Joanna Carson, TV Personality and Johnny Carson's Third Wife, Passes Away At 88
Joanna Carson, Johnny Carson's third wife, died at 88. Her death was confirmed by friends on social media.
Joanna Carson, a former high-profile model and the third wife of late television legend Johnny Carson, has passed away at the age of 88. The news of her death, which occurred privately in July, was shared by friends on social media and confirmed through a tribute post by the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation on July 30. Her funeral took place last week.
'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 post read.
Joanna, who was once one of New York's highest-paid models, led a private life in later years but remained a figure of interest due to her relationship with Johnny Carson and her continued involvement in philanthropic causes. Her financial status was often speculated on; some outlets such as biographykind.com reported her net worth to be between $20–30 million in 2025, while others, like Global Stardom, estimated it between $5 million and $12 million. Apart from her modelling income, much of her wealth reportedly came from divorce settlements and investments.
Joanna and Johnny Carson met in 1971 at the iconic 21 Club in New York. At the time, she was divorced from World Backgammon Champion Tim Holland and raising her son in a modest New York apartment. 'I was flirting like a sophomore," Johnny told People years later about their first encounter. They married in 1972, and their union lasted 12 years. Their 1985 divorce, estimated to be worth $20 million (about $48 million today), was one of the most expensive in Hollywood history.
Although she relocated to Burbank, California with Johnny and her son Tim, Joanna had little interest in showbiz. 'I don't have that much to say about Johnny's work. It's not my place," she once admitted. Her reservations about the move from New York reportedly caused friction early on. 'You're coming to California with Tim and we're going to be married," she recalled Johnny saying.
Their marriage also 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!"
Despite their split, Joanna was remembered fondly by those close to the couple. Actress and socialite Ruta Lee told People in 1983, 'Joanna's very accomplished at being a woman… She just has a wonderfully sensitive approach to men."
Joanna was preceded in death by her son, who passed away in 1994. Johnny Carson went on to marry Alexis Maas in 1987, remaining with her until his death in 2005 at age 79.
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