Johanna Carson, former high-profile model and the third wife of late-night legend Johnny Carson, passed away at the age of 88. The news was shared by her friends. She had breathed her last privately in July and her death was confirmed through a tribute post by Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation on July 30. Her funeral took place last week. How she died and the cause of her death is not known. There have been no reports of her suffering either.
What did ETAF mention in its post?
"Remembering ETAF's dear friends and supporters, Joanna Carson and Wallis Annenberg, who embodied our founder Elizabeth Taylor's spirit of love and support," the Foundation's Facebook read.
Who was Joanna Carson?
Joanna was among the high-profile models of her time who led a relatively private life in her later years, yet her life remained a subject of interest due to her relationship with Johnny Carson and her constant philanthropic causes. Her financial status and net worth are often discussed on various websites and outlets; biographykind.com reported her net worth to be between $20-30 million in 2025, while others, like Global Stardom, estimated it to be between $5 million and $12 million.
What was the source of income for Joanna Carson?
Her income, apart from her modeling earnings, primarily stemmed from divorce settlements and investments. Johnny and Joanna Carson met in 1971 at the iconic 21 Club in New York.
Know more about Joanna Carson's private life
She was divorced from World Backgammon Champion Tim Holland and was raising her son in New York. "I was flirting like a sophomore," Johnny told People years later about their first meeting. They married in 1972, and the marriage lasted 12 years. Their 1985 divorce, estimated to be worth around $20 million, was one of the most expensive settlements in Hollywood history.
Their marriage faced challenges stemming from Johnny's drinking habits. In a 1979 interview with 60 Minutes, Carson confessed, "When I did drink... I would go just the opposite [of gregarious]. And it would happen just like that!"
Even after their split, Joanna was remembered fondly by those close to the couple. Joanna was preceded in death by her son, who passed away in 1994. Johnny Carson later went on to marry Alexis Maas in 1987, remaining with her until his death in 2005 at age 79.
