Survivor: Africa runner-up Kim Johnson has passed away at age 79.
ADVERTISEMENT
Kim died on July 23 at age 79 following a battle with cancer.
RELATED LINK: 'SURVIVOR' COUPLES NOW: WHO'S STILL TOGETHER?! WHICH SHOWMANCES SPLIT UP? (PHOTOS)
Kim's three children -- Wendy, Kerry and Teddy -- confirmed the news in a July 29 statement to Entertainment Weekly.
"Our mom leaves a legacy of strength, resilience, kindness and generosity," the trio shared.
ADVERTISEMENT
"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."
Longtime Survivor host Jeff Probst called Kim "a pioneer" in a statement posted to his official Instagram page.
On behalf of the entire Survivor and CBS team, Jeff wrote, "Kim was a pioneer on Survivor and we are deeply sorry to learn of her passing. She still holds the record for the oldest woman to ever win an immunity challenge, earned her place in the final two and even received votes to win the game."
Kim, who competed on Season 3 of the long-running reality series in 2001, remains the oldest female finalist in Survivor history.
Jeff continued, "I remember even then at just 56, how inspiring she was to other 'older' people because she showed that age was merely a number and that if you were willing to risk failing you might just amaze yourself."
ADVERTISEMENT
Jeff pointed out how Kim has "definitely left her mark" on the game "and on all of us."
Jeff concluded, "[We] were lucky enough to work on that season and tell her story."
When Kim competed on Survivor, she was a retired elementary school teacher from Oyster Bay, NY.
On Survivor: Africa, Kim reached the Final Four with Ethan Zohn, Alexis "Lex" van den Berghe, and Tom Buchanan.
Once in the Final 4, Kim shocked the world by winning every remaining Individual Immunity Challenge, including the last one of the season that required the castaways to stand on two uneven poles while holding onto a totem for as long as possible in extreme heat.
ADVERTISEMENT
Kim outlasted her competitors in the final challenging by lasting about three hours and 20 minutes, according to EW.
At the Final Tribal Council, Ethan was crowned "Sole Survivor" in a 5-2 against Kim. Kim had received votes from Brandon Quinton and Kim Powers to win.
Ethan paid tribute to Kim's memory in a heartfelt Instagram post.
"Rest in peace Kim Johnson," the Survivor: Africa winner wrote, alongside a montage of footage from Kim on Survivor.
"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!"
ADVERTISEMENT
According to Kim's CBS bio, she was born in Cleveland and grew up in Annapolis, MD, before moving to New York.
Kim attended Dickinson College and Monmouth University, receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education.
RELATED LINK: 'BIG BROTHER' SHOWMANCES NOW: WHO IS STILL TOGETHER? WHICH COUPLES HAVE SPLIT UP?? (PHOTOS)
"In her free time, Johnson enjoys exercising (running, tennis and free weights), camping, hiking, fishing, sailing, golfing, horseback riding, thoroughbred horse racing and playing games of any kind," read her bio.
"She describes herself as nutty, logical and determined. She is extremely proud of her family; she is especially proud of being the grandmother of two, with another one on the way. She is fluent in sign language, and has volunteered her services over the years for the blind and deaf."