Rick Ness wiki-bio, net worth, mother , girlfriend, marriage & kids.

Rick Ness is a gold miner, former musician, and television personality best known for his role on Discovery Channel’s Gold Rush. Before he ever picked up a shovel, he was hitting the road with a bass guitar, touring with the .357 String Band—a group rooted in Americana music.

His path into mining started in an unexpected way. In Season 3 of Gold Rush, Rick joined Parker Schnabel’s crew with no prior experience in the field. Despite being new, he adapted quickly, learned the ropes, and became a key part of the operation. After six seasons working alongside Parker, Rick decided it was time to lead his own crew in the Klondike.

Since then, he’s been managing his own team and tackling the challenges of running an independent mining operation. Whether in music or mining, Rick’s story is about stepping into something new, learning fast, and making it work.

Early Life & Background

Rick Ness was born on March 5, 1981, in Michigan and raised in the town of Escanaba. He is the son of Judy Marie Bedard and Richard Ness Sr., and has a twin brother named Randy Ness. Randy works as a mechanic and is actively involved in the family’s construction business, Roy Ness Contracting and Sales Inc., a company originally founded by their grandfather Roy Ness in Escanaba.

From a young age, Rick was surrounded by heavy equipment and job-site responsibilities. He learned how to operate machinery and handle physical labor early on, gaining firsthand experience in the construction trade. Despite this early exposure, his passions extended beyond the job site. During his school years, Rick excelled in both football and music. He graduated from Escanaba Area High School in 1999 and briefly pursued college football until a head injury prematurely ended his athletic career.

Rick’s father and mother divorced years ago. In 2003, Judy relocated to the Rhinelander area in Michigan, and Rick eventually followed, making his home there as well. Judy ran a local sandwich shop named “Subby’s” on Brown Street and later joined the Oneida County Sheriff’s Department, working as a secretary and briefly as a corrections officer.

Growing up in a blue-collar household, Rick was shaped by strong family values and a legacy of service. Both of his grandfathers were World War veterans who lived well into their late 80s and 90s. One grandfather passed away at age 94, while the other—affectionately known to Rick as “Pa”—died at 89. Rick often credits them with instilling a deep sense of purpose and resilience, saying they were “commanding lives while building a future for their families,” even through the hardships of the Great Depression.

Rick’s mother, Judy, battled cancer and tragically passed away at the age of 55 on March 20, 2018. Rick was by her side at the time of her passing.

Music Career

With sports off the table, Rick found himself drawn more seriously to music. In 2003, Rick moved to Milwaukee, where his mother Judy was living at the time, and soon after joined a band that would go on to be known as the .357 String Band. The story of how he joined the group is pretty straightforward—classic Rick.

“I must have been 22 or 23 years old,” he once recalled. “I went to a concert to see a different band. But this other band was opening up. Their bass was terrible…I mean absolutely awful. So I approached them after the show and asked them to give me a shot. And that’s how I ended up in the band. That was around 2003.”

He played upright bass and toured internationally with the band, which released three albums—Ghost Town (2006), Fire & Hail (2008), and Lightning From The North (2010). The group disbanded in 2011, bringing Rick’s time in music to a close. But before that, a tour stop in Alaska would unknowingly set the stage for his next chapter.

Meeting Parker

During his time with the .357 String Band, Rick Ness performed across the U.S., including a tour stop at the Southeast Alaskan State Fair. It was there that he crossed paths with Parker Schnabel—long before either man imagined they’d work together in gold mining. At the time, Rick had no experience in mining, but he expressed interest in the trade. His only connection to the field was his practical knowledge of heavy machinery, gained from years working in his family’s construction business back in Escanaba.

Around nine months later, Parker reached out with a job offer. Rick accepted and flew to Alaska on just 12 days’ notice. Though he started as a rookie, he quickly proved himself valuable thanks to his mechanical background and adaptability

Gold Rush Journey:

Parker’s Crew Member

Rick officially began his mining career in 2012 when he joined Discovery’s Gold Rush in Season 3 as a member of Parker Schnabel’s crew. He started at Parker’s Big Nugget mine as a rock truck driver and quickly adapted to the rugged conditions of the Alaskan wilderness. Over time, he mastered various types of heavy machinery, including excavators and loaders.

By Season 5, Rick had earned a promotion to foreman, responsible for managing day-to-day mining operations. He became one of Parker’s most trusted team members and played a vital role in running multiple cuts during key mining periods. Rick also formed a professional bond with Parker’s grandfather, John Schnabel, who occasionally visited the mine and offered guidance to the crew.

