Robert Wood Johnson IV (born April 12, 1947) is an American businessman and the owner and chairman of the NFL's New York Jets and was the United States ambassador to the United Kingdom from 2017 to 2021 during Donald Trump's first term. He is a great-grandson of Robert Wood Johnson I and an heir to the Johnson & Johnson pharmaceutical fortune. In 2000, he purchased the Jets for $635 million alongside his younger brother, Christopher Johnson.
A long-time Republican Party donor, Johnson was a supporter of Donald Trump's presidential campaign in 2016 and was subsequently appointed as the US Ambassador to the United Kingdom. Events during his tenure included Britain's exit from the EU and the relocation of the United States embassy in London. His brother Christopher took over Jets operations during his tenure.
Upon his return to the New York in 2021, Johnson resumed his role as chairman of the Jets. In 2023, he pursued Aaron Rodgers, with the Jets finalizing a trade with the Green Bay Packers in April. In 2022, Johnson made a £2 billion bid for Chelsea but withdrew from the bidding process later that month. In July 2025, Johnson completed the purchase of a 43% stake in Crystal Palace from Eagle Football Holdings, becoming a partner and director of the club.Reuters. "New York Jets co-owner Johnson completes purchase of 43% stake in Crystal Palace." 25 July 2025. https://www.reuters.com/sports/soccer/new-york-jets-co-owner-johnson-completes-purchase-stake-palace-2025-07-25/
Early life and education Johnson was born in New Brunswick, New Jersey, the son of Betty Johnson (née Wold; 1921–2020) and Robert Wood Johnson III, and the great-grandson of Robert Wood Johnson I, who founded the Johnson & Johnson pharmaceutical company, along with his brothers James Wood Johnson and Edward Mead Johnson.Susan Warner, The Family Behind the Company, New York Times (April 10, 2005). Robert Wood Johnson IV grew up with four siblings: Keith Johnson, Billy Johnson, Elizabeth "Libet" Johnson, and Christopher Wold Johnson, in northern New Jersey, and attended the Millbrook School. He graduated from the University of Arizona.Woody Johnson, New York Jets, Sports Illustrated (July 16, 2018) He worked for J&J for a single summer.
Career
The Johnson Company, Inc Johnson was the chairman and chief executive of The Johnson Company, Inc., a private investment firm.Robert Wood Johnson IV, chairman and chief executive officer, Getty Images (August 1, 2006).
In 2006, a Senate subcommittee produced a 370-page report that said that some prominent figures, including Johnson, purchased capital gain losses as a way to reduce their own income tax bills. Johnson settled with the IRS in 2006, agreeing to pay the owed taxes plus interest.
Johnson was the committee president of the Pre-Commissioning Unit for the ship USS New York (LPD-21).
New York Jets In January 2000, Woody Johnson purchased the New York Jets from the estate of Leon Hess for $635 million. At the time, it was the third-highest price ever paid for a professional sports team, and the highest for a New York professional sports team. As of December 2024, Forbes estimated the value of the team at $6.9 billion.
Following his acquisition of the Jets, Johnson moved the team to the newly constructed Meadowlands Stadium, sharing it as an equal partner with the New York Giants. The stadium, later named MetLife Stadium, officially opened on April 10, 2010.
In 2017, upon being appointed the U.S. Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Johnson's brother, Christopher Johnson, assumed the roles of CEO and acting owner of the Jets. Woody Johnson resumed his position as chairman in 2021 after returning to the United States, with Christopher Johnson becoming vice-chairman.
In January 2023, Johnson expressed the need for a strong quarterback to complement the Jets' robust defense, describing it as the "missing piece" in the team's lineup. Subsequently, Johnson pursued four-time MVP Aaron Rodgers, stating to ESPN the importance of securing the best possible quarterback to lead the team. The Jets also hired Nathaniel Hackett as offensive coordinator, given his strong rapport with Rodgers. On April 24, 2023, it was reported that the Jets were finalizing a trade deal with the Green Bay Packers for Rodgers. Johnson has been widely criticized for his handling of the Jets. As of 2025, the team has had the longest active playoff drought in the NFL, with one season above .500.
Johnson fired Robert Saleh during the 2024 season; Saleh finished 20–36 and without a winning season. In January 2025, Johnson hired Aaron Glenn as the team's new head coach and Darren Mougey as the new general manager. In his statement on the hiring, Johnson expressed his desire to play a less active role in the team's day-to-day management, stating "I want Aaron Glenn to coach the team and I want the general manager to manage the assets and players and I'll take an owner's position."
Under Johnson, the New York Jets Foundation has funded charitable programs related to youth sports, military veterans, education and medical research. The Jets have held walk-a-thons, benefit luncheons, and other events related to the Lupus Research Alliance, which Johnson founded. In 2001, the team partnered with the Public Schools Athletic League. The Jets have also sponsored hundreds of girls' flag football programs, in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Ireland. In 2015, Johnson received the Steinberg DeNicola Humanitarian Award for NFL owners who engage in philanthropy.
