A favorite reality show is no longer with us.
On July 29, Survivor: Africa alum Kim Johnson’s daughter confirmed to People magazine that her mother had passed away.
Johnson was 79 years old.
“Our mother leaves a legacy of strength, resilience, kindness and generosity,” the aforementioned statement reads.
“She wore her rose-colored glasses until the end,” she 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 contestant to make it to the Final Tribal Council.
“Kim was a trailblazer on Survivor and we are deeply sorry to hear of her passing,” read a message Monday from Survivor host Jeff Probst.
“She still holds the record for 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 at that time, at only 56, she was inspiring to other ‘older’ people because she showed that age was just a number and that if you were willing to risk failure, you could surprise yourself.”
He signed off on the Instagram note from “Jeff Probst and the entire Survivor and CBS team.”
Other Survivor alums also paid tribute to Kim Johnson.
Said Ethan Zohn, who approached Johnson en route to victory in the season she starred in:
“Rest in peace, Kim Johnson. It was a blessing to call you my friend and a privilege to experience the final tribal council with you.
“I will always have this planter’s punch in your honor #survivorafrica @survivorcbs #survivor #alliance #kenya #planterspunch.”
As you can see above, a montage of clips of Johnson competing on the third season of Survivor and telling his fellow contestants at the time was also included:
“You all made me so important, without exception, each one of you helped me be the best I can be, and that is why I am leaving here as a great winner.”
Later in the footage, Johnson talks about finding the will to overcome challenges during the competition, which seems like the perfect way to mourn his death:
The final immunity challenge wasn’t luck, it wasn’t being nice, it wasn’t any of that… It was something that came out of me, inside of me, a determination that maybe I’ve never seen in myself.
May Kim Johnson rest in peace.