Emily Maynard Johnson Says Her 'Life and Soul' Changed After Fiancé Ricky's Shocking Death: 'Paralyzed at Age 18 Forever'

Mar. 15, 2025

Emily Maynard Johnson.Photo:John Fleenor via Getty

John Fleenor via Getty

Emily Maynard Johnsonis remembering her late fiancé Ricky Hendrick on the 20th anniversary of his death.

The former Bachelorette, 38, shared an emotional Instagram post on Thursday, Oct. 24 alongside a black and white photo of her smiling and wrapping her arm around Hendrick.

“20 years. How did this even happen? It’s so strange to have a specific marker in time that completely changed my life and soul forever,” she wrote.

Hendrick — who was a NASCAR driver — died in a plane crash in 2004 shortly before Maynard Johnson found out that she was pregnant with their daughter, who she later named Ricki, at age 18.

“I look at pictures and don’t even recognize that girl anymore, no matter how much I wish I could,” she shared. “In one hand I feel like I’ve changed so much and then in the other, that I’ve been paralyzed at age 18 forever.”

The former reality star’s mother, Susie, also reflected on the loss of Hendrick and the former couple’s love story in the comment section.

“He was her first love, and she was his last, a beautiful love story that lives thru their daughter and all who got to be part of their lives,” Susie wrote. “My heart is with you both on this day of remembrance and tribute to a beautiful soul taken too soon❤️”

Ricki also reposted her mother’s tribute on social media, adding, “The man, the myth, the legend,” with a white heart.

“Everyone misses you, Dad,” she continued.

From left: Emily Maynard Johnson with her daughter Ricki.emily maynard johnson/Instagram

emily maynard johnson/Instagram

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Years after Hendrick’s death, Maynard Johnson gotengaged to Brad Womackon season 15 ofThe Bachelorin 2011, andJef Holmpopped the question on her season ofThe Bachelorettethe following year before she ultimately found lasting love with Johnson.

Maynard Johnson and Johnson tied the knot in 2014, and along with her now 19-year-old daughter Ricki, are parents to Jennings, 9,Gibson, 8, Gatlin, 7,  Nola Belle, 4, and Jones, 2.

Back in 2018, the television personality revealed that Johnson and Hendrick share the same birthday, April 2, in asweet messageposted on Instagram.

source: people.com