Johnny Carson, the legendary late-night talk
show host, captivated audiences for decades with his wit, charm, and magnetic presence. While he made millions laugh with his comedic
genius on "The Tonight Show," his love life was a topic of fascination and intrigue. Carson walked down the aisle four times throughout
his life, each marriage playing a unique role in his personal journey. However, one of these marriages held a particularly
special place in his heart. In this video, we’ll talk about who that
was, and we’ll go over Johnny’s other marriage. Stick around, as Facts Verse presents: Johnny
Carson Confesses She Was the Love of His Life! Johnny’s First Marriage
Johnny Carson’s first marriage was to Jody Wolcott, and their union began long before
Carson rose to fame. Johnny and Jody first met in college at the
University of Nebraska, where they both attended. The couple tied the knot on October 1, 1949,
when Carson was just 24 years old. At that time, he was working as a radio announcer
in Omaha, Nebraska. Carson's career began to take off, and he
moved to California, where he found success as a television personality. However, the pressures and demands of his
burgeoning career took a toll on his marriage. Jody who preferred a quieter and more private
life, found it challenging to adapt to Carson's increasing fame and the public scrutiny that
accompanied it. The strain on their relationship eventually
led to their separation, and they officially divorced in 1963 after 14 years of marriage. Despite the end of their romantic relationship,
they remained on amicable terms and continued to support each other throughout their lives. After their divorce, Jody maintained a low-profile
life away from the public eye. She remarried and largely stayed out of the
spotlight. Carson, on the other hand, went on to become
a television icon as the host of "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson," where he entertained
audiences for three decades until his retirement in 1992. Ultimately, Johnny Carson's first marriage
set the stage for the subsequent chapters of his life, including his subsequent marriages
and his unparalleled success as one of the most beloved and influential figures in late-night
television history. But despite the failure of the marriage, it
did produce three children. His first son, Richard Carson, was born on
October 14, 1950. Richard led a relatively private life and
chose to stay away from the spotlight. He pursued a career in music and became an
accomplished jazz musician. Carson's second son, Christopher Carson, was
born on March 10, 1952. Like his older brother, Christopher also preferred
to maintain a low profile and stayed out of the public eye. He pursued a career in television production
and worked behind the scenes rather than in front of the camera. Carson's youngest son, Cory Carson, was born
on June 20, 1953. Tragically, Cory's life was cut short when
he passed away on June 21, 1991, at the age of 38, due to a car accident. Cory's untimely death was a tragic loss for
the Carson family, and it deeply affected Johnny Carson. Throughout his career, Johnny Carson was fiercely
protective of his children's privacy, ensuring that they were shielded from the media and
public attention. He wanted them to have a relatively normal
upbringing away from the spotlight, despite their father's fame. Johnny’s Second Marriage
Carson found love once again and walked down the aisle with Copeland on August 17, 1963. Joanne Copeland, a former model and interior
decorator, brought a new chapter of companionship and support into Carson's life. Their relationship seemed promising, and they
appeared to be a well-matched couple. Copeland's beauty and grace complemented Carson's
wit and charm, making them an attractive pair both on and off-screen. During their marriage, Carson's career continued
to soar as the host of "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson." Copeland embraced her role as the supportive
spouse, standing by her husband's side as he became an iconic figure in the world of
late-night television. However, despite the initial promise of their
union, the pressures and demands of Carson's high-profile career once again proved challenging
for the couple. The long hours, constant public scrutiny,
and the seductive allure of showbiz took its toll on their relationship. In 1972, after nearly nine years of marriage,
Johnny Carson and Joanne Copeland decided to part ways and officially divorced. The details surrounding their separation and
subsequent divorce have remained relatively private, with both parties maintaining a level
of discretion. Following the end of their marriage, Copeland
retreated from the public eye, choosing to focus on her personal life away from the spotlight. Carson, with his signature humor and charisma,
continued to dominate late-night television until his retirement in 1992. Johnny’s Third Marriage
Johnny embarked on his third marriage with Joanna Holland, a former model and socialite. After the dissolution of his second marriage
