Early Life and Education of Woody Johnson: A Complete Timeline

An overview of the childhood and early education of Woody Johnson, highlighting the experiences that shaped the journey.

Robert Wood "Woody" Johnson IV is an American businessman, heir to the Johnson & Johnson fortune, and owner/chairman of the New York Jets. He purchased the Jets in 2000 for $635 million with his brother. Johnson served as the United States ambassador to the United Kingdom from 2017 to 2021.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

1921: Birth of Betty Johnson (née Wold)

In 1921, Betty Johnson (née Wold), Woody Johnson's mother, was born.

April 12, 1947: Robert Wood Johnson IV Born

On April 12, 1947, Robert Wood Johnson IV, also known as Woody Johnson, was born. He is an American businessman and the owner and chairman of the New York Jets.

1977: Johnson Marries Nancy Sale Johnson

In 1977, Woody Johnson married former fashion model Nancy Sale Johnson. They had three children together.

1988: Daughter Diagnosed with Diabetes

In 1988, Woody Johnson's daughter Casey was diagnosed with diabetes. He and his wife became involved with diabetes charities.

1997: Donation to Republican Party

Between 1997 and 1998, Woody Johnson donated $130,000 to the Republican Party.

1998: Donation to George W. Bush's Campaign

Between 1997 and 1998, Woody Johnson donated $22,583 to George W. Bush's 1998 gubernatorial re-election campaign of Texas.

January 2000: Purchase of New York Jets

In January 2000, Woody Johnson purchased the New York Jets from the estate of Leon Hess for $635 million, which was the third-highest price ever paid for a professional sports team at the time.

2000: Political Donations

By the year 2000, Woody Johnson had given more than $1 million to various Republican candidates and committees.

2000: Purchase of the New York Jets

In 2000, Robert Wood Johnson IV purchased the New York Jets for $635 million, in partnership with his brother, Christopher Johnson.

2001: Johnson Divorces Nancy Sale Johnson

In 2001, Woody Johnson and Nancy Sale Johnson divorced after having been married since 1977 and having three children together.

May 2008: Fundraiser for John McCain

In May 2008, Woody Johnson orchestrated a fundraiser in New York City that brought in $7 million in a single evening for John McCain's presidential campaign.

2009: Johnson Marries Suzanne Ircha

In 2009, Woody Johnson married Suzanne Ircha, a former actress and equities managing director at Sandler O'Neill & Partners. They have two children.

January 4, 2010: Death of Casey Johnson

On January 4, 2010, Casey Johnson, daughter of Woody Johnson, died of diabetic ketoacidosis.

April 10, 2010: Opening of MetLife Stadium

On April 10, 2010, the Meadowlands Stadium, later named MetLife Stadium, officially opened. The New York Jets share the stadium as an equal partner with the New York Giants.

2010: Death of Casey Johnson

In early 2010, Woody Johnson's daughter, Casey Johnson, died of diabetic ketoacidosis. Following this, Johnson started the Alliance for Lupus Research, after his daughter Jaime was found to have lupus.

2011: Endorsement of Mitt Romney

In 2011, Woody Johnson endorsed former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney in the 2012 Republican presidential primaries.

2012: Endorsement of Mitt Romney

In 2012, Woody Johnson endorsed former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney in the 2012 Republican presidential primaries.

September 2013: Fundraiser for the Republican National Committee

In September 2013, Woody Johnson hosted a fundraiser for the Republican National Committee (RNC) at his home in New York City.

2014: Johnson Sells Manhattan Apartment

In 2014, Woody Johnson sold his two-floor duplex apartment at 834 Fifth Avenue in Manhattan to billionaire Leonard Blavatnik for $80 million, setting a record for the costliest co-op ever sold in New York.

June 2015: Named National Finance Chairman for Jeb Bush's Campaign

In June 2015, Woody Johnson was named the national finance chairman for Jeb Bush's presidential campaign.

May 2016: Endorsement of Donald Trump for President

In May 2016, after Donald Trump became the presumptive nominee, Woody Johnson endorsed Trump for president and was named one of the RNC's six finance vice chairmen.

2016: Support for Donald Trump's Presidential Campaign

In 2016, Woody Johnson, a long-time Republican Party donor, supported Donald Trump's presidential campaign, leading to his subsequent appointment as the US Ambassador to the United Kingdom.

2017: Financial Disclosure Form

In 2017, Woody Johnson's financial disclosure form listed his net worth at $4.2 billion, with most of his wealth tied to his ownership of the Jets and its stadium; he also reported owning at least 1.56 million J&J shares.

August 2019: Donation to Donald Trump's Presidential Campaigns and Inaugural Committee

By August 2019, Woody Johnson had donated $1.5 million to Donald Trump's presidential campaigns and inaugural committee.

February 2020: Donation to Trump's Re-election Campaign

In February 2020, Woody Johnson gave $575,000 to a fundraising committee for Donald Trump's 2020 re-election campaign, and $355,000 to the RNC.

May 2020: Donation to America First Action, Inc.

In May 2020, Woody Johnson gave $1 million to America First Action, Inc., a pro-Trump super PAC.

2020: Johnson Resides in Palm Beach

Since 2020, Woody Johnson has resided in Palm Beach, Florida.

January 8, 2021: Condemnation of the 2021 United States Capitol Attack

On January 8, 2021, Woody Johnson released a statement condemning the 2021 United States Capitol attack.

March 2022: Bid to Purchase Chelsea

In March 2022, Woody Johnson made a £2 billion bid to purchase the London football club Chelsea from sanctioned billionaire Roman Abramovich, but later withdrew from the bidding process.

April 2022: Jets Pledge Donation to Ukraine

In April 2022, the Jets pledged a $1 million donation to Ukraine, to be distributed to various organizations, including Plast Scouting USA and United24.

2022: Johnson Organizes Aid for Ukraine

During the ongoing 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, Woody Johnson and his wife Suzanne organized aid efforts for Ukraine, visiting Poland and urging the United States and the United Kingdom to provide aid.

2022: Bid for Chelsea

In 2022, Woody Johnson made a £2 billion bid for Chelsea but withdrew from the bidding process later that month.

2023: Donation to Super PAC Backing Trump's Campaign

In 2023, Woody Johnson gave at least $1 million to a super PAC backing Donald Trump's 2024 presidential campaign.

April 2024: Bloomberg Billionaires Index

As of April 2024, the Bloomberg Billionaires Index placed Woody Johnson's net worth at an estimated $9.92 billion.

2024: Support at Election-Night Rally

In 2024, Woody Johnson stood behind Donald Trump at an election-night rally during the South Carolina primary.

June 2025: Agreement to Buy Stake in Crystal Palace

In June 2025, Woody Johnson agreed to buy a 45% share from John Textor in Crystal Palace, another London club, which would make him the largest shareholder in the club.

2025: Betty Wold Johnson Foundation Funding of White House East Wing Demolition

In 2025, the family's Betty Wold Johnson Foundation was one of the donors who funded the White House's East Wing demolition, and planned building of a ballroom.

2025: Purchase of stake in Crystal Palace

In July of 2025, Woody Johnson completed the purchase of a 43% stake in Crystal Palace from Eagle Football Holdings, becoming a partner and director of the club.