A lot happened in 1972. Don McLean’s hit song “American Pie” topped the charts, Richard Nixon was president, and his administration was embroiled in the Watergate Scandal cover-up. NASA officially launched its Space Shuttle program, and Bob Barker, the host of a new game show called The Price is Right, was giving away brand-new cars valued at less than $4,000.

Bob Barker, synonymous with The Price is Right, is an entertainment icon and a cross-generational household name who hosted the popular game show for 35 years. This year, Barker is celebrating a century of life, marking an incredible milestone for the beloved television personality.

In other news, ‘Top Chef’ star Naomi Pomeroy was found dead at 49 in a river, days after going missing.

Growing up on an Indian reservation in South Dakota, Bob Barker—a member of the Sioux Tribe—met his future wife, Dorothy Jo Gideon, at an Ella Fitzgerald concert. He married Gideon, his high school sweetheart, in 1945 while on leave from the United States Navy Reserve, where he trained as a fighter pilot during World War II. Although he never served on active duty, he returned to university and graduated with an economics degree.

Barker, now 99, was hosting a radio show in Los Angeles when he captured the attention of game show producer Ralph Edwards, who was looking for a new host for Truth or Consequences, the first game show to be broadcast on TV. Barker hosted the hugely popular show from 1956 to 1975. His popularity continued to rise, and in 1967, he began hosting the Miss Universe and Miss USA pageants.

In 1972, Barker appeared on the stage of The Price is Right, launching both himself and the show into superstardom.

The Price is Right became the longest-running game show in history, a title it still holds. Bob Barker, who became executive producer in 1988, won 14 Daytime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Game Show Host and four Emmys as executive producer.

Barker credits his late wife, Dorothy Jo Gideon, for his successful career, saying, “She gave me the confidence to even try to do what I set out to do.” Gideon passed away in 1981 from lung cancer, and Barker never remarried, stating, “She was my wife.”

However, Barker found companionship with Nancy Burnet, who has been with him for 40 years. Burnet, now 79, attributes Barker’s good health to his limited use of medication. Before his 99th birthday, she told Fox News Digital, “He takes one prescription medication for his thyroid. He doesn’t take anything for blood pressure, cholesterol, or other common issues as people age.” She added, “He’s in very good health for his age and his humor is still in good shape. He’s had a very charmed life.”

But it wasn’t always smooth sailing for Bob Barker. In 1999, after experiencing clumsiness in his hand, he underwent surgery to correct a partially blocked artery and reduce stroke risk. In 2002, he suffered a stroke and later had prostate surgery. As a sun lover, he also dealt with several cases of mild skin cancer, endured a series of falls, and faced major back problems.

Nancy Burnet intervened to help Barker, a long-time vegetarian, regain strength with supplements. She emphasized, “It was to enhance everything because he was not doing well. If you’re going to be a vegetarian and vegan, you better know what you’re doing.”

After retiring from The Price is Right, now hosted by Drew Carey, Barker made a few guest appearances, including one in 2013 for his 90th birthday.

Nancy Burnet said of Barker’s time on The Price is Right, “He never grew tired of it. 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.”

Barker shared a similar sentiment on Good Morning America in 2007: “I am really not ready to say goodbye to it. So, I think it’s a good time to say goodbye because I want to leave them wanting more.”

Barker left with fond memories, from Vanna White competing on the show before her Wheel of Fortune fame, to excited contestants having wardrobe malfunctions. Most importantly, the show gave Barker a platform to advocate for animal rights, famously ending each episode with, “This is Bob Barker reminding you to help control the pet population. Have your pets spayed or neutered.”

Bob Barker credits his late wife, Dorothy Jo Gideon, for inspiring his animal activism. “She was ahead of her time,” Barker told Good Morning America. “She stopped wearing fur coats and became a vegetarian before it was common. I gradually did the same thing with her.”

Through his DJ&T Foundation, named after Gideon and his mother, Matilda (both animal lovers), Barker has donated millions to establish animal-rights curricula at law schools, including Harvard, Columbia, and Northwestern. “If young people are introduced to the exploitation and mistreatment of animals, it will influence them in anything they do,” Barker said.

Barker met Nancy Burnet at an animal adoption event in 1983. Together, they continue to champion animal advocacy and campaign against animal entertainment.

What an incredible century! In his almost 100 years, Bob Barker has had a huge influence on the world. We are so fortunate to have such passionate people like Barker, a paragon of power who uses his celebrity status to help innocent animals!