Bob Barker's Longtime Girlfriend Applauds His 'Trailblazing' Animal Advocacy Following Death
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Bob Barker was more than just a TV legend.
The late Price Is Right host's girlfriend, Nancy Burnet, made that abundantly clear in her tribute following the news of his death on August 26. In a statement, released by Barker's longtime rep Roger Neal, Burnet applauded the TV personality's passionate dedication to animal advocacy.
“I am so proud of the trailblazing work Barker and I did together to expose the cruelty to animals in the entertainment industry and including working to improve the plight of abused and exploited animals in the United States and internationally," Burnet—who met Barker at an animal adoption event in 1983 before dating for four decades—said in her note to People. "We were great friends over these 40 yrs. He will be missed.”
For those who may need a refresher, in addition to his lengthy 35-year stint on The Price Is Right, Barker also dedicated his time to advocating for animal rights, giving his support to the United Activists for Animal Rights and the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society.
He even famously worked awareness for this cause into The Price Is Right, signing off every show with this phrase: "This is Bob Barker reminding you to help control the pet population — have your pets spayed or neutered."
Barker often appeared in PETA public service announcements, too, declaring in one anti-animal testing campaign, "The price is never right for products tested on animals."
Happy 93rd Birthday to the man who has helped and continues to help countless animals ❤️ Bob Barker! pic.twitter.com/71Q4IrfA6O
— PETA (@peta) December 12, 2016
In 2012, he told Vegetarian Times that he became a vegetarian "out of concern for animals."
He continued, "I was a vegetarian for a very long time before I realized that many people become vegetarians out of concern for their health. I think they are absolutely right. I think it is the healthiest way to live."
