Survivor Alum Kim Johnson Passes Away at 79
Ethan Zohn and Kim Johnson Kevin Winter/Getty Images
Survivor alum Kim Johnson has passed away at the age of 79, according to her former costar and season winner Ethan Zohn.
Zohn, 50, took to social media to pay tribute to Johnson, 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.” He shared a reel of the two from their time on the reality series, adding, “I will forever have that planter’s punch in your honor! ❤️.”
Johnson’s three children, Wendy, Kerry, and Teddy, confirmed the news to Us Weekly.
In a statement, the family said, “Our mom leaves a legacy of strength, resilience, kindness, and generosity. 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 …”
Hollywood has mourned the loss of many celebrities in 2024. One notable death was that of Christian Oliver, the Speed Racer star, who died at 51 in a fatal plane crash on January 5. Oliver was traveling home from a Caribbean vacation with his two daughters, Madita and Annik, whom he shared with wife Jessica Klepser. […]
A cause of death for Johnson was not shared at the time.
Fans of Survivor took to social media to pay their respects to Johnson. Survivor 44 winner Yam Yam Arocho wrote, “Kim J, Rest in Peace 🙏.”
Johnson was a fan favorite on Survivor: Africa, which premiered in 2001. At the time, the retired teacher was 56 when she competed on the third season of Survivor, making her the first woman to be the oldest contestant of a season.
Throughout her time on the season, Johnson won a total of seven challenges. She won two immunity necklaces, including the final challenge.
Kim Johnson YouTube
In the last challenge of the season, Johnson, Zohn, and Lex Van den Berghe were tasked with keeping one hand on the tribal immunity idol at all times while balancing on a log. During the strenuous task, Johnson uttered her iconic line about how she was imagining herself on a beach with a “planter’s punch” cocktail in her hands.
Zohn was the first to let go after two and a half hours. Johnson clinched the victory after more than three hours, when Van den Berghe, now 61, dropped due to stomach pains. Johnson made history by becoming the oldest person to win the challenge.
The win cemented her spot in the finale, and she became the oldest woman to make it to the final tribal council. After voting out Van den Berghe, Zohn and Johnson sat next to each other in the final tribal council for Survivor: Africa. Ultimately, Zohn was crowned the winner while Johnson was the runner-up in a 5-2 jury vote. Johnson was the first Survivor finalist to earn less than three jury votes.
“You all made me feel important without exception,” Johnson said in her final tribal council speech. “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.”
Johnson never returned to play Survivor but remained beloved by fans. She still holds the record for the oldest woman finalist in franchise history.
Following her time on Survivor, Johnson, who was based in Oyster Bay, New York, worked as a coordinator for an indoor tennis club and also volunteered for the blind and deaf.