Ricki Lake Celebrates Anniversary, Reflecting on Love and Resilience After Loss

Ricki Lake is celebrating her wedding anniversary with Ross Burningham after 2025 “transformed” their lives.

“Happy 4 years to us!!!!! We discovered each other when we least anticipated it, during the most challenging days of Covid, both in our 50’s. We shouldn’t have ever met, but fate intervened. Thank you, Gem! ,” Lake, 57, wrote via Instagram on Saturday, January 3.

Lake and Burningham exchanged vows in 2022 after being introduced on a blind date. She was previously married to jewelry designer Christian Evans from 2012 to 2015 and illustrator Rob Sussman from 1994 to 2003, with whom she shares sons Milo, 28, and Owen, 24.

“Ross, I cherish sharing life with you. So thankful for each and every day we spend together,” Lake continued her social media tribute on Saturday, which featured a carousel of photos of the couple. “This year has dramatically altered our lives and yet, through our dedicated partnership and bond we have managed to recover from adversity, quite literally and shift direction, and still appreciate the joy and wonder in all of life’s surprises and difficulties. I’m incredibly proud of how we have rallied and created a fresh and exciting next chapter for us in NYC. Thanks for saying yes on that day 4 years ago and every day since. 2026 will be wonderful. I love you. .”

Ricki Lake Shares Update on ‘Invaluable’ Birth Photos Lost in L.A. Wildfires

Almost a year ago, Lake and Burningham lost their Malibu home in the devastating Los Angeles wildfires. She documented how the flames engulfed the property in a video shared via Instagram at the time.

“1/7/25 The day we lost our home. timeline of our efforts to protect our beloved home in Malibu,” Lake wrote in the caption. “11:24 am early signs of smoke in Temescal Canyon 11:54 am setting up our fire defense system. 4:10 pm Ross watering our neighbors palm tree (a clever move) 6:17 pm Ross attempting to siphon gas for the fire defense system motor. (An even more clever move, though it didn’t work.) 6:55 do we stay or do we go? Part 2 is next.
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In a second video, she showed more footage of the fires approaching, writing, “We ultimately surrendered our efforts and left our home at 8:02 pm. Grateful to have escaped alive and unharmed. Forever grateful to @kirbykotler_ our absolute angel. He did everything to try to save our precious property. There’s no doubt that had we remained, we would not have survived. Sharing for all who have been asking. Thank you for the love and well wishes. Again, please pray for those affected by this catastrophic event and offer assistance if you are able. Bless our brave firefighters and first responders. May they remain safe. .”

Lake and Burningham subsequently moved to New York City and she told People she’s been “embracing this city in a way that I never did when I departed 22 years ago after my show concluded. It’s remarkable.” (She hosted her eponymous talk show from 1993 to 2004.)

Jamie Chung and Bryan Greenberg Share Update on Home Rebuild After Wildfires

“We made this very spontaneous decision to relocate here,” she said in an interview published on Sunday, January 4. “And honestly, it’s been the best thing we could have done for both of us.”

In another New Year post shared via Instagram, Lake wrote, “I am approaching the future with an open mind and heart for what is coming next in 2026. With endless love and gratitude for this wild, unpredictable, and never dull life of mine. #happynewyear #grateful.”