Bob Barker’s Challenges with Strokes, Heart Disease, and Loss of Will to Live

Bob Barker, who hosted the fan-favorite television game show The Price Is Right for three and a half decades, passed away recently at the age of 99. Throughout his lifetime, he proved himself something of a warrior as he bravely faced various health hurdles, such as skin cancer, two strokes, heart problems, numerous falls, declining eyesight, and arthritis.

However, at the tail end of his life journey, it seems the legend lost his will to live as a result of his constant battles with deteriorating health. “With his health, who knows how much time Bob has left,” an insider revealed at one point. “He looks in the mirror and sees a shell of his former self.”

Barker’s health decline made him lose hope

After his retirement in 2007, Barker made three guest appearances on The Price is Right — in 2009, and 2014 — in celebration of his 90th birthday and also an April Fool’s Day surprise in 2015. The source revealed that even though many thought his 2014 public appearance would be his last, Barker was eager to be back onstage because his health was steadily declining, and he needed to experience what his life used to be like.

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“Bob was really excited to be asked back on Price one last time,” the insider admitted. “He’d been feeling ignored and forgotten. He realized that this is it for him. With his failing health, he knew he didn’t have much time left.”

The Insider says Bob Barker’s last years may not have been pleasurable.

Barker’s demise didn’t come as a shock to those who are familiar with his health struggles, but they will surely miss him for what he stands for and who he was. To some, it is a miracle that he managed to live for almost a decade, even after his 90th birthday, despite struggling with different co-morbidities.

A close source to the family added that Barker made peace with himself and was ready to face death at any time during his last years. “Bob has led a colorful, exciting, and rewarding life, but, frankly, he’s at the point now where he’s just waiting to die,” the insider explained. “To tell the truth, he really has little joy these days.”