Johnny Carson, the iconic host of The Tonight Show, had four marriages during his life, but his last and longest marriage was to Alexis Maas. Their relationship is one of the lesser-discussed aspects of Carson's personal life, but it was significant for both the TV legend and his wife. Here's a closer look at Johnny Carson’s final wife, Alexis Maas, and their life together.

Meeting and Marriage

Johnny Carson married Alexis Maas in 1987, a time when he had already achieved monumental success as the host of The Tonight Show and had endured several previous divorces. Alexis was a former stockbroker, and there was a notable age difference between the two—Johnny was 30 years older than her. The couple met in the early 1980s, and their relationship quickly became serious.

Their wedding was a private affair, and the couple enjoyed a relatively quiet life together compared to Carson’s earlier, more public relationships. Alexis, who was not in the public eye before her marriage, seemed to prefer maintaining a low-profile lifestyle, away from the media spotlight that had surrounded Carson’s earlier marriages.

Life Together

Alexis and Johnny Carson enjoyed a relatively peaceful, private life. After Johnny’s retirement from The Tonight Show in 1992, the couple focused on their life outside of television. They lived in Malibu, California, and spent a lot of time traveling. Despite the significant age gap, they seemed to have a strong and supportive relationship. Johnny’s later years were marked by a more quiet and reflective lifestyle, and Alexis was by his side as he moved away from the public eye.

Carson had often been described as a complex and private man, and Alexis played a significant role in his life during his later years, offering companionship and support during a time when his career was winding down.

After Carson's Death

Johnny Carson passed away in January 2005 at the age of 79. At the time of his death, Alexis Maas was his widow. While their relationship had been relatively private, Alexis became the beneficiary of Carson's estate. After his passing, Alexis faced legal challenges related to Carson's will and estate, particularly around the management of his fortune and assets. However, she continued to live a quiet life after the legal matters were settled, avoiding the media attention that had often been part of Johnny's career.

Legacy

Though Alexis Maas was not as publicly involved in Carson’s career as some of his other wives, her role in his later life was crucial. Their marriage is often viewed as the one that brought him the peace and privacy he sought after decades of intense public scrutiny. Alexis Maas’ time with Johnny Carson represents the more personal and private side of the TV legend's life, a period where he was able to step away from the spotlight and find stability and contentment with his fourth wife.