“Survivor” is a game that ends with one person claiming the life-changing $1 million prize, but sometimes the winner is not the one people expect. The title of Sole Survivor is the result of taking out the biggest competitors, being likable in the cast, and appealing to the jury, all while arguing the case of why you’re the most deserving of the win. While many of the champions are well-deserved, at least according to the passionate fans at home, others spark massive debate when Jeff Probst reads their names out loud. Scroll through our photo gallery above (or click here for direct access) where we detail the Top 10 biggest “Survivor” upset winners of all time.
Tina Wesson (Season 2 — “Survivor: The Australian Outback”)
Back when “Survivor” was watched by almost 50 million people, Colby Donaldson was the young, fit, charming cowboy who the public wanted to prevail — and he almost did, making it to the Final Two.
Tina Wesson (Season 2 — “Survivor: The Australian Outback”)
Back when “Survivor” was watched by almost 50 million people, Colby Donaldson was the young, fit, charming cowboy who the public wanted to prevail — and he almost did, making it to the Final Two.
- 5/24/2023
- by Christopher Tsang and Marcus James Dixon
- Gold Derby
When “Survivor: Winners at War” host Jeff Probst reads the final votes of Season 40 (from the comfort of his own home), whose name will you be rooting for to see on the parchment? As of this writing, only nine castaways remain in the running to take home the series-high prize of $2 million, with one more scheduled to join them from the Edge of Extinction at a later date. Vote in our poll below for the person you hope wins “Survivor 40” on May 13, and then be sure to defend your choice in the comments section.
See ‘Survivor 40’ advantages: Who currently has immunity idols, fire tokens in ‘Winners at War’?
Sophie Clarke (“Survivor: South Pacific”) — Sophie was the winner of Season 23 on December 18, 2011, with a 6-3-0 vote over Benjamin “Coach” Wade and Albert Destrade. That season’s location was South Pacific.
Michele Fitzgerald (“Survivor: Kaoh Rong”) — Michele was the winner of...
See ‘Survivor 40’ advantages: Who currently has immunity idols, fire tokens in ‘Winners at War’?
Sophie Clarke (“Survivor: South Pacific”) — Sophie was the winner of Season 23 on December 18, 2011, with a 6-3-0 vote over Benjamin “Coach” Wade and Albert Destrade. That season’s location was South Pacific.
Michele Fitzgerald (“Survivor: Kaoh Rong”) — Michele was the winner of...
- 4/16/2020
- by Marcus James Dixon
- Gold Derby
Season 36 of CBS’s long-running “Survivor” franchise, dubbed “Ghost Island,” will come to an end on Wednesday, May 23. Before the night is over one member of the Final 6 — Domenick Abbate, Wendell Holland, Laurel Johnson, Sebastian Noel, Donathan Hurley and Angela Perkins — will join the exclusive list of “Survivor” winners. For a refresher on all of the former champs, from Richard Hatch (“Survivor: Borneo”) to Ben Driebergen (“Survivor: Heroes vs. Healers vs. Hustlers”), click through our extensive photo gallery above.
See‘Survivor: Ghost Island’ finale odds: Domenick Abbate, Wendell Holland, Laurel Johnson in 3-way battle to win $1 million
Men have a slight edge over women on the “Survivor” winners list, with 20 male champs compared to 15 victories by females. Sandra Diaz-Twine is the only two-time winner in the show’s history, prevailing for “Survivor: Pearl Islands” and “Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains.” According to Gold Derby’s exclusive odds, another man will be...
See‘Survivor: Ghost Island’ finale odds: Domenick Abbate, Wendell Holland, Laurel Johnson in 3-way battle to win $1 million
Men have a slight edge over women on the “Survivor” winners list, with 20 male champs compared to 15 victories by females. Sandra Diaz-Twine is the only two-time winner in the show’s history, prevailing for “Survivor: Pearl Islands” and “Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains.” According to Gold Derby’s exclusive odds, another man will be...
- 5/23/2018
- by Marcus James Dixon
- Gold Derby
Unless you’ve been living under a rock the past couple of days, you’re aware of the “Survivor” 35 finale controversy that’s rocking the fandom. Because of a last-minute fire-making challenge twist, Ben Driebergen was able to avoid being voted out by Chrissy Hofbeck, Ryan Ulrich and Devon Pinto. Ben’s fire-making skills were better than Devon’s, so Ben made […]...
