Kim Johnson, “Survivor: Africa” Alum, Dies at 79: 'A Legacy of Strength'
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"It was a blessing to call you my friend and a privilege to experience the final tribal council with you," Ethan Zohn shared of Johnson following her death at age 79
CBS
Kim Johnson on 'Survivor: Africa'Survivor: Africa alum Kim Johnson has died. She was 79.
The reality star's daughter Kerry Johnson Tichi confirmed the news of Johnson's death in a statement to PEOPLE on Monday, July 29, sharing, "Our mom leaves a legacy of strength, resilience, kindness and generosity."
"She wore her rose colorized glasses right up until the end," she continued. "She was the coolest mom and grandmother in the world. We will miss her forever..."
Survivor winner Ethan Zohn also remembered Johnson in an emotional Instagram post.
“Rest in peace Kim Johnson,” he wrote. “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 ❤️#survivorafrica @survivorcbs #survivor #alliance #kenya #planterspunch @su2c” he continued.
Related: Life After 'Survivor' : 10 Winners Tell All
The post also included a montage of clips of Johnson competing on the third season of Survivor and telling her 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.”
Later in the montage, Johnson discussed finding the will to overcome challenges during the competition.
“Final immunity challenge was not luck, was not being nice, was not any of those things…” she shared. “That was something that came out of me, inside of me a determination I haven’t seen in me maybe ever.”
Survivor 44 winner Yam Yam Arocho commented, “Kim J, Rest in Peace ????”
CBS did not immediately return PEOPLE’s request for comment.
Monty Brinton/CBS
Kim Johnson and Ethan Zohn, the runner up and grand prize winner respectively, hold hands during the "Survivor: Africa" reunion show, a live broadcast from CBS Television City in Los Angeles, Calif., on Thursday, Jan. 10, 2002.Related: Paying Tribute to the Celebrities Who Have Died in 2024
The retired school teacher finished second place on Survivor: Africa, behind Zohr, in 2002.
During her time on the show, she shared a strong bond with her Boran tribemates, which allowed her to make it to the final four. She then scored victories in two Immunity Challenges. The mother of three — who was 56 at the time of filming — was the oldest person to win the Final Immunity Challenge and oldest female contestant to reach the Final Tribal Council.
Johnson’s death comes three months after the loss of Sonja Christopher, the very first person who was ever voted off of the American Survivor franchise.
The official Survivor Instagram account confirmed Christopher’s death in a post on April 27, sharing a photo of the series legend alongside a statement penned by host Jeff Probst.
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Calling Christopher "one of the kindest people to ever play Survivor," Probst wrote, "Every interaction I had with her over the years was lovely. She would always greet you with a smile on her face and joy in her heart.”
Added Probst: “I’m honored that our paths got to cross.”
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Read the original article on People.