Ricko DeWilde is not publicly confirmed to be married, though he has been in a long-term relationship with Rona Vent since at least 2013. The Life Below Zero star and Koyukon Athabascan survival expert lives in Fairbanks, Alaska, with Rona and their five children. He remains one of National Geographic's most recognisable faces in the Alaskan wilderness.
Source: Instagram
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Key takeaways
- Ricko DeWilde is a Koyukon Athabascan hunter, entrepreneur, and Life Below Zero cast member.
- He has been with partner Rona Vent since 2013.
- They have five children together.
- Both his parents, Lloyd and Amelia DeWilde, have passed away.
- He overcame a past addiction and spent two years in prison before turning his life around.
Profile summary
Full name | Ricko DeWilde |
Date of birth | July 4, 1976 |
Age | 50 (as of 2026) |
Place of birth | Huslia, Alaska, USA |
Nationality | American |
Ethnicity | Koyukon Athabascan |
Profession | Reality TV personality, hunter, trapper, entrepreneur |
Education | Home-schooled; attended traditional school in senior year only |
Relationship status | In a relationship with Rona Vent (marriage unconfirmed) |
Children | Five: Simone, Skarlett, Maya (daughters), Skyler, Keenan (sons) |
Parents | Lloyd DeWilde (father, deceased) and Amelia DeWilde (mother, deceased) |
Zodiac sign | Cancer |
Ricko DeWilde is an American reality television personality and survival expert. He was born on 4 July 1976 in Huslia, Alaska. He is of Koyukon Athabascan descent, one of Alaska's indigenous people, whose territory spans the Koyukuk and Yukon river regions.
He came to national attention when he joined Life Below Zero for its eleventh season in 2018. The National Geographic show follows people who live off the land in Alaska's most remote regions.
National Geographic producers found him through his YouTube videos of Alaskan wilderness life. BBC Studios discovered him from videos he had posted online. He had launched his channel in November 2011, years before television came calling.
Source: Instagram
Ricko DeWilde's background and family roots
Ricko is one of 14 children. He grew up alongside 13 siblings in the remote Koyukuk-Yukon region of Alaska.
His mother, Amelia, is Koyukon Athabascan. His father, Lloyd, was an adventurer from California who settled in Alaska. Both parents have since passed away. Ricko told Indian Country Today (now ICT News) in 2019:
"We were home-schooled and grew up in our camps, living off the land, hunting, trapping, and fishing."
Ricko did not attend a traditional school until his senior year of high school. His education came from wilderness survival, skills passed down directly by his parents.
What happened to Ricko DeWilde's parents?
Both Lloyd and Amelia DeWilde have passed away. No specific dates of death have been publicly confirmed. Ricko has spoken about how their teachings shaped his identity and approach to parenting his own children.
His eldest sister, Riba May DeWilde, also died in 2016. Ricko's family has faced significant personal tragedy over the years.
Is Ricko DeWilde married to Rona Vent?
Ricko DeWilde's marriage status has not been confirmed. He has been in a relationship with Rona Vent since around 2013. The couple have never publicly announced a wedding.
Who is Rona Vent?
Rona Vent is Ricko's long-term partner and the mother of his five children. She is also Koyukon Athabascan, sharing the same cultural heritage. Very little public information about Rona exists independently of her relationship with Ricko.
How many children does Ricko DeWilde have?
Ricko and Rona have five children together:
- Daughters: Simone, Skarlett, and Maya
- Sons: Skyler and Keenan
The family lives in Fairbanks, Alaska, a city of around 30,000 people. Ricko has spoken openly about how his career has shaped him as a father.
Ricko DeWilde's career and businesses
Ricko joined Life Below Zero for Season 11 in 2018. He has appeared in over 30 episodes of the National Geographic series. The show, produced by BBC Studios, documents life in Alaska's most extreme conditions.
Source: Getty Images
By Season 22 (2023), Ricko's children were playing a larger role in the family's on-screen life. He also appeared in Life Below Zero: First Alaskans (2022), a spin-off focused on indigenous Alaskan communities.
HYDZ Gear and Native American activism
Away from television, Ricko founded HYDZ Gear, a clothing brand designed for cold, wet Alaskan conditions. The range includes hoodies, hats, coats, and shirts.
He has also been an outspoken advocate for Native American rights. In 2016, he organised a vigil for a Native man killed by police. He has spoken publicly about the rising number of Native Americans killed by law enforcement.
Ricko DeWilde's past struggles with addiction
Before finding fame, Ricko moved to a city at 18 and developed a drug addiction. He was later convicted on substance-possession charges and served two years in prison.
He has spoken candidly about his recovery. As of 2020, he had been clean for more than 15 years.
How much is Ricko DeWilde worth?
His exact net worth has not been published by official financial outlets. Some entertainment articles, such as The Richest, valued him at around $150,000 in 2022. His income comes from several sources:
- Life Below Zero appearance fees (reported at around $4,500 per episode)
- The HYDZ Gear clothing business
- His YouTube channel, which had over 8 million views as of 2022
FAQ
- Is Ricko DeWilde still alive? Yes, Ricko DeWilde is alive as of 2026. He continues to live in Fairbanks, Alaska, with his family.
- How old is Ricko DeWilde? He is 50 years old as of 2026, born on 4 July 1976.
- Where does Ricko DeWilde live now? Ricko lives in Fairbanks, Alaska, with his partner Rona Vent and their five children.
- How many children does Ricko DeWilde have? He has five children with Rona Vent: daughters Simone, Skarlett, and Maya, and sons Skyler and Keenan.
- What happened to Ricko DeWilde's parents? Both of Ricko's parents, Lloyd DeWilde and Amelia DeWilde, have passed away. No confirmed dates of death have been published.
- Does Ricko DeWilde have an ex-wife? No ex-wife is publicly known. Rona Vent is the only partner he has been publicly associated with.
- What happened to Ricko DeWilde's wife Rona Vent? Rona is alive and lives with Ricko and their five children in Fairbanks, Alaska. Their marital status has not been officially confirmed.
Final word
Tv personality Ricko DeWilde is yet to tie the knot. However, his long-term partnership with Rona Vent tells a different story. They’ve built a life that combines adventure, tradition, and resilience, raising five children in the remote Alaskan wilderness.
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Source: TUKO.co.ke