Bob Ross died of complications from lymphoma, a type of cancer, at the age of 52 on July 4, 1995
. He had been a lifelong smoker and was diagnosed with lymphoma in 1994, shortly after his wife Jane's death from cancer in 1992
. The cancer returned for the second time before his death, and he had also suffered two heart attacks earlier in life
. Despite his illness, Ross continued working and filming his TV series, "The Joy of Painting," until shortly before his death
. His final televised appearances showed him looking frail as the disease progressed
. Ross died at his home in Orlando, Florida, and was buried in a simple grave in Woodlawn Memorial Park, Gotha, Orange County, Florida
. There was speculation that his lymphoma may have been linked to prolonged exposure to paint thinner and his heavy smoking, although the exact cause was never confirmed
. After his death, there was a legal battle over the rights to his name and estate, which involved his family and business partners
