Bob Barker, Longtime ‘Price Is Right’ Host and Emmy Winner Celebrates 99th Birthday

Legendary host Bob Barker spent 35 years on The Price is Right (the longest-running game show in the United States) only to retire in 2007. It's been 15 years since the Emmy-winner left the show but birthday wishes poured in from all over the country to celebrate his 99th birthday on Dec. 12. “This is a special Monday because it is Bob Barker’s Birthday. Let the day be as amazing as ever,” the official Twitter account for The Price Is Right tweeted.

"I'm often asked what I loved most about my years with Price, and the first thing that pops to mind is ... the money, of course!" Barker previously joked to PEOPLE just before its 50th season. He reassured fans that "all kidding aside, there was much to love. I had the pleasure of working with a dedicated and talented cast and crew for 35 great years. Particularly close to my heart was the ability our vast popularity gave me to remind our entire audience daily about the importance of spaying and neutering your pets." Since 1979, the host who is also an animal activist signed off every episode with a message reminding people to "help control the pet population." Surely enough, the line had a huge impact on viewers and eventually became a normal practice in the country. 

As for what he had planned for his 99th birthday, his companion of almost 40 years, Nancy Burnet said in a release per TODAY that he "wants to remind everyone to have their pets spayed and neutered to help control the pet population.” He is "doing great and will be very aware of all of the birthday wishes he will be receiving on his 99th birthday. We want all fans of PRICE IS RIGHT and BOB BARKER to take to social media and give him a shout-out for his birthday!” the release said, adding, “Let’s all wish America’s Greatest M.C. a very happy 99th birthday.”

His companion since 1983 shared the host's health update to Fox News Digital. "He's going to be 99, and he takes one prescription medication and that's for his thyroid. And his health care or anyone who comes in to see him, they'll say, 'Well, we'd like a list of his medications.' I'll say, you know, let me just show you the bottle," Burnet added with a laugh. "That's it," the 79-year-old said. "So, he does not take anything for blood pressure, cholesterol, the umpteen other things that most people take as they grow older."

She continued, "He's in very good health for his age and his humor is still in good shape. He's had a very charmed life." Although he went through a string of injuries in recent years his doctors are "quite surprised, anytime that they have seen him, how healthy he looks for his age, and they're surprised that he takes nothing else," she noted. He still enjoys the success of the game show he was on for decades. "He never grew tired of it," she said. "I'm not sure I could do the same show every day. But he never grew bored with it. So maybe that's why it was so successful because he was always ready to do it and happy to do it."

References:

https://www.today.com/popculture/bob-barker-turns-99-rcna61392

https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/bob-barker-longtime-girlfriend-nancy-burnet-shares-update-on-the-price-is-right-icon-as-he-turns-99

https://people.com/tv/bob-barker-reflects-on-the-price-is-right-as-season-50-approaches/

Cover Image Source: Getty Images | Photo by Doug Benc