to Joanne Copeland, Carson found love once again and tied the knot with Holland on September
30, 1972. Joanna Holland brought a fresh energy and
sophistication into Carson's life. Known for her beauty and vivacity, Holland
added a touch of glamour to their relationship. As Carson continued to captivate audiences
on "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson," Holland embraced her role as his partner,
accompanying him to various social events and supporting him through the demands of
his career. The couple's marriage lasted for a decade,
during which time they navigated the ups and downs of Carson's high-profile career and
the accompanying pressures. Despite their initial connection and the public
image of a picture-perfect couple, their relationship eventually encountered difficulties, and they
decided to separate. In 1983, after 11 years of marriage, Johnny
Carson and Joanna Holland officially divorced. The specifics surrounding their separation
have remained relatively private, with both parties maintaining a level of discretion. Following their divorce, Holland sought to
maintain a relatively low-profile life. Carson, on the other hand, continued his illustrious
career as the beloved host of "The Tonight Show" until his retirement in 1992. Johnny’s Fourth Marriage
Johnny Carson's fourth marriage proved to be his most enduring and meaningful. After his divorce from Joanna Holland, Carson
found true love and companionship with Alexis Maas, a former stockbroker. Their relationship blossomed, and they exchanged
vows on June 20, 1987. Alexis Maas became an integral part of Carson's
life, providing unwavering support and love throughout their marriage. Their bond was evident to those who knew them,
as they were often seen attending events together, sharing laughter, and supporting each other
in both good times and challenging moments. Maas proved to be a constant presence in Carson's
life, particularly in his later years when his health declined. As Carson faced various health issues, including
emphysema and ultimately his battle with lung cancer, Maas was there by his side, offering
care and comfort. Her devotion and unwavering commitment to
Carson's well-being were apparent as she took on the role of his primary caregiver, ensuring
he received the best possible care. Carson's declining health necessitated a more
private life, and Maas respected his desire for a low-key existence. She shielded him from the public eye and allowed
him to enjoy his retirement years in relative seclusion, away from the scrutiny of the media
and the demands of his previous high-profile career. As Carson's health continued to deteriorate,
Maas became his rock and constant source of support. She remained devoted to him until the end,
ensuring that he was comfortable and surrounded by love. Carson once famously described Maas as the
"love of his life," a testament to the profound connection they shared. After Johnny Carson's passing on January 23,
2005, Alexis Maas continued to honor his legacy and the bond they had built. While she preferred a private life, her unwavering
dedication to Carson remained evident, and she played an integral role in preserving
his memory. Alexis Maas's role in Johnny Carson's life
was profound and heartfelt. She provided love, care, and companionship
to him during the final years of his life, solidifying her place as a pillar of support
and the person he cherished most. Interestingly enough, Alexis came from an
incredibly wealthy family, and was a socialite and heiress long before she and Carson met. So there were never any claims that their
love was based on his success or money. And while she certainly did inherit much of
his wealth – some sources claiming she was worth around $300 million in 2018 – she
actually ended up giving a ton of it away to charity. Reportedly Alexis gave nearly $156 million
to the Johnny Carson Foundation. This generosity was no doubt linked to her
upbringing, and the positive influence that Carson had on her. She was able to continue his legacy, and keep
showing her devotion and love to him by making such huge donations in both of their names. Alexis was a fairly private person before
and during their marriage, so not much is known about her life since Johnny’s 2005
death. But one thing is for sure – she was the
love of Johnny’s life, and was a rock solid presence for him as he grew into the late
stages of his life. Johnny Carson was a true icon of the entertainment
industry. The bar he et as a late night comedy TV host
is still held as the gold standard. He was able to make himself feel like part
of the family for many Americans, who looked forward to seeing him every night on their
TV screens. And while it took a while to find his true
love, it seems that he ultimately did. Now it’s time to hear from you. Were you surprised to find out that Johnny
Carson was married four times, and that he didn’t find his true love until the fourth
and final marriage? Let us know in the comments section below!
