History of Woody Johnson in Timeline

Robert Wood "Woody" Johnson IV is an American businessman and heir to the Johnson & Johnson fortune. He's a co-owner of the New York Jets and served as the United States Ambassador to the United Kingdom from 2017 to 2021. His business acumen and political involvement define his public profile.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

1921: Birth of Betty Johnson (née Wold)

In 1921, Betty Johnson (née Wold), the mother of Robert Wood Johnson IV, was born.

1938: Initial location of the Embassy

In 2018, Johnson oversaw the relocation of the United States Embassy in London from Grosvenor Square, where it had been since 1938, to a new location in Nine Elms.

April 12, 1947: Robert Wood Johnson IV Born

On April 12, 1947, Robert Wood Johnson IV, an American businessman, co-owner of the New York Jets, and former United States ambassador to the United Kingdom, was born.

1997: Donation to the Republican Party

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

1998: Donation to George W. Bush's Campaign

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

January 2000: Purchase of the New York Jets

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

2000: Political Donations

By the year 2000, 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 football team for $635 million, then the highest price for a New York professional sports team.

2006: Settlement with the IRS

In 2006, Johnson settled with the IRS, agreeing to pay owed taxes plus interest related to purchased capital gain losses.

May 2008: Fundraiser for John McCain

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

April 10, 2010: MetLife Stadium officially opened

On April 10, 2010, the Meadowlands Stadium, later named MetLife Stadium, officially opened, shared as an equal partnership between the New York Jets and the New York Giants, following Johnson's acquisition of the Jets.

2011: Endorsement of Mitt Romney

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

2011: Criticism of Johnson's Ownership Begins

Since the start of the 2011 season, Johnson's ownership of the Jets has been criticized in the media.

2012: Endorsement of Mitt Romney

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

September 2013: Fundraiser for the Republican National Committee

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

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

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

May 2016: Endorsement of Donald Trump

In May 2016, after Trump became the presumptive nominee, Johnson endorsed Trump for president.

January 19, 2017: Announcement as Nominee for Ambassador

On January 19, 2017, President-elect Donald Trump announced his plan to nominate Johnson as the United States Ambassador to the United Kingdom.

June 22, 2017: Nomination for Ambassador Position

On June 22, 2017, Trump nominated Johnson for the position of United States Ambassador to the United Kingdom.

August 3, 2017: Confirmation by the U.S. Senate

On August 3, 2017, Johnson was confirmed by the U.S. Senate by voice vote, following a hearing in the Senate Judiciary Committee, to become the U.S. Ambassador to the United Kingdom.

August 21, 2017: Sworn in as Ambassador

On August 21, 2017, Johnson was sworn in as the United States Ambassador to the United Kingdom by Vice President Mike Pence in the Oval Office.

November 8, 2017: Presentation of Credentials to Queen Elizabeth II

On November 8, 2017, Johnson presented his credentials to Queen Elizabeth II as the U.S. Ambassador to the United Kingdom.

2017: Net Worth Disclosure

In 2017, Johnson 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 owned at least 1.56 million Johnson & Johnson (J&J) shares.

2017: Appointed U.S. Ambassador to the United Kingdom

In 2017, Robert Wood Johnson IV was appointed as the United States Ambassador to the United Kingdom.

2017: Christopher Johnson assumes roles of CEO and Acting Owner

In 2017, upon Woody Johnson becoming the U.S. Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Christopher Johnson assumed the roles of CEO and acting owner of the Jets.

2018: Overseeing Relocation of the U.S. Embassy

In 2018, Johnson oversaw the relocation of the United States Embassy in London to a new location in Nine Elms.

March 14, 2019: Dinner with Queen Elizabeth II

On March 14, 2019, Johnson had a private dinner with Queen Elizabeth II at Winfield House, two days after British Parliament rejected Theresa May's Brexit plan.

March 2019: Advocacy for Agricultural Trade Deregulation

In March 2019, Johnson wrote an article in the Daily Telegraph advocating for closer agricultural trade between the US and UK and the deregulation of US food exports to Britain, supporting chlorinated chicken as safe.

June 2019: Remarks on Post-Brexit US-UK Deal

In June 2019, Johnson stated that a post-Brexit deal between the US and the UK would cover "all things that are traded", including the National Health Service and agricultural sector.

August 2019: Donation to Donald Trump's Campaign

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

2019: Advising Ban on Huawei

In 2019, Johnson advised the UK government to ban Huawei from being used in the nation's 5G networks.

January 2020: Clarification on US Interest in NHS

In January 2020, Johnson stated that the US was never interested in the NHS, but reiterated American interest in a free-trade deal with the UK.

February 2020: Donations to Trump's Re-election Campaign and the RNC

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

May 2020: Donation to America First Action, Inc.

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

July 2020: State Department Investigation

In July 2020, the State Department investigated allegations that Johnson made inappropriate comments about race, personal appearance, and Black History Month.

August 2020: Inspector General Report Issued

In August 2020, the inspector general issued a report stating that Johnson "sometimes made inappropriate or insensitive comments on topics generally considered Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO)-sensitive, such as religion, sex, or color" that could "create an offensive working environment" and violate EEO laws.

2020: Death of Betty Johnson (née Wold)

In 2020, Betty Johnson (née Wold), the mother of Robert Wood Johnson IV, passed away.

2020: Welcoming the Ban on Huawei

In 2020, after Britain decided to ban Huawei from its 5G mobile networks, Johnson welcomed the decision.

January 8, 2021: Condemnation of the Capitol Attack

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

2021: Resumption as Chairman

In 2021, Johnson resumed his role as chairman of the New York Jets.

2021: End of Ambassadorship

In 2021, Robert Wood Johnson IV's tenure as the United States Ambassador to the United Kingdom came to an end.

2021: Woody Johnson Resumes Position as Chairman

In 2021, after returning to the United States, Woody Johnson resumed his position as chairman of the Jets, with Christopher Johnson becoming vice-chairman.