Survivor: Africa star Kim Johnson dead at 79 as winner Ethan Zohn pays emotional tribute: 'A legacy of strength'

Survivor: Africa prima Kim Johnson has died aged 79.

Her daughter Kerry Johnson Tichi confirmed Johnson's decease to People. 

Johnson memorably starred connected nan 2001 3rd bid of nan deed show, finishing successful 2nd spot down victor Ethan Zohn.

Kerry said: 'Our mom leaves a bequest of strength, resilience, kindness and generosity.

'She wore her roseate colorized glasses correct up until nan end. She was nan coolest mom and grandma successful nan world. We will miss her forever...'

 Zohn, 50, posted an affectional tribute to Johnson, writing: 'Rest successful bid Kim Johnson. 

'It was a blessing to telephone you my friend and a privilege to acquisition nan last tribal assembly pinch you.

'I will everlastingly person that planters punch successful your honor.'

Johnson - a retired schoolhouse coach - became nan oldest female contestant astatine property 56 to triumph nan Final Immunity Challenge and oldest female contestant to scope nan Final Tribal Council. 

The play was filmed from July 11, 2001, to August 18, 2001, successful Kenya's Shaba National Reserve - and began airing that October. 

Zohn was named Sole Survivor complete Johnson by a assemblage ballot of 5–2, and won nan $1,000,000 expansive prize. 

The passing comes 3 months aft nan decease of Survivor prima Sonja Christopher  astatine 87.

The euphony therapist was known arsenic nan first contestant to get voted disconnected of the long-running bid while filming play 1 successful Pulau Tiga, Malaysia successful May 2000.

Fellow contestant Liz Wilcox — who stars successful nan 46th play filmed successful Fiji past twelvemonth and is presently airing — announced her beloved friend's passing connected X, formerly known arsenic Twitter. She did not stock nan day aliases origin of death.

On Friday, Wilcox shared a screenshot of herself connected a FaceTime telephone pinch Christopher arsenic nan prima appeared to beryllium showing disconnected nan notable signatures connected her infamous ukulele.