Johnson also helped the league select a successor to NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue.Search Committee Selects Five Candidates to Succeed NFL Commission Paul Tagliabue, National Football League (July 30, 2006).NFL's Goodell among five after commish job, Associated Press (July 30, 2006).
Other sports ventures In March 2022, Johnson made a £2 billion bid to purchase London football club Chelsea from sanctioned billionaire Roman Abramovich. Johnson, who became a fan of the team during his ambassadorship in London, was considered to have an advantage over other bidders like Saudi Media Group due to his familiarity with London and experience in sports management. However, by March 25, it was reported that Johnson was no longer in contention to buy Chelsea.
He agreed to buy a 45% share from John Textor in another London club, Crystal Palace, in June 2025, which would make him the largest shareholder in the club. The deal was completed on July 24, 2025, but was reported as a 43% stake purchase.
Net worth Johnson is a billionaire. Woody Johnson: Trump picks NFL tycoon as UK ambassador, BBC News (23 June 2017). As a fourth-generation descendant of one of the founders of the Johnson & Johnson company, he is one of the heirs of the Johnson family fortune. In a 2017 financial disclosure form, 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 reported owning at least 1.56 million J&J shares (a stake then valued at more than $50 million).Jets Owner Woody Johnson Is Worth $4.2 Billion, Bloomberg (July 11, 2017). As of April 2024, the Bloomberg Billionaires Index placed his net worth at an estimated $9.92 billion.
Political fundraising and endorsements By the year 2000, Johnson had given more than $1 million to various Republican candidates and committees. Between 1997 and 1998, he donated $130,000 to the Republican Party, along with donating $22,583 to George W. Bush's 1998 gubernatorial re-election campaign of Texas. He was later a major New York fundraiser for Bush's 2000 presidential campaign.
In May 2008, he orchestrated a fundraiser in New York City that brought in $7 million in a single evening for John McCain's presidential campaign, by far the largest amount collected up to that point by a campaign that had been struggling to raise money. Johnson also provided significant funding to 2008 Republican National Convention host committee; from a $10 million shortfall, Johnson contributed personally and solicited friends to assist in covering the convention deficit. In 2011, Johnson endorsed former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney in the 2012 Republican presidential primaries. In September 2013, Johnson hosted a fundraiser for the Republican National Committee (RNC) at his home in New York City.
By 2016, Johnson had known Donald Trump for about 30 years, with the two men having social connections. Nevertheless, in the 2016 Republican presidential primaries, Johnson initially endorsed Jeb Bush over Trump. In June 2015, Johnson was named the national finance chairman for Bush's campaign. On several occasions, Trump singled out Johnson in a speech attacking Bush for accepting "special interest" money from donors. In May 2016, after Trump became the presumptive nominee, Johnson endorsed Trump for president. He met with Trump at Trump Tower and was named one of the RNC's six finance vice chairmen, responsible for an effort to raise $1 billion on behalf of Trump's campaign.
Johnson had by August 2019 donated $1.5 million to Donald Trump's presidential campaigns and inaugural committee. In February 2020, Johnson gave $575,000 to a fundraising committee for Trump's 2020 re-election campaign, and $355,000 to the RNC. In May 2020, he gave $1 million to America First Action, Inc., a pro-Trump super PAC.
On January 8, 2021, Johnson released a statement condemning the 2021 United States Capitol attack.
In 2023, Johnson gave at least $1 million to a super PAC backing Trump's 2024 presidential campaign.Rebecca Davis O'Brien, Trump, Trailing Biden in Cash, Relies on Big Donors to Try to Catch Up, New York Times (April 15, 2024). He stood behind Trump at an election-night rally during the 2024 South Carolina primary.How Trump Is Scrambling to Raise Cash, New York Times (March 16, 2024).
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.
Ambassador to Britain (2017–2021)
On January 19, 2017, President-elect Donald Trump announced that he planned to nominate Johnson to become United States Ambassador to the United Kingdom. On June 22, 2017, Trump nominated Johnson for the position. Prior to becoming ambassador, he had no diplomatic experience.
Following a hearing in the Senate Judiciary Committee, Johnson was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on August 3, 2017, by voice vote. He was sworn in by Vice President Mike Pence on August 21, 2017, in the Oval Office. Johnson presented his credentials to Queen Elizabeth II on November 8, 2017.
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.
Brexit During Johnson's tenure, Britain withdrew from the EU. Johnson advocated for a bilateral US-UK trade deal post-Brexit, in line with President Trump's hopes during that time. Johnson had a private dinner with Queen Elizabeth II at Winfield House on March 14, 2019, just two days after British Parliament rejected Theresa May's Brexit plan.
In June 2019, he further 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. 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.
Agriculture