Rick is an American travel writer, author, activist, and TV personality. He is the anchor of Rick Steves’ Europe and Travel with Rick Steves.
Rick Steves’ Early Life and Education:
Richard John Steves Jr. was conceived on May 10, 1955, in Barstow, California, USA. He is the son of a high school band director and piano technician Richard John Steves and his mother June Erna Steves. He was raised along with two sisters Jan and Linda. Steves belongs to Norweigian ancestry.
Talking about his academics, Steves graduated from the University of Washington. He majored in business administration and European history in 1978. While his days in college, he taught in a student-run program for non-credit classes at his alma meter through The Experimental College.
Rick Steves’ Professional Career:
Right after his graduation, in 1979, he wrote the first edition of Europe Through the Back Door, a general guide on how to travel in Europe. Unlike other authors, in his first edition, the book contained a page. It stated, ” Anyone caught reprinting any material herein for any purpose whatsoever will be thanked profusely”. Likewise, he opened a storefront business. Initially, it served as both a piano lesson studio and a travel center.
He took travel classes, slide show presentations, travels counseling, and organized few group tours every year. In April 1991, his first TV show Travels in Europe With Rick Steves debuted on public television till 1998. His second show Rick Steves’ Europe aired from 2000 to 2020. He has even had a public radio show Travel With Rick Steves from 2005 till the present. In 2010, his company released a mobile phone app called “Rick Steves’ Audio Europe” which contained self-guided tours and geographical information
Personal Life:
Talking about his personal life, Rick Steves married his long-term girlfriend Anne Steves. However, their exact wedding date is unknown. They tied their knots in St Thomas of Villanova. Likewise, their reception was held at Saint David Gold Club. Together, the couple has two children.
