Kim Johnson, a beloved contestant from the reality television series Survivor: Africa, has passed away at the age of 79. The news was confirmed by her former co-star and season winner, Ethan Zohn, who took to Instagram to express his sorrow. “Rest in peace Kim Johnson. It was a blessing to call you my friend and a privilege to experience the final tribal council with you,” Zohn wrote, sharing a heartfelt tribute alongside a reel of their moments together on the show. He added, “I will forever have that planters punch in your honor! ❤️.”
Johnson’s family, including her three children, Wendy, Kerry, and Teddy, released a statement to Us Weekly, highlighting the legacy she leaves behind. “Our mom leaves a legacy of strength, resilience, kindness, and generosity,” they said. “She wore her rose-colored glasses right up until the end. She was the coolest mom and grandmother in the world. We will miss her forever…”
At the time of her passing, the cause of death was not disclosed. The Survivor community quickly rallied to pay their respects, with Survivor 44 winner Yam Yam Arocho also sharing his condolences, writing, “Kim J, Rest in Peace 🙏.”
Kim Johnson gained fame as a fan-favorite on Survivor: Africa, which premiered in 2001. At 56 years old, she made history as the oldest female contestant to compete on the show. Throughout her time on the season, Johnson showcased her competitive spirit, winning a total of seven challenges, including two immunity necklaces, one of which was during the final challenge.
In that final challenge, Johnson, Zohn, and Lex Van den Berghe were tasked with balancing on a log while keeping one hand on the tribal immunity idol. During the grueling competition, Johnson famously imagined herself on a beach with a “planter’s punch” cocktail in hand. After two and a half hours, Zohn was the first to let go, followed by Van den Berghe, who dropped out due to stomach pains. Johnson emerged victorious after more than three hours, making her the oldest person to win the challenge.
This victory secured her place in the finale, where she became the oldest woman to reach the final tribal council. After voting out Van den Berghe, Johnson and Zohn sat side by side during the final tribal council. Ultimately, Zohn was crowned the winner, while Johnson finished as the runner-up with a 5-2 jury vote, making her the first Survivor finalist to receive fewer than three jury votes.
In her final tribal council speech, Johnson expressed her gratitude, saying, “You all made me feel important without exception. Each one of you has helped me be the best that I can be, and so I’m leaving here like a winner big time.”
Although Johnson never returned to play Survivor again, she remained a cherished figure among fans. She still holds the record for the oldest woman finalist in the franchise’s history. After her time on Survivor, Johnson, who lived in Oyster Bay, New York, worked as a coordinator for an indoor tennis club and dedicated her time to volunteering for the blind and deaf.
The reality television community is mourning the loss of a true pioneer. On July 29, Johnson’s daughter, Kerry Johnson Tichi, confirmed her passing to People Magazine. “Our mom leaves a legacy of strength, resilience, kindness, and generosity,” Tichi reiterated in her statement. “She wore her rose-colored glasses right up until the end. She was the coolest mom and grandmother in the world. We will miss her forever…”
Survivor host Jeff Probst also shared his condolences, stating, “Kim was a pioneer on Survivor and we are deeply sorry to learn of her passing. She still holds the record for the oldest woman to ever win an immunity challenge, earned her place in the final two, and even received votes to win the game. I remember even then at just 56, how inspiring she was to other ‘older’ people because she showed that age was merely a number and that if you were willing to risk failing, you might just amaze yourself.”
Other Survivor alumni joined in to pay tribute to Johnson. Ethan Zohn, who formed a close bond with her during their season, expressed his sorrow, saying, “Rest in peace Kim Johnson. It was a blessing to call you my friend and a privilege to experience the final tribal council with you. I will forever have that planters punch in your honor.”
In a montage shared by Zohn, clips of Johnson competing on Survivor were featured, including her touching moments with fellow contestants. “You all made me so important, without exception, each one of you has helped me be the best that I can be, and so I’m leaving here like a winner big time,” she said in one of her memorable speeches.
Johnson’s determination and spirit shone through during her time on Survivor. She often spoke about the inner strength she discovered within herself, stating, “Final immunity challenge was not luck, was not being nice, was not any of those things… That was something that came out of me, inside of me, a determination I haven’t seen in me maybe ever.”
As the news of her passing spreads, fans and fellow contestants alike are reflecting on the impact Johnson had on the Survivor franchise and the lives she touched. Her legacy of resilience and kindness will undoubtedly live on in the hearts of those who knew her and those who admired her from afar.
Kim Johnson’s journey on Survivor: Africa not only showcased her competitive spirit but also her ability to inspire others, proving that age is just a number. Her contributions to the show and her life beyond it will be remembered fondly by many.
May Kim Johnson rest in peace, and may her legacy continue to inspire future generations.
Source: People Magazine, Us Weekly, CBS
