Bob Vila Bio, Age, Wife, Family, This Old House, Height, Salary, Net Worth
Bob Vila is an American television host, author, entrepreneur and home-improvement expert who became a household name as the original host of This Old House. He hosted the PBS program from 1979 to 1989 before launching Bob Vila’s Home Again and other home-improvement television programs.
Over a career spanning more than four decades, Vila has combined television, construction, publishing, product endorsements and real estate. His official biography describes him as a television host, author, builder and historic-preservation advocate who has written more than a dozen books on remodeling and historic homes.
Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
| Full Name | Robert Joseph Vila |
| Date of Birth | June 20, 1946 |
| Age | 80 years old in 2026 |
| Birthplace | Miami, Florida, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Heritage | Cuban-American |
| Profession | Television Host, Author, Builder, Entrepreneur |
| Education | University of Florida |
| Degree | Journalism |
| Wife | Diana Barrett |
| Marriage | 1975–present |
| Children | Three |
| Height | 5 feet 9 inches (1.75 m) |
| Best Known For | This Old House, Bob Vila’s Home Again |
| Estimated Annual Income | Not reliably disclosed |
| Estimated Net Worth | Approximately $80 million |
Bob Vila Age and Early Life
Bob Vila is 80 years old as of 2026. He was born Robert Joseph Vila on June 20, 1946, in Miami, Florida. He was raised in a Cuban-American family and developed an interest in architecture and construction partly through his father, who built the family’s home himself. Vila has described helping his father with home projects as an important early influence on his interest in construction.
He attended Miami Jackson High School before studying journalism at the University of Florida. After graduating, he served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Panama, where he helped build houses and communities. His experiences in construction, journalism and international service eventually combined to create the unusual career that made him one of America’s best-known home-improvement personalities.
Bob Vila Education
Vila earned a journalism degree from the University of Florida in 1969. His journalism training later proved useful when he moved into television. He also attended the Boston Architectural Center in the 1970s. He did not complete a formal architectural degree there, instead gaining practical experience managing renovation projects.
During this period, Vila worked on the restoration of historic Boston brownstones and eventually operated a residential remodeling and design business.
How Bob Vila Got Into Home Improvement
Before becoming a television personality, Vila worked directly in residential renovation and historic restoration. He and his wife, Diana Barrett, purchased and renovated a house in the Chestnut Hill area of Boston in the mid-1970s. The renovation attracted attention after being featured in The Boston Globe and Better Homes & Gardens. That publicity eventually attracted television producers who were interested in documenting the renovation process.
That project eventually helped lead to the creation of This Old House.
Bob Vila and This Old House
Vila became the original host of This Old House when the program premiered in 1979. The series was created by producer Russell Morash and initially aired through Boston’s WGBH before expanding nationally on PBS. The program helped establish home-improvement television as a major television genre.
Vila hosted the show for its first 10 seasons, from 1979 until 1989. He appeared alongside skilled tradespeople, including master carpenter Norm Abram, helping explain complicated renovation projects to ordinary homeowners. The program’s influence was significant. This Old House continues to air on PBS more than four decades after its debut and has received numerous Emmy Awards.
Why Bob Vila Left This Old House
Vila left This Old House in 1989 following a disagreement related to commercial endorsements. During his time on the program, he had become associated with outside commercial sponsorships and product endorsements. The resulting conflict with the show’s producers and sponsors ultimately led to his departure. He was replaced as host by Steve Thomas.
Leaving the program did not end Vila’s television career. Instead, it opened the door to a much broader media and business career.
Bob Vila’s Home Again
After leaving This Old House, Vila became the host of Bob Vila’s Home Again in 1990. The syndicated program focused on residential remodeling, construction techniques, tools and home improvement. It eventually ran for approximately 15 seasons and became another important part of Vila’s television career.
The program was later renamed simply Bob Vila and continued until 2007.
Bob Vila’s Other Television Work
Vila hosted and produced several other television projects, including Restore America with Bob Vila and programs focused on historic architecture.
He also made cameo appearances as himself on the sitcom Home Improvement, where his real-life home-improvement persona was used as part of the show’s humor. His television credits also include Hot Shots! Part Deux. His television work helped turn him from a contractor and remodeling expert into a nationally recognized brand.
Bob Vila Books and Writing
Vila is also a prolific author. His official biography says he has written more than a dozen books covering remodeling, buying homes, and visiting historic properties. His books include guides on remodeling homes, buying property, and understanding historic American architecture.
Writing became another way for Vila to share the practical knowledge he developed through decades of working on houses.
