Barbara Roufs was a model and trophy girl from America. In her days, she stunned the world with her stunning appearance and charm. Apart from that, she was a drag racing champion. In her days, she was a really famous and popular name in the US and also in the world of drag racing.
However, tragedy never spares anyone. Therefore, it also did not spare her. This stunning personality, who attracted multiple companies to market their products, fell prey to the dark clutches of death. If you wish to know more about her, then you should go through this article in detail.
Barbara Roufs Early Life
To begin with, she breathed her first in the year 1944 in Southern California, United States. She was born to Thelma Ruby Riles, her mother, and Wayne Eldon Riley, her father.
Let me tell you that Barbara was part of a family of four siblings, including her biological brothers and sisters, Vivian Deaton, James Riles, and Bruce Riley. In addition to her biological siblings, she also had an adopted brother named Ben Gube.
Her mother was a prominent figure in her community, having owned a beauty salon in Clovis for five decades. Additionally, she was known for her musical talents and served as the organist for various churches, including the Church of the Nazarene, Calvary Bible (Bullard), Baptist Valley Bible, and Grace Baptist Church. On the other hand, Her father was an avid motorcycle enthusiast and actively participated in racing events at the Kearney Bowl.
Remarkably, her parents achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first couple to be honoured with induction into the Clovis Hall of Fame. Her upbringing took place in California, where she spent her childhood years.
Following her education, she developed a fascination for drag racing. However, rather than becoming a race driver, she pursued a role as a trophy girl.
Career
During the late 1960s and early 1970s, Barbara held the role of a drag racing trophy girl, leaving an indelible mark in the racing world. Notably, she was crowned the queen of the 6th annual U.S. Professional Dragster Championship hosted at Orange County International Raceway. Additionally, in 1973, she earned the title of the PDA (Professional Dragster Association) queen.
Her striking beauty also caught the attention of manufacturers and businesses seeking to promote their products to the drag racing audience. As a result, Barbara’s image frequently graced branded t-shirts and advertisements in magazines.
Her presence breathed life into the drag racing scene, serving as a crucial figure during the sport’s evolution in the 1970s, transitioning from the golden era of the 1960s.
During this time, racers were upgrading their vehicles with more powerful engines and improved models. While Barbara presented trophies to the race winners, it was her captivating looks that made her a celebrated and recognizable personality within the PDA.
Barbara Roufs Net Worth
We already know that she had a successful career as a drag racing trophy girl and model during the 1970s. During that era, the exact amounts earned by trophy girls were not widely known, but Barbara earned her income through regular salaries. Her iconic photos from the 1970s continue to be available for purchase online. Her net worth is reported to be around $1.5 million.
Personal Life
Let me tell you that she was married and had one child. To be precise, she had a son named Jet Dougherty. She became a mother at the age of 29. Despite her public presence, the identity of Barbara Roufs’ husband remains undisclosed.
The Untimely Death
In 2016, a photographer named Tom West shared a collection of photographs showcasing Barbara during her early years as a trophy girl. Following the photo upload, Jet, Barbara’s daughter, left a touching tribute comment in honour of her mother.
She expressed that her mother was widely recognized and cherished, and she was taken aback by the surprise of finding these images online. Nevertheless, Jet believed her mother would have been proud to see these pictures as they captured some of her most joyful moments in life.
Tragically, Jet also revealed that her mother had passed away in January 1991. Cause of Barbara Roufs death was suicide, although the specific reasons for this decision remained unclear.
At the time of her passing, Barbara was 47 years old. Prior to her untimely demise, Barbara had been residing with her family in Fresno, California, United States.
Also read: Kitty O’Neil: Bio, Career, Husband, Death and More
