Did Ripley Have a Heart Attack on TV’s First Reality Show?

Ripley's first TV show is arguably the first “reality” show in history.

Vintage & Historical
1 min
Sabrina Sieck
Sabrina Sieck
Did Ripley Have a Heart Attack on TV’s First Reality Show?
All stories
Vintage & Historical

First Reality Show

He recovered enough to finish the show, but admitted himself into a hospital the next morning. A checkup revealed Ripley had a heart condition, although not thought to be critical. Three days later, the Modern Marco Polo had a fatal heart attack.

Robert Ripley tombstone.

The 14th episode was a eulogy and the series continued on for more than two years, hosted by Robert St. John and Ripley’s close friend Li Ling Ai.