Bob Vila and BobVila.com
Vila later expanded his brand into digital media through BobVila.com, a home-improvement website offering information about repairs, renovation, tools and home maintenance. The website reflects his broader mission of helping homeowners understand how their homes work and giving them the confidence to undertake improvement projects.
The website became a significant part of the Bob Vila brand and extended his reach well beyond television.
Bob Vila Wife
Bob Vila has been married to Diana Barrett since 1975. Barrett is an accomplished academic and philanthropist. She previously taught at Harvard and later founded the Fledgling Fund, an organization supporting documentary films and social-impact projects. The couple met in the 1970s while working around historic-home renovation and restoration projects. Their marriage has lasted for more than five decades.
Bob Vila Children
Bob Vila and Diana Barrett have three children:
- Christopher Vila
- Monica Vila
- Susannah Vila
Public biographical sources identify Christopher as the eldest, followed by Monica and Susannah. The family has largely maintained a private life despite Vila’s decades of television exposure.
Bob Vila Family
Vila’s family background is closely connected to his interest in construction and architecture. His father built the family’s home by hand, giving Vila firsthand exposure to construction when he was young.
Vila is also of Cuban heritage and was born and raised in Miami. He has spoken about his family’s connection to Cuba and has supported the preservation of historic sites associated with Cuban-American history. His wife, Diana Barrett, has had her own distinguished career in education and philanthropy.
Bob Vila Height
IMDb lists Bob Vila at 5 feet 9 inches (1.75 meters) tall.
Bob Vila Salary
Bob Vila’s current annual salary is not publicly disclosed.
Interestingly, historical records provide an unusual insight into his early This Old House compensation. According to Celebrity Net Worth, Vila initially earned only $200 per episode, or about $5,200 for a 26-episode season. His compensation later increased to approximately $800 per episode.
His earnings later grew substantially through syndicated television, book sales, commercial endorsements, particularly his Sears Craftsman relationship, and other business ventures.
Because these income sources changed considerably throughout his career, there is no reliable single figure for his current annual salary.
Bob Vila Net Worth
The most consistent current public estimate places Bob Vila’s net worth at approximately $80 million.
Celebrity Net Worth currently lists his net worth at $80 million, while other recent online estimates have also converged around the same figure.
His wealth has been built from several sources, including:
- Television hosting and production
- Book sales
- Product endorsements
- Sears Craftsman partnerships
- Home-improvement businesses
- Digital media
- Real estate
The $80 million figure is an estimate, not a publicly audited valuation. Vila’s complete assets, investments and private financial holdings are not publicly available.
Bob Vila Real Estate
Real estate has been an important part of Vila’s life since before his television career. He built his early professional experience restoring historic properties in Boston and later owned several significant homes.
In recent years, his family has had substantial real estate holdings in Palm Beach, Florida, and Massachusetts. A Palm Beach property associated with Vila and Diana Barrett was listed for $52.9 million in 2024, illustrating the scale of some of the family’s real estate assets.
However, the value of a property should not be treated as equivalent to Vila’s personal net worth because ownership, financing and other family assets can affect the actual value attributable to an individual.
Bob Vila Philanthropy and Preservation Work
Vila has been involved in several housing and historic-preservation causes. His official biography highlights his work with Habitat for Humanity, the National Alliance to End Homelessness and the Finca Vigía Foundation, which is involved with preserving Ernest Hemingway’s former home and collections near Havana, Cuba. He has also served on architectural and cultural organizations, reflecting his longstanding interest in historic preservation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bob Vila
How old is Bob Vila?
Bob Vila was born on June 20, 1946, making him 80 years old in 2026.
Where was Bob Vila born?
He was born in Miami, Florida.
Who is Bob Vila’s wife?
His wife is Diana Barrett. They married in 1975 and have remained together for more than 50 years.
How many children does Bob Vila have?
Bob Vila and Diana Barrett have three children: Christopher, Monica and Susannah.
How tall is Bob Vila?
He is listed at 5 feet 9 inches (1.75 m) by IMDb.
What is Bob Vila famous for?
He is best known as the original host of This Old House, which he hosted from 1979 to 1989.
Why did Bob Vila leave This Old House?
He left in 1989 following disagreements concerning his outside commercial endorsements and the show’s sponsorship arrangements.
What did Bob Vila do after This Old House?
He hosted Bob Vila’s Home Again from 1990 and later hosted programs including Bob Vila and Restore America with Bob Vila.
What is Bob Vila’s salary?
His current salary is not publicly disclosed. Historical reporting shows that his early This Old House salary was very modest, while later income came from television, endorsements, books and business ventures.
What is Bob Vila’s net worth?
The most consistent current estimate is approximately $80 million.