A reality TV favorite is no longer with us.
On July 29, Survivor: Africa alum Kim Johnson’s daughter confirmed to People magazine that her mother has passed away.
Johnson was 79 years old.
“Our mother leaves behind a legacy of strength, resilience, kindness and generosity,” the statement reads.
“She wore her rose-colored glasses until the very end,” he continued. “She was the coolest mom and grandma in the world. We will miss her forever…”
Johnson finished second on Survivor in 2002.
During her time on the reality show, the retired teacher (who was 56 at the time of filming) became the oldest contestant to win the Final Immunity Challenge… and also the oldest female contestant to make it to the Final Tribal Council.
“Kim was a pioneer on Survivor and we are deeply saddened to hear of her passing,” read a message Monday from Survivor host Jeff Probst.
“She still holds the record for being the oldest woman to win an immunity challenge, earned her spot in the final two, and even received votes to win the game.
“I remember that even when I was 56, I was an inspiration to other ‘older’ people because I showed that age was just a number and that if you were willing to risk failure, you could surprise yourself.”
He signed the Instagram note “Jeff Probst and the entire Survivor and CBS team.”
Other Survivor alumni have also paid tribute to Kim Johnson.
Ethan Zohn, who befriended Johnson on his way to victory on the season in which she starred, said:
“Rest in peace, Kim Johnson. It was a blessing to be able to call you a friend and a privilege to experience the final tribal council with you.
“I will always have that planter’s punch in your honor #survivorafrica @survivorcbs #survivor #alliance #kenya #planterspunch.”
As you can see above, a montage of clips was also included of Johnson competing on the third season of Survivor and telling his fellow contestants at the time:
“You all made me so important, without exception, each and every one of you has helped me to be the best I can be, and that is why I leave here as a great winner.”
Later in this video, Johnson talks about finding the will to overcome challenges during competition, which seems like the perfect way to mourn his passing:
The final immunity challenge wasn’t luck, it wasn’t being nice, it wasn’t any of those things… That was something that came out of me, inside of me, a determination that maybe I’d never seen in myself.
May Kim Johnson rest in peace.