Elite Model and Wife of Johnny Carson Dies at 93

Joanna Carson, a former fashion model and the third wife of legendary Tonight Show host Johnny Carson, has passed away. News of her death circulated quietly among friends in July, with her funeral taking place last week, according to Extra.

The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation publicly acknowledged her passing on July 30 in a heartfelt tribute:
“Remembering ETAF’s dear friends and supporters, Joanna Carson and Wallis Annenberg, who embodied our founder Elizabeth Taylor’s spirit of love and support.”

Joanna and Johnny Carson met in 1971 at New York’s famous 21 Club. At the time, Joanna was one of Manhattan’s top-paid models. Johnny, fresh off his second divorce, later said he was “flirting like a sophomore” when they met. Their first date happened to be Johnny’s 46th birthday, and after that night, he reportedly called her every day at 4:30 p.m. for an entire year.

They married in 1972—just as Johnny finalized his split from his second wife, Joanne Copeland. The wedding was revealed in true Johnny fashion—during a celebration of his 10th anniversary on The Tonight Show.

The couple’s marriage lasted 13 years, ending in divorce in 1985. During their time together, Joanna became a fixture in Hollywood social circles. Actress Ruta Lee once told PEOPLE that Joanna had “a wonderfully sensitive approach to men,” adding, “It’s as if she made a study of how Josephine handled Napoleon.”

Johnny Carson went on to marry Alexis Maas in 1987. He died in 2005 at age 79, survived by two of his three sons from his first marriage to Joan “Jody” Morrill Wolcott.

Joanna Carson was also previously married to Tim Holland, with whom she shared a son. Tragically, her son died in 1994. Joanna’s legacy includes her contributions to fashion, her presence in L.A.’s high society, and her longtime support of charitable causes like the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation.