Kim Johnson obit

Kim Johnson Dies: ‘Survivor Africa’ Runner Up Was 79

 

She was not on the list.

Survivor Africa runner up Kim Johnson, who remains the oldest woman to ever reach the final stage in the long-lived reality competition, died on July 23 according to her children. She was 79.

Johnson, then 56 and a onetime elementary school teacher, was underestimated in her time on the show and seen mostly as riding on the coattails of eventual winner Ethan Zohn. But she won the last two immunity challenges to make it to the final vote, which went 5-2 against her.

“Our mom leaves a legacy of strength, resilience, kindness and generosity,” read a statement from her children given to Entertainment Weekly. 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…”

Zohn posted a video compilation from their time on the show and wrote,  “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!”

Survivor Africa remains one of the most dangerous in the show’s history, with lions roaring right outside camp at night. Given the danger, tribes needed to take shifts keeping watch at night and construct walls made of thorny acacia bushes and to hold them at bay.