The reality TV darling is no more.
On July 29, the daughter of “Survivor: Africa” actor Kim Johnson confirmed to People magazine that her mother had passed away.
Johnson is 79 years old.
“Our mother leaves behind a legacy of strength, resilience, kindness and generosity,” the statement read.
“She wore rose-tinted glasses until the end,” she continued. “She was the coolest mom and grandma in the world. We will miss her forever…”
Johnson finished second in the 2002 “Survivor” competition.
While on the reality show, the retired school teacher (56 at the time of filming) became the oldest contestant to win the Ultimate Immunity Challenge…and the oldest female contestant to advance to the final Tribal Council.
“Kim was a pioneer on Survivor and we are deeply saddened by her passing,” Survivor host Jeff Probst wrote in a message on Monday.
“She still holds the record as the oldest woman ever to win an immunity challenge, winning a spot in the last two races and even getting votes to win the race.
“I remember she was 56 at the time and how inspiring she was to other ‘older’ people because she showed that age is just a number and if you’re willing to risk failure, you might surprise yourself.”
He signed off on Instagram with the message “Jeff Probst and the entire Survivor and CBS team.”
Other Survivor alumni also paid tribute to Kim Johnson.
Ethan Zohn, who grew closer to Johnson during the process of winning the season he starred in, said:
“RIP Kim Johnson. It was an honor to call you my friend and an honor to experience this final Tribal Council with you.
“I will always have the Planters in your honor #survivorafrica @survivorcbs #survivor #alliance #kenya #planterspunch.”
As you can see above, it also includes a clip of Johnson competing on Survivor Season 3 and telling fellow contestants at the time:
“You all made so much difference to me, without exception, and every single one of you helped me be the best I could be, so I leave here like a great winner.”
Later in the clip, Johnson talks about finding the will to overcome challenges in competition, which seemed like the perfect way to mourn her passing:
The ultimate immunity challenge wasn’t luck, it wasn’t kindness, it wasn’t any of those things…it was something that came out of me, a determination within me that I’ve probably never seen in myself.
May Kim Johnson rest in peace.
