Deirdre Imus transitioned from public life as the wife of shock-jock broadcaster Don Imus to an influential voice in environmental health, pediatric oncology advocacy, and sustainable living. Best known for co-founding the Imus Cattle Ranch for Kids with Cancer and establishing the Deirdre Imus Environmental Center for Pediatric Oncology, she carved out a distinct public identity centered on toxin reduction and organic child care.
Born Deirdre Coleman in August 1964, she graduated from Villanova University before entering the public sphere. Her trajectory shifted dramatically following her marriage to Don Imus in 1994, moving from television and minor acting credits into high-profile philanthropy and health activism. Understanding her path requires examining how she leveraged her platform to build institutional health centers, publish bestselling guides on green living, and manage a sprawling working cattle ranch in New Mexico.
Environmental Health Advocacy and Pediatric Oncology
Deirdre Imus entered the national conversation on environmental toxins following personal health scares and a growing public interest in the links between everyday chemicals and childhood illness. She founded the Deirdre Imus Environmental Center for Pediatric Oncology at Hackensack University Medical Center in New Jersey. The center aims to identify, control, and prevent potential environmental hazards linked to pediatric cancer and other chronic health issues.
Her work at the hospital focused heavily on operational changes:
- Eliminating toxic cleaning products from healthcare facilities.
- Removing artificial additives and processed ingredients from cafeteria menus.
- Educating parents and medical professionals on safer alternatives for chemical exposures.
Her advocacy extended to authorship. She published several books through major publishers, including Green This! Greening Your Cleaning and Growing Up Green: Baby and Child Care. These publications provided consumer-focused advice on purging household chemicals, opting for organic textiles, and minimizing synthetic exposures for developing children. In recognition of these efforts, the National Audubon Society awarded her the Rachel Carson Award for Women in Conservation in 2007.
The Imus Cattle Ranch for Kids with Cancer
Perhaps her most ambitious undertaking was the creation and operation of the Imus Ranch. Located near Ribera, New Mexico, the property spanned thousands of acres and functioned as a working cattle ranch designed to host children with cancer and siblings of SIDS victims.
The ranch cost upwards of $25 million to construct, funded through private contributions, corporate sponsorships, and annual radiothons. Children visited free of charge to experience manual labor, horseback riding, and outdoor farm life, which founders believed would build self-esteem and resilience during grueling medical treatments. Deirdre oversaw much of the daily programming, nutritional standards, and ranch design, emphasizing organic diets and sustainable operations.
After Don Imus retired from broadcasting and faced declining health, the couple listed the property. In April 2018, the ranch was sold to Patrick Gottsch, founder of RFD-TV, marking the end of its chapter as a dedicated pediatric charity retreat. Don Imus passed away in December 2019, after which Deirdre largely stepped back from regular broadcasting appearances to focus on private artistic pursuits and painting.
Books and Published Works
Deirdre Imus documented much of her philosophy through non-fiction titles that targeted mainstream parents. Her primary publications include:
- The Imus Ranch: Cooking for Kids and Cowboys (2004) – A cookbook featuring wholesome recipes tailored for ranch guests.
- Green This! Greening Your Cleaning (2007) – A practical manual for replacing toxic household cleaners with natural ingredients.
- The Essential Green You! (2008) – A guide focused on personal care products and bodily toxin reduction.
- Growing Up Green: Baby and Child Care (2008) – An overview of nursery safety, organic clothing, and chemical-free infant care.
For more details on her publishing history and institutional affiliations, consult her official author page on Simon & Schuster.
Common Misconceptions About Deirdre Imus
Public figures associated with high-profile media personalities often face mischaracterizations. It's common to conflate her institutional health initiatives with fringe medical claims. While she advocated for strict organic standards and chemical elimination, her hospital-affiliated center operated within established medical frameworks at Hackensack University Medical Center, focusing on verifiable environmental hazard reduction rather than unproven alternative treatments.
Another frequent point of confusion involves the ownership timeline of the New Mexico property. While media reports frequently label her as a lifelong rancher, the ranch was an acquired philanthropic project established in the late 1990s and operated for roughly two decades before its sale in 2018.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Deirdre Imus doing now?
Following the sale of the ranch and the passing of her husband Don Imus in 2019, she shifted her focus toward fine art and painting, maintaining a lower public profile compared to her active years in media and environmental advocacy.
Did Deirdre Imus found a hospital center?
Yes. She founded the Deirdre Imus Environmental Center for Pediatric Oncology at Hackensack University Medical Center to research and mitigate environmental exposures affecting children with cancer.
Who owned the Imus Ranch after the Imuses?
The property was purchased in April 2018 by Patrick Gottsch, the founder of RFD-TV, who utilized the land for western heritage media production facilities.
What awards has Deirdre Imus received?
She received the National Audubon Society's Rachel Carson Award for Women in Conservation in May 2007 and served on the board of directors for the National Autism Association.
