Johnny Carson's third wife Joanna warmly remembered after her death
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Joanna Carson, the third wife of late comedy legend Johnny Carson, is being fondly remembered by her friends after her death at 93 last month.

Joanna’s death was revealed to her friends in July, and she was laid to rest last week in a funeral service, Extra reported Monday.

The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation honored the late model in a Facebook post on July 30, saying she and the late philanthropist Wallis Annenberg embodied the ‘spirit of love and support’ the organization’s famed founder had in mind.

Joanna, who grew up in New York, was previously married to Tim Holland, a backgammon player, for six years. (They had a son named Joe, who sadly passed away in 1994.)

Following their split, she began modeling and eventually met the NBC late night king, who was 15 years her senior and had been twice wed before.

Johnny Carson – who hosted The Tonight Show from 1962 until 1992 – died January 23, 2005 at the age of 79.

Joanna Carson, the third wife of late comedy legend Johnny Carson, is being fondly remembered by her friends after her death last month. The late couple pictured in 1974 in LA

Joanna Carson, the third wife of late comedy legend Johnny Carson, is being fondly remembered by her friends after her death last month. The late couple pictured in 1974 in LA

Joanna's death was revealed to her friends in July, and she was laid to rest last week in a funeral service, Extra reported Monday. Pictured in 2019 in Beverly Hills, California

Joanna’s death was revealed to her friends in July, and she was laid to rest last week in a funeral service, Extra reported Monday. Pictured in 2019 in Beverly Hills, California

The late night king’s previous spouse was named Joanne, a coincidence he made jokes about on his NBC show. 

Johnny and Joanne revealed they were splitting in 1972, and Johnny married Joanna later that same year.

Joanna (born Johanna Ulrich) began divorce proceedings in the early 1980s and settled for a massive $20 million in cash with Carson in 1985, Extra reported.

Carson’s large settlement was a pop culture talking point at the time four decades back: Comedian Eddie Murphy famously referenced it in analyzing the concepts of dividing assets via alimony and spousal support in his 1987 concert film, Eddie Murphy Raw.  

Johnny Carson’s name has been in the headlines as of late in connection with the cancellation of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.

Numerous media analysts have pointed out the tendency of Johnny Carson – who single-handedly dominated late night ratings for three decades – to not veer off too far politically so as not to alienate a large chunk of potential viewers.

Joanna was good friends with the late fashion designer Michaele Vollbracht, who died at the age of 70 in 2018. She had provided capital to his fashion house and was an executive for his company, the outlet reported. 

The duo exuded Hollywood glitz as they stepped out in Los Angeles in 1973

The duo exuded Hollywood glitz as they stepped out in Los Angeles in 1973

The glamorous couple was pictured in NYC with late comedy legend Bob Hope in 1979

The glamorous couple was pictured in NYC with late comedy legend Bob Hope in 1979 

Johnny Carson dominated late night for three decades with The Tonight Show. Pictured in his classic comedy bit Carnac the Magnificent

Johnny Carson dominated late night for three decades with The Tonight Show. Pictured in his classic comedy bit Carnac the Magnificent

Joanna had also worked with the charity organization SHARE (Share Happily and Reap Endlessly), according to the outlet. 

SHARE on its site says ‘its mission is to raise funds for the developmentally disabled, abused, and neglected children as well as medical research for all forms of developmental disabilities.’

Joanna was well-remembered on The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation
Facebook page following the sad announcement on July 30.

A user named Trey Wilson described Joanna and the late Wallis Annenberg as ‘extraordinary women’ who were ‘born into different family systems faiths and traditions.

They ultimately ‘both used their gifts and talents to help people and animals that are discounted,’ Wilson said, adding, ‘They both helped me remember my moral compass.’ 

A commenter named Barbara Berkowitz wrote, ‘2 such wonderful women. They were such angels to’ the foundation. 

Commenter Jeffrey B. Towns described the late women as ‘generous individuals who will be so very missed.’  

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