Tensions began to surface in Season 6, particularly during Episode 12: Crew War, which aired on January 8, 2016. In that episode, Parker introduced a new mechanic named Derek, which led to crew friction and growing unease. Rick, already feeling pressure in his leadership role, expressed frustration with the decision-making on-site. On the same day, after viewing the episode’s preview, Rick posted on Facebook describing it as “the lowest part of the season,” prompting an outpouring of fan support. Many viewers criticized Parker’s handling of the situation and praised Rick’s loyalty and work ethic, with some encouraging him to launch his own mining venture.

Despite this public conflict, Rick remained with Parker through Season 8, where he led operations at the Indian River claim. In The Curse of the Fairplay Mountains, which aired on November 3, 2017, Parker became frustrated when Rick’s failure to manage his cut led to a shutdown. Tensions continued in Colorado Strikes Back (Episode 6), where Rick’s efforts to increase production backfired, drawing more scrutiny.

The situation reached a critical point in Of Monsters and Men (Episode 16), aired on February 2, 2018, when Parker threatened to shut down Rick’s entire operation after production dropped significantly. The mounting pressure and breakdowns in communication contributed to Rick’s eventual decision to leave Parker’s crew.

Launching an Independent Operation

In Season 9 (2018), Rick Ness officially parted ways with Parker Schnabel and launched his first independent mining operation in the Yukon. After six years working as Parker’s foreman, Rick was ready to prove himself as a mine boss and leader. He saw this as both a professional challenge and a personal journey of growth.

Rick assembled a crew composed mostly of friends from his hometown of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, many of whom were inexperienced in gold mining. Despite the learning curve, Rick had confidence in his team. Key members included mechanic Zee Zaremba, survival expert Karla Ann Charlton, and later in the season, gold mining veteran Freddy Dodge, who was brought in to assist with wash plant setup and improving gold recovery.

He leased a claim at Duncan Creek, a historically rich mining area. Beyond financial goals, the season carried emotional significance—Rick’s mother had recently passed away from brain cancer. Mining served as a way to cope with the grief while honoring her memory. Though he had inherited her house, he hadn’t returned since her funeral and expressed guilt over leaving it behind.

Rick’s first season came with major challenges: mechanical breakdowns, inclement weather, mounting debt, and morale issues. He was also mining in competition with Parker and Tony Beets, who were working nearby claims. At times, Rick felt the pressure and stress of running his own show.

Still, there were meaningful victories. He opened a new cut—Shamrock Cut—with the help of his father, Rick Ness Sr., who came to visit and assist. Rick found coarse gold and nuggets that lifted spirits and brought new motivation. Over the course of the season, he grew closer to his crew and developed trust in their abilities.

By the season finale, despite ongoing battles with frozen ground and equipment issues, Rick and his crew produced around 1,105 ounces of gold, validating his decision to go independent and solidifying his place in the Klondike as a mine boss.

Operational Challenges and Temporary Departure

Rick returned for Season 10 (2019–2020), relocating his operation to Keno Hill, a region known for its historical mining activity. The season began with high gold prices but also intense pressure. Rick brought in his father, Rick Sr., to help scout for new ground, including a trip into the Keno mountains in search of large gold nuggets.

To boost production, Rick invested in a massive new wash plant—nicknamed Monster Red—but faced mechanical issues and engineering setbacks throughout the season. He also encountered disputes with landowners and was forced to troubleshoot persistent problems with his wash plant while trying to end the season strong.

Despite several near-shutdowns and major repair delays, Rick hit a productive gold layer late in the season, helping to salvage what had been an otherwise difficult year. By the end of the season, he and his team had extracted 547 ounces of gold from Duncan Creek—a notable drop from the previous year but still a hard-earned outcome amid constant setbacks.

In Season 11 (2020–2021), Rick faced a shortened and delayed season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which limited crew size and access to resources. He returned with a smaller team and fewer machines, forcing him to scale down his operation and prioritize efficiency.

Early in the season, Rick began pulling in gold despite the constraints. In It’s Alive (Episode 5), he took a major risk by investing nearly all his gold in a new machine to boost recovery. Midway through the season, he gambled on a hunch and dug in a new area, which paid off. However, equipment failures—like a sluice box leak in Lost Gold of Paradise Hill (Episode 8)—threatened his progress.

In Got Your Six (Episode 13), Rick was forced to cash in a large gold haul to fund the remainder of his season. The departure of mechanic Carl Rosk for emergency surgery placed additional strain on the crew. By Episode 9 of the season, Rick had already mined 393 ounces of gold, closing in on his 1,000-ounce target. He and his team ultimately finished the season with approximately 1,080 ounces of gold, a marked improvement over the previous year.

By the end of Season 12, interest in Rick Ness extended beyond mining, fueled by social media discussions surrounding his relationship with Leese M. Arie. After his absence from Season 13, Rick publicly addressed his situation in 2023, confirming he had taken time away from mining and filming to prioritize his mental health.

Return in Season 14

Rick Ness returned to Gold Rush in Season 14 (2023), resuming leadership of a mining crew that included returning members like Zee Zaremba. With updated strategies and renewed focus, Rick resumed operations with the goal of restoring productivity and maintaining a sustainable mining venture.

While discussing his return, Rick acknowledged the difficulties of managing a mining business under public scrutiny. His Season 14 comeback marked a continuation of his efforts to reestablish stability and performance in the field.

Rick Ness remains one of the series’ longest-running cast members to operate both as a foreman and independent mine boss. His journey reflects the realities of gold mining, including its financial risks, technical demands, and personal toll.

Net Worth

As of 2025, Rick Ness’s estimated net worth stands at $3 million. The bulk of his income comes from his successful gold mining operations in the Yukon, along with his long-running role on Discovery Channel’s Gold Rush. Over the years, Ness has also boosted his earnings through merchandise sales, public appearances, and behind-the-scenes contributions to the show’s production.

Personal Life

Rick Ness’s Relationship with Leese Marie and Personal Journey

Rick Ness is currently unmarried but has been in a long-term, public relationship with Leese Marie, a former nurse originally from Wisconsin who now resides in Arizona.

Their relationship began in 2019 after connecting through social media. Rick reached out to Leese after seeing her content on Instagram and TikTok. She later traveled to Alaska to meet him in person while he was filming Gold Rush, and they began dating shortly afterward. In 2021, Leese joined Rick on Gold Rush, assisting with his mining operation and making her debut on the show.

In October 2022, Rick and Leese visited a jewelry store in Arizona to select engagement rings. The visit was publicly shared by the jeweler and generated buzz among fans. Around the same time, Rick made a heartfelt birthday post for Leese, referring to her as his “favorite girl” and hinting at their engagement.

That same month, Rick opened up about his mental health struggles in a Facebook post. He shared that the death of his mother in 2018 had a long-lasting emotional impact. Rick admitted to bottling up his grief and said that it resurfaced later, affecting his ability to cope with stress and contributing to a difficult period in his personal life.

In December 2022, Rick posted a public message acknowledging challenges in his relationship with Leese. He admitted to missteps, emotional unavailability, and personal failings, stating that Leese had remained supportive through his lowest points. He emphasized that she had been unfairly blamed for his personal struggles and clarified that he alone was responsible for the problems they faced.

Despite the challenges, Rick and Leese appeared to be back on good terms by January 2023. Rick shared a photo of them together on Facebook with a New Year’s message about leaving past hardships behind and embracing a fresh start.

In late 2023, rumors surfaced online suggesting Rick was romantically involved with a new crew member named Morgan. Rick directly addressed the speculation in a detailed Facebook statement dated November 2, 2023. He denied the rumor, explaining that Morgan was a recommended hire with professional experience and was not involved with him personally. He reiterated that Leese had no connection to the situation and again accepted sole responsibility for decisions made during that time.

By early 2024, Rick confirmed their continued commitment by referring to Leese as “the future Mrs. Ness” in a Facebook post while moving his belongings from Brookfield back to Arizona. The couple has not announced a wedding date, but Rick’s consistent public references to Leese affirm the strength of their relationship.

While Rick and Leese do not have children together, Leese has a son named Jaxson from a previous relationship. Rick has shown an active role in Jaxson’s life, including celebrating his birthday publicly and sharing family moments on social media.

Wiki/Bio Facts

Fact	Value
Full name	Rick Ness
Date of birth	March 5, 1981
Age	44 years old
Place of birth	Michigan, U.S
Nationality	American
Height (approx)	6 feet 1 inch
Weight (around)	85 kg
Education	Escanaba Area High School, college degree (unknown)
Occupation	Gold miner, Reality TV star, Former Musician
Net worth	Started in 2011, worked with Parker Schnabel for six years, and became a mine boss in 2018
TV shows	Gold Rush
Band name	.357 String Band
Instruments	Bass guitar, vocals
Band albums	Ghost Town (2006), Fire & Hail (2008), Lightning From The North (2010)
Band genre	Americana, bluegrass, country punk
Mining experience	Worked with Parker Schnabel for six years, became a mine boss in 2018
Mining crew	His friends from Milwaukee and his father Big Rick
Mining locations	Alaska, Yukon, Guyana, Oregon
Girlfriend	Leese Marie
Mother	Judy Marie Bedard (deceased)
Father	Rick Ness Sr. aka Big Rick
Brother	Randy Ness (twin)