Who Is Rhonda Rookmaaker? Meet Jimmy Johnson’s Private but Loyal Wife

Rhonda Rookmaaker is not a name you often hear in the spotlight. Most people know her as the wife of famous NFL coach and sports analyst Jimmy Johnson. But Rhonda’s story is much more than that.

She is a woman who lived a quiet life, worked hard as a hairdresser, and found love later in life. While her husband was busy making history on the football field and on TV, Rhonda stayed by his side — calm, loyal, and private.

In this article, we’ll take a friendly look at Rhonda Rookmaaker’s life. We’ll talk about her age, background, career, how she met Jimmy Johnson, their wedding, and much more. If you’ve ever asked, “Is Jimmy Johnson still married?” or “Who is the woman behind the legend?” — keep reading. You’re about to find out.

Rhonda Rookmaaker Quick Bio

How Old Is Rhonda Rookmaaker Today?

Rhonda Rookmaaker was born on July 1, 1954, in the United States. That means she will be 71 years old in 2025.

She was 45 years old when she married Jimmy Johnson in 1999. At the time, Jimmy was 56. That puts an age difference of about 11 years between them, but it never seemed to matter. Their connection was built on friendship, trust, and years of knowing each other before tying the knot.

Many fans are surprised to learn her age because she still looks strong and happy in the few public photos we see of her. Rhonda’s peaceful and private lifestyle may be one reason she has aged so gracefully.

Early Life and Family Background

Not much is known about Rhonda’s early life, and that’s because she has always chosen to live away from the spotlight.

She was born and raised somewhere in the United States, but details about her parents or siblings are not publicly shared. Some sources suggest she had a normal upbringing and focused on building a steady career for herself.

We also don’t know much about her schooling, but it’s clear that she found her passion in hairstyling and worked hard at it. Long before she met Jimmy Johnson, Rhonda was already working and living a quiet life.

Rhonda Rookmaaker’s Career as a Hairdresser

Before Rhonda became known as Jimmy Johnson’s wife, she worked as a hairdresser. This was her profession for many years.

She worked in Coral Gables, Florida, at a local salon. This was in the 1980s, and she was known for her kind personality and strong work ethic. Rhonda wasn’t chasing fame or attention. She simply did her job and lived a calm life — something she has continued even after marrying a public figure.

It was through this job that her life would completely change. One day, a well-known football coach walked into the salon — and that’s where their story began.

How Rhonda Met Jimmy Johnson – A Real-Life Love Story

Rhonda met Jimmy Johnson in 1984 while working at the salon in Coral Gables. At that time, Jimmy was the head football coach at the University of Miami. He was married to someone else, and Rhonda was focused on her own life.

Still, something about their meeting must have made a strong impression. After Jimmy’s divorce from his first wife in 1990, he and Rhonda grew closer. Their friendship turned into something deeper, and they began dating.

What’s interesting is that they didn’t rush into marriage. They dated for about 15 years before getting engaged. That’s a long time, but it also shows how steady and patient their relationship was.

Rhonda Rookmaaker and Jimmy Johnson’s Wedding

After many years together, Rhonda and Jimmy finally got married on July 18, 1999. Their wedding wasn’t a big celebrity event. In fact, it was a private ceremony at Jimmy’s oceanfront home in the Florida Keys.

Only close family and friends were there. No cameras, no loud headlines — just a peaceful, loving moment by the sea. It perfectly matched Rhonda’s quiet personality.

By the time they married, Jimmy was already well-known in the NFL world. But Rhonda stayed true to herself — she remained grounded, supportive, and away from the spotlight.

Is Jimmy Johnson Still Married to Rhonda Rookmaaker?

Yes, Jimmy Johnson is still happily married to Rhonda Rookmaaker. They’ve now been together for over 25 years, and their bond still looks strong.

The couple lives in Islamorada, Florida Keys, where they enjoy a quiet life by the water. Jimmy has often shared how much he loves fishing and relaxing with Rhonda. They spend time on their boat and stay away from loud public life.

Many people wonder how they’ve stayed together for so long. One reason may be Rhonda’s calm and steady nature. She doesn’t chase attention. She simply supports her husband and enjoys their peaceful home life.

Does Rhonda Rookmaaker Have Children?

Rhonda Rookmaaker does not have children of her own, but she is the stepmother to Jimmy Johnson’s two sons — Brent Johnson and Chad Johnson. These sons came from Jimmy’s first marriage to Linda Kay Cooper.

Over the years, Rhonda has been part of their family life. Even though she didn’t raise them from childhood, she is seen in family photos and events, showing that she plays a supportive role.

Rhonda also became a grandmother when Jimmy and Linda’s son Chad welcomed a child in 2021. Rhonda was part of that happy moment, showing how close she is to the family.

Rhonda Rookmaaker Health and Private Lifestyle

As of 2025, Rhonda Rookmaaker is in good health and living a peaceful life. She has not shared any health issues publicly.

She stays away from social media and keeps her personal life very private. This helps her enjoy a stress-free lifestyle, even while being married to a public figure like Jimmy Johnson.

If you look at the few pictures available, Rhonda often appears calm, smiling, and content. Many people admire how she has stayed grounded despite her husband’s fame.

Rhonda Rookmaaker Net Worth and Shared Wealth

Rhonda’s personal net worth is estimated to be around $100,000, earned from her years working as a hairdresser.

However, her husband, Jimmy Johnson, has a much bigger net worth. As of 2025, Jimmy Johnson’s net worth is around $40 million. This comes from his NFL coaching career, broadcasting work with Fox Sports, and business ventures.

Together, they live a very comfortable life. Jimmy also owns restaurants, such as Three Rings in Miami and JJ’s Big Chill in Key Largo. Rhonda may not be involved in the business side, but she shares in the success and helps keep their life balanced.

Rhonda Rookmaaker Photos and Public Appearances

Rhonda Rookmaaker doesn’t appear in public often, but she has been seen at a few big events.

One of her rare public photos was at the NFL Honors event in 2020, where she walked the red carpet with Jimmy. She also appeared in older pictures, like a 1992 beach photo shoot with Jimmy during his Dallas Cowboys days.

Most other photos are shared by Jimmy on his Instagram — sometimes showing their time on boats or family moments. Even though she avoids media, fans enjoy seeing these small glimpses into her quiet life.

Jimmy Johnson’s First Wife – Linda Kay Cooper

Before Rhonda, Jimmy Johnson was married to Linda Kay Cooper, his college sweetheart. They got married in 1963 and had two sons, Brent and Chad Johnson.

After 27 years of marriage, they divorced in 1990. Jimmy once said he didn’t want “a social prop of a wife,” which explained why he didn’t remarry right away. But in time, he found a different kind of partnership with Rhonda.

Sadly, Linda Kay Cooper passed away in 2003 at the age of 61. She had worked as a teacher and was respected in her own right. Her legacy lives on through her children and grandchildren.

Final Thoughts

Rhonda Rookmaaker may not be in the spotlight, but her quiet support, loyalty, and peaceful presence have made a lasting impact.

She spent years working as a hairdresser, met the love of her life, and stood by his side through football fame, family ups and downs, and retirement. Today, she continues to live a private life with grace and strength.

Her story shows us something important — you don’t need to be loud or famous to be strong. Sometimes, quiet loyalty says more than words ever could.

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