The award-winning talk show host Johnny Carson was extremely shy and private off-cam. Equally elusive was Alexis Maas, his wife until his passing in 2005.
It’s no surprise the couple rarely made it to the gossip columns throughout their marriage. After all, a powerful man plus his younger wife is prime tabloid material. It makes you wonder what their real story was.
Was Alexis “the fourth time’s the charm” for the TV legend? Where is she now? These are questions we’ll explore in this guide, so stick with me, please!
Who Is Alexis Maas?
Alexis Maas is best known for being the fourth wife of the well-loved TV personality Johnny Carson.
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She was born in Pittsburgh in 1952 and worked at a stock brokerage firm before meeting the 61-year-old comedian and late-night talk show host.
How Did Alexis Maas and Johnny Carson Meet?
So, here’s Alexis and Johnny’s meet-cute:
Despite Johnny’s charismatic persona on TV, anyone in Johnny’s inner circle knew him to be a recluse in real life. However, that didn’t stop him from making an impression on the gorgeous Alexis Maas, who was just 35 at the time.
Johnny was enjoying a quiet moment at his Malibu beach home when he spotted Alexis strolling along the sand. Smitten, he invited her in for a casual glass of wine.
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It didn’t take long for their connection to take off, and soon Alexis was jetting off with Johnny to some glamorous European destinations. Although Johnny had repeatedly vowed never to marry again, he surprised everyone—including Alexis—by popping the question.
In 1987, after three years of courtship, Alexis became Mrs. Carson No. 4 in a private ceremony at Johnny’s Malibu home. The pair honeymooned in England.
Although they didn’t have any children, they remained married until Johnny’s battle with emphysema led to his passing in 2005.
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Alexis Maas: On Marrying Johnny Carson
Johnny was a small-town Nebraska boy at heart; he had this idea that he needed to be married. Alexis filled a void in his life, and they were in love.
But here’s a bombshell from the 2012 PBS documentary “Johnny Carson: King of Late Night.” Turns out, Alexis and Johnny weren’t even living together during his final years.
Johnny’s biographer, Bill Zehme, shed some light on this. Apparently, Johnny, wary of being labeled a serial divorcee, chose to live apart from Alexis instead of going through another split.
Honestly, I find it quite sad. The pair were so good at keeping their life private that everyone thought they had this picture-perfect marriage. But as is often the case, even a relationship that starts with such great promise can hit bumps along the way.
Johnny’s fans feel comfortable knowing he is content with the arrangement, and it is a mutual understanding between them. Johnny needed to be alone, and Alexis wanted a break from the dynamics of their marriage.
What Happened to Alexis Maas After Johnny Carson Died?
Johnny Carson made sure Alexis was well taken care of after he was gone. The comedian, who was worth $300 million at the time of his death, left a huge chunk of money to charity.
Reportedly, he gave $156.5 million to his foundation and $4 million to the Los Angeles Children’s Hospital.
Alexis shared the remaining assets left by Johnny with his sons, Cory and Chris, from his first marriage. The TV legend had a third son, Richard, also from the same marriage, but he tragically passed away in a car accident in 1991.
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Additionally, Alexis inherited the Malibu estate where Carson lived until his final days. She sold the property in 2007 for $36.5 million.
How Much Is Alexis Maas’ Net Worth?
If we’re going by her inheritance, Alexis Maas is likely worth quite a bit. I did the math and assuming Johnny Carson’s estate was split evenly between Alexis and his two sons, she would’ve gotten around $46.5 million.
Add in the $36.5 million from selling the Malibu property, and her net worth could easily be about $83 million. Again, these figures are all rough estimates, as there are no public records to confirm exactly how much Johnny left her.
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Plus, Alexis likely has financial assets from her career in finance and other endeavors we’re not aware of.
Where Is Alexis Maas Now?
Alexis Maas keeps a low profile in Los Angeles these days. She and Johnny used to have a condo at the Trimont in Mt. Washington, Pittsburgh, for when they visited her family, but I’m not sure if she still keeps that place.
Final Thoughts
In wrapping up, Alexis Maas is an intriguing woman who has stayed out of the public eye despite a high-profile relationship. She reminds us that the most compelling stories are those left largely untold.
But, while we don’t know everything about her, she was clearly an important figure in Johnny’s later years.
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