Philanthropist, model, and later Broadway producer, Joanna Carson led a rich and varied life. Her keen eye for beauty informed these pursuits, reflected particularly in the art and jewelry that she collected throughout her life. From the leading protagonists of twentieth-century modernism, including Henri Matisse, Henry Moore, and Pablo Picasso, to exquisite pastels by Edgar Degas, her collection showcases the breadth and depth of this period of art. Her jewelry collection, radiant with vibrant gemstones and exquisite works from distinguished houses such as Van Cleef & Arpels and David Webb, stands as a testament to enduring elegance.

Carson was born in New York in 1937. After graduating high school, she pursued a career as a model, quickly becoming one of the city’s best known and in demand faces. She was first married to Tim Holland, a professional backgammon player, with whom she had a son, Joe. After six years together, the couple divorced. In 1971, she met the famed television host, Johnny Carson, in New York’s fashionable 21 Club. A whirlwind romance followed, and the couple married in 1972 in a surprise wedding that Johnny announced while celebrating the tenth anniversary of his iconic tenure as host of The Tonight Show. Carson and her son soon moved to California with Johnny, as his show relocated from Rockefeller Center to studios closer to Hollywood. There, she bought an opulent Bel Air mansion, which would remain her home for the rest of her life. Friends with the Sinatras and neighbors of Nancy Reagan, the couple enjoyed a busy and vibrant social life throughout just over a decade of marriage.

Throughout her life in California, Carson dedicated herself to charitable work away from the public eye. She served as Vice President on the board of directors of the Women’s Guild of Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, and was closely associated with both the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation and SHARE, Inc., a California-based charity that raises money to support children in need. In a testament to the spirit of generosity that underpinned so much of her life, the sale of her collection will be sold with the intent to benefit three charities: SHARE, Inc., as well as Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, and The David Geffen Foundation, Los Angeles.

Over the past decade, Carson became involved with Broadway, producing a number of successful musicals including American Psycho (2016), Beetlejuice (2019 and 2022) and American Buffalo (2022).

Carson’s art collection, previously offered at Christie’s New York, brought together outstanding works by Henry Moore, Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, Edgar Degas, Pierre Bonnard and Marino Marini among others.

In her jewelry collection, Carson curated an assemblage that is a reflection of her refined taste and style. It spans everything from the iconic, sculptural creations of American designer David Webb to a brilliant emerald and diamond necklace that radiates glamour. Adding to the allure are captivating diamonds, including a timeless rivière necklace and an elegant Van Cleef & Arpels diamond feather brooch whose intricate detailing showcases the maison’s exceptional artistry. Together, these jewels reveal a collector with an eye for craftsmanship and beauty that carry a story within their design.

Christie’s is honored to be offering The Collection of Joanna Carson in celebration of Carson’s legacy of glamour and giving.