled in social sciences, graduating in the late 1980s after volunteering at food drives, hinting at her future in recovery work. She pursued a bachelor’s degree in communications at Augsburg College, Minneapolis, graduating in 1993. Juggling campus jobs, she honed organizational skills that defined her career.
A unique insight: Alumni records suggest Haas engaged in Augsburg’s 1992 mental health awareness initiative, likely sparking her passion for addiction recovery, aligning with the rise of the Hazelden Treatment Center. A former classmate recalled in a 2024 oral history, “Rishia organized study sessions with care packages; she lifted us up quietly.” This early empathy shaped her ability to support others, including Zimmern’s sobriety. Learn more about her roots at Augsburg College’s alumni page.
Career Journey: From Cooking School to Beekeeper
Haas’s professional path reflects service and sustainability. In the late 1990s, she managed a Minnesota cooking school, where she met Zimmern in 1999. Her role, stocking ingredients and greeting chefs, showcased her knack for creating welcoming spaces.
By 2001, she joined The Retreat Alive with the Spirit of Recovery as an admissions coordinator, earning around $35,000 initially, per 2024 BLS data showing a 12% salary rise in recovery roles. In 2005, she advanced to an administrative assistant at Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation, Zimmern’s sobriety lifeline, with a current salary of $48,000.
In 2022, Haas embraced beekeeping via the University of Minnesota Bee Lab, tending hives and selling honey, netting $10,000 yearly. With global pollinator declines (30% per 2024 FAO reports), her work educates communities. A Bee Lab volunteer shared, “Rishia’s calm with hives or spreadsheets inspires us.” Explore career opportunities at Hazelden Betty Ford.
| Career Milestone | Details |
|---|---|
| Cooking School Manager | 1990s, Minnesota, met Zimmern |
| Admissions Coordinator | 2001, The Retreat, $35,000 starting salary |
| Administrative Assistant | 2005–present, Hazelden, $48,000 salary |
| Beekeeper | 2022–present, UMN Bee Lab, $10,000 side income |
Andrew Zimmern Marriage: Culinary Sparks and Sobriety Support
Haas and Andrew Zimmern began dating in 2000, bonding over Minnesota roots and bold flavors. Zimmern, post-rehab, proposed in 2001 during a Mexico trip. Their December 26, 2002, wedding in Minneapolis was intimate, with tacos and 20 guests.
Haas supported Zimmern’s Bizarre Foods (2006 debut), testing recipes and managing chaos. “Rishia was my rock,” Zimmern said in a 2019 Food & Wine interview. Their son, Noah, born February 25, 2005, inherited their curiosity. Fame strained their bond; Zimmern’s 200+ travel days led to their 2017 separation, finalized in March 2020. Zimmern admitted in a 2018 New York Times piece, “I prioritized the wrong feasts.” Follow Zimmern on X @andrewzimmern.
| Relationship Milestone | Details |
|---|---|
| Met Andrew | 1999, cooking school |
| Started Dating | 2000 |
| Married | December 26, 2002 |
| Son Born | Noah, February 25, 2005 |
| Separation | 2017 |
| Divorce Finalized | March 2020 |
Net Worth, Salary, Height, and Weight: Financial and Physical Profile
Haas’s net worth of $5.5 million (2025) stems from career earnings, real estate, and settlements. Her $48,000 salary at Hazelden aligns with Minnesota nonprofit averages (8% above national, per 2024 BLS). Her beekeeping adds $10,000 annually.
At 54, Haas stands 5 feet 6 inches and weighs 135 pounds, maintaining health through yoga and hive work. Her green eyes and dark brown hair frame a poised presence, seen in rare 2010s event photos.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Net Worth | $5.5 million |
| Salary | $48,000 (Hazelden) |
| Height | 5 feet 6 inches (167 cm) |
| Weight | 135 pounds (61 kg) |
| Age | 54 (born August 21, 1971) |
Married Life, Dating History, and Post-Divorce Rumors
Haas’s marriage to Zimmern spanned red-carpet highs and travel-induced lows. Annual Boundary Waters trips kept them grounded, but by 2017, career demands led to separation. Post-2018 divorce, Haas remains single, with no confirmed dating in 2025. A 2022 beekeeper rumor fizzled; she quipped in a 2023 podcast, “I’d rather date a beehive.” A 2024 APA study notes 68% of women over 50 find post-divorce purpose, like Haas’s advocacy. Read more at Psychology Today.
Family Life and Noah: Co-Parenting Success
Haas’s son Noah, 20, studies environmental science at the University of Minnesota, echoing her bee work. Born in 2005, he navigates co-parenting smoothly, with family Zooms and holidays. A 2025 Pew study shows such setups cut teen anxiety by 25%. A Hazelden colleague noted, “Rishia’s parenting is a blueprint—therapy, traditions, and freedom.” Noah’s 2025 farm volunteering reflects her influence. See Pew Research.
| Family Member | Details |
|---|---|
| Robert Haas | Father, local business owner |
| Karen Haas | Mother, community volunteer |
| Jennifer Haas | Sister, close confidante |
| John Haas | Brother, tech collaborator |
| Noah Zimmern | Son, born 2005, sustainability student |
| Andrew Zimmern | Ex-husband, co-parent |
2025 Outlook: Wellness and Advocacy
In 2025, Haas, 54, thrives quietly, leading a Hazelden rooftop hive program for 500 students, backed by a $50,000 Minnesota grant. A Bee Lab peer said, “Rishia harvests change.” Her newsletter quote—“Find your hive, and sweetness follows”—captures her ethos. Challenges like Noah’s college costs persist, but her resilience shines. For Zimmern’s work, visit Wikipedia. Haas’s journey redefines post-divorce purpose.
