A death certificate obtained by multiple outlets revealed what caused the death of longtime TV host Bob Barker, 99, late last month.
TMZ first reported that Barker’s death was the result of Alzheimer’s disease, a type of dementia that impacts an estimated 6 million Americans. People magazine also confirmed the cause of death.
Both reports said the death certificate indicated Barker had suffered from the disease for years prior to his passing. Per TMZ, he had never publicly addressed his struggle with the condition.
Over the years, other health issues Barker wrestled with were made public. These included back issues and a 2019 fall at his Hollywood Hills home that resulted in a hospital stay. People also said the death certificate cited hypertension (high blood pressure), hypothyroidism and hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol) as significant conditions that lead to “The Price is Right” host’s passing.
In addition to his long career in entertainment, Barker was also known as an animal rights activist. He was preceded in death by his high school sweetheart and wife, Dorothy Jo Gideon, who died in 1981.
“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,” said Nancy Burnet, who People identified as Barker’s girlfriend. “We were great friends over these 40 yrs. He will be missed.”
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia. Those with the condition experience memory loss that can interfere with their daily life, and it is most commonly diagnosed in people over age 65.
While there is currently no cure for Alzheimer’s, there have been recent steps forward in research regarding the disease, and medications to help slow disease progression. For example, an Alzheimer’s drug received a first-of-its-kind approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration this July.