Rhonda Rookmaker: Jimmy Johnson Said He Didn’t Need a Spouse — But He’s Been With Her for 26 Years. What’s Her Secret?
Rhonda Rookmaker is best known as the wife of Jimmy Johnson, a former NFL player, sports analyst, and the first and only NFL coach to win both a college football national championship with the University of Miami and a Super Bowl with the Dallas Cowboys.
Rookmaker and Johnson have been together since 1999, marking their 26th anniversary on July 18, 2025. Although married to a well-respected sports coach, Rookmaker enjoys a life out of the spotlight. This article discusses everything we know about Rhona Rookmaker, including her relationship with Jimmy Johnson, her net worth, and career details.
Who Is Rhonda Rookmaker?
Rhonda Rookmaker was born on July 1, 1954, in the Florida Keys, making her 71 years old as of 2025.
Since Rookmaker keeps a low profile, little is known about her childhood, parents, and education.
She and Johnson have been together since 1999, but have no biological children together. She’s stepmother to Johnson’s two sons, Brent and Chad, from his first marriage to Linda Kay Cooper.
Some sources claim that Rookmaker has three children of her own from a previous marriage as well, but we couldn’t find photos or any mention of their names.
How Did Rhonda Rookmaker And Jimmy Johnson Meet?
Rhonda Rookmaker and Jimmy Johnson first met in 1984 at a salon in Coral Gables, where she worked as a hairdresser.
At the time, Rookmaaker had just divorced her first husband and Johnson was still married to his childhood sweetheart, Linda Kay Cooper. Neither had any interest in starting a relationship, but that didn’t stop them from becoming good friends.
Image source: Instagram
That was until six years later, when Johnson divorced Linda Kay Cooper after 26 years of marriage. When asked why he decided to end the relationship, Johnson merely stated that he “no longer needed the social prop of a spouse.”
It’s unknown whether Johnson and Rookmaker remained close over the years. However, some sources claim that the duo dated for several years before finally tying the knot in 1999.
By that time, Johnson’s career as a sports coach was at its peak. He led the Dallas Cowboys to two Super Bowl victories back-to-back in the 1992 and 1993 seasons, and became the head coach of the Miami Dolphins in 1996. He coached the Dolphins until January 2000, leading them to three consecutive winning seasons and Wild Card playoff berths.
Rookmaker and Johnson got married in a private ceremony at Johnson’s oceanfront home in the Florida Keys, and they have continued to be together 26 years later.
Rookmaker would regularly accompany Johnson at major NFL events, showing her support from the sidelines. She has often participated in community initiatives with the NFL, as well.
Outside of these events, Rookmaker preferred to keep to herself. She’s rarely seen in the media or at high-profile celebrity gatherings. She instead focused on her career as a salon business owner in Dallas, Texas, and a stepmother to Johnson’s two boys.
Image source: Instagram
Rhona Rookmaker’s Net Worth
Rhonda Rookmaker built a career in the beauty industry. She’s worked as a hairdresser for years before meeting Johnson, and currently owns a salon in Dallas, Texas.
The name of the salon isn’t public information, so we don’t know how popular or big it is, or the services it offers.
Rookmaker’s net worth is estimated to be between $1 million and $2 million, though some sources claim it’s double or even triple that amount.
Jimmy Johnson’s net worth, meanwhile, is a staggering $45 million. This makes him among the Top 5 richest American coaches, according to Nichness. Johnson is currently retired and living his best life with his lifelong partner.
Impact of Marriage on Rhonda Rookmaker’s Career
Upon marrying multi-millionaire Jimmy Johnson, Rhona Rookmaker gradually stepped back from the day-to-day operations of her salon and dedicated most of her time to supporting Johnson’s career and participating in charitable causes. She also opened a salon, relegating the most important tasks to her employees.
Image source: Google
Rookmaker focused much of her energy on taking care of her stepchildren, Brent and Chad Johnson.
Most notably, she supported Chad Johnson when he was battling substance abuse for two decades. Today, Chad is in recovery and founded Tranquil Shores in 2009, a treatment center focused on helping others overcome addiction. Rookmaaker and Johnson have since become advocates for addiction recovery, actively supporting Chad’s work at Tranquil Shores.
Featured image source: Instagram