- 12/22/2017
- by Marcus James Dixon
- Gold Derby
CBS’ war between heroes, healers and hustlers has finally reached a (somewhat) surprising conclusion.
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Five castaways remained atop Wednesday’s Survivor season finale — Ben Driebergen, 34, Chrissy Hofbeck, 46, Devon Pinto, 23, Ryan Ulrich, 23, and Mike Zahalsky, 43 — with only two hours, as well as one final twist, standing between them and the $1 million prize.
It was every man (and woman) against Ben when the finale began, with Mike likening him to a “villain in a horror movie,” one that refuses to roll over and play dead.
RELATEDAmazing Race Season 30: Big Brother Power Couple, Indy Drivers, Ring Girls, NBA All-Stars and ‘Jaws’ Among Cast
Five castaways remained atop Wednesday’s Survivor season finale — Ben Driebergen, 34, Chrissy Hofbeck, 46, Devon Pinto, 23, Ryan Ulrich, 23, and Mike Zahalsky, 43 — with only two hours, as well as one final twist, standing between them and the $1 million prize.
It was every man (and woman) against Ben when the finale began, with Mike likening him to a “villain in a horror movie,” one that refuses to roll over and play dead.
- 12/21/2017
- TVLine.com
If not he's dominating his respective tribes, Ryan Ulrich has certainly dominated the screen time of Survivor: Heroes vs Healers vs Hustlers. Ryan has been all over and in control for much of the game so far and has very little reason to sweat or be worried. In the two most recent episodes however, Ryan made two big moves. They were so big, in fact, that they threaten to destroy his game entirely.
- 11/2/2017
- by editor@buddytv.com
- buddytv.com
Stephen Fishbach was the runner-up on Survivor: Tocantins and a member of the jury on Survivor Cambodia: Second Chance. He has been blogging about Survivor strategy for People since 2009. Follow him on Twitter @stephenfishbach.
Erik Reichenbach is a former two time Survivor Fan/Favorite and Comic Book Artist. Follow him on Twitter: @ErikReichenb4ch.
“The kind of person who makes a decision and convinces other people of that decision is the kind of person that wins Survivor.” – Hannah Shapiro, Survivor: Millennials vs. Gen. X
“Say yes to everybody.”
It’s classic Survivor advice. No matter who is pulling...
Erik Reichenbach is a former two time Survivor Fan/Favorite and Comic Book Artist. Follow him on Twitter: @ErikReichenb4ch.
“The kind of person who makes a decision and convinces other people of that decision is the kind of person that wins Survivor.” – Hannah Shapiro, Survivor: Millennials vs. Gen. X
“Say yes to everybody.”
It’s classic Survivor advice. No matter who is pulling...
- 10/26/2017
- by Stephen Fishbach
- PEOPLE.com
“It’s a lot of uncertainty, it’s really scary,” proclaims Ryan Ulrich in CBS’s preview trailer for “Survivor” Season 35, Episode 2, titled “I’m a Wild Banshee” (watch above). Ryan is on the Hustlers tribe in this season that pits people against each other based on their dominant threats; the other tribes are Heroes and Healers. […]...
- 10/2/2017
- by Marcus James Dixon
- Gold Derby
An NFL player, an Olympian and a celebrity’s personal assistant are among the 18 castaways who will compete in the upcoming 35th season of CBS’ Survivor, the network announced Wednesday.
Dubbed Heroes, Healers and Hustlers, Season 35 is dividing its contestants into three groups of six groups “based on how they are perceived by others.” Scroll down to meet the castaways competing this fall, or click here if you prefer your introductions in gallery form.
Levu (Heroes Tribe)
* Alan Ball, 31, an NFL player from Houston, Texas
* Ben Driebergen, 34, a Marine from Boise, Id.
* John “Jp” Hilsabeck, 28, a firefighter from Los Angeles
* Chrissy Hofbeck,...
Dubbed Heroes, Healers and Hustlers, Season 35 is dividing its contestants into three groups of six groups “based on how they are perceived by others.” Scroll down to meet the castaways competing this fall, or click here if you prefer your introductions in gallery form.
Levu (Heroes Tribe)
* Alan Ball, 31, an NFL player from Houston, Texas
* Ben Driebergen, 34, a Marine from Boise, Id.
* John “Jp” Hilsabeck, 28, a firefighter from Los Angeles
* Chrissy Hofbeck,...
- 8/30/2017
- TVLine.com
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