Kim Johnson, a former teacher who competed on “Survivor: Africa” and was the runner-up of her season, passed away on July 23 after a long battle with cancer. She was 79 years old.
Johnson’s three children, Wendy, Kelly and Teddy, confirmed the news to Entertainment Weekly in a statement on Monday, saying, “Our mother leaves behind a legacy of strength, tenacity, kindness and generosity. She wore rose-colored glasses to the end. She was the coolest mother and grandmother in the world. We will miss her forever.”
In a statement posted to social media, Survivor host and executive producer Jeff Probst praised Johnson as a “trailblazer” for the show, adding, “She undoubtedly had a profound impact on the game and all of us who were fortunate enough to work on that season and tell her story.”
CBS
Survivor: Africa winner Ethan Zohn also paid tribute to Johnson in a heartfelt Instagram post. “Rest in peace Kim Johnson,” he wrote, alongside a highlight video of his pal from season three of the reality show. “It was a blessing to call you a friend and an honor to experience that final tribal council with you. Planter’s Punch will forever be remembered in your honor!”
Johnson, a former elementary school teacher from Oyster Bay, New York, was 56 when he competed on the wildly popular reality show in Kenya in 2001. Though expected to be the first to be eliminated, Johnson made it to the final four and surprised everyone by winning the final two immunity challenges, including a final challenge in which the three remaining competitors stood on two unequal poles and had to hold on to a totem for as long as possible in 104-degree heat. Johnson outlasted both Zorn and Lex van den Berg to win the championship after battling for more than three hours and 20 minutes in the scorching heat.
Johnson, who lost to Zone by a jury vote of 5-2 at the final Tribal Council, is not only the oldest Survivor contestant to win the final immunity challenge, but also the oldest female finalist in the franchise’s history.
According to a CBS bio from before the start of the “Survivor: Africa” season, Johnson was born in Cleveland and grew up in Annapolis, Maryland, before moving to New York City. She attended Dickinson College and Monmouth University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in elementary education.
Her bio also states, “In her spare time, Johnson enjoys exercise (running, tennis, free weights), camping, hiking, fishing, sailing, golf, horseback riding, thoroughbred racing, and games of all kinds. She describes herself as whimsical, logical and determined. She is very proud of her family, especially being a grandmother to two children with another on the way. She is fluent in sign language and has volunteered with the blind and hearing impaired for many years.”
CBS
After her stunning victory in her final endurance race in Africa, Johnson spoke about what led to her big win. “The final exemption challenge wasn’t out of luck or kindness or anything I’ve ever done,” she said. “It was something that came from inside me, a determination that I’ve probably never seen in me before.”
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