He Has 240 Tattoos and Faced Harsh Judgment as a Father—Until His Wife Revealed the Truth

The saying “Don’t judge a book by its cover” is an important reminder, especially when it comes to judging parents based on their appearance. It can be incredibly unfair to assume someone isn’t a good parent just because they don’t fit the typical image of one.

Tattoos have long been a powerful way for people to express their individuality. Richard Huff, 51, certainly embraces this form of self-expression—he has over 240 tattoos covering his body.

Despite this, many people judged Richard harshly, assuming he was a bad father simply because of the tattoos on his face. But then his wife shared a surprising truth that changed many minds. Together, the tattooed dad and his wife are raising five children. His wife often posts about their family life on social media, showing the strong bond between Richard and their kids—much to the surprise of many online critics.

Richard Huff, now 51, wants people to understand that his family is just like any other. Despite this, he often faces online ridicule from strangers because of his appearance.

He shared how his tattoo journey began: “It became an addiction. I started with my legs and worked my way up,” Richard explained. Today, tattoos cover about 85% of his body, including his daughter’s lips and the names of his children.

“I plan to be completely covered in tattoos, probably within the next four years,” he said. “I’m not sure if it’s the pain or the artwork itself, but it’s fascinating to be able to create this on your own skin.”

Having so many tattoos does come with its challenges. Richard revealed that kids at his children’s school find him intimidating. His daughter said, “They say, ‘Ah, he’s a bit scary,’ but I tell them, ‘No, my dad isn’t scary; he just loves tattoos.’”

Richard’s wife, Marita, admitted she was initially frightened by his appearance. “I judged Richard based on how he looked at first, but once I got to know him, I realized he has a huge heart,” she shared.

Marita often praises Richard, writing about how he loves her in a way no one else ever has. She celebrates him as a devoted husband and caring father figure. With three children from previous marriages, Marita has said Richard has been much more than just a father—he’s a true dad to all their kids.

When asked about his role in the community, Richard said, “I’m active in the PTA and attend all my kids’ events.”

Despite his kindness being well known, criticism continues to follow him. Responding to his facial tattoos, one commenter wrote, “I’m not against tattoos, but honestly, does he really need tattoos on his face like that?”

Yet, Richard has plenty of supporters as well. One defender said, “People keep focusing on his face tattoo, but he chose it. He’s a great dad. Let him be.”

Richard addressed the negativity, stating, “If someone feels the need to make hurtful remarks, it says more about their own issues than about me.” He added, “This is our life, and we’re happy. We’ve been together six years, our kids are happy, and that’s what truly matters to us.”

ichard shared that his love for his family remains strong, regardless of how they feel about him—or even how he may feel about them at times.
“My tattoos don’t frighten my children, and they don’t make me a bad dad,” he explained. “If anything, they help my kids see the world from a unique perspective.”

And when you see what Richard looked like before getting all the tattoos… you might not believe it’s even the same person!