Parvati Shallow, Boston Rob Mariano, Sandra Diaz-Twine, Tony Vlachos and Natalie Anderson Getty Images (5) Logo text If there ever was a Mount Rushmore of the reality television greats, Survivor would be etched in stone. One of the longest-running competitive reality programs ever, Survivor has remained a force in the TV landscape, notably deemed the most-watched Emmy nominee of last year's awards cycle. Since debuting in 2000, the CBS series has aired 49 seasons, with each differing from the rest, and each crowning a new winner that defined every separate installment. Many of the Survivor winners are considered pros at the game, successfully influencing the show and how it is played year and year by eager cast members vying for a shot at also being deemed a Sole Survivor. But with 49 seasons under the show's belt, only 47 have actually won the show. And a 48th will soon be named the next winner when Survivor 50 wraps later this spring. Before a new winner is added to the list, The Hollywood Reporter has compiled a go-to roundup of all the Survivor winners, what seasons they've appeared on and all the milestones each champion contributed during their time in the game. Richard Hatch (season one; Borneo) Image Credit: Online USA Logo text Richard Hatch won the inaugural installment of Survivor in 2000, becoming the first Sole Survivor to take home the $1 million prize. To commemorate the show's 20 year anniversary, Hatch spoke with The Hollywood Reporter, where he said he knew the show would "knock people's socks off" before it even aired. His run set the framework for all of the manipulation, backstabbing and strategy that is now standard for the reality series. Hatch was later sentenced to 51 months in prison for not paying taxes on his winnings, and he also received another nine-month sentence for failing to amend his 2000 tax return. He made his sole Survivor return in season eight, the first All-Stars installment, where he placed 14th. Dubbed one of reality TV's first villains, Hatch appeared on the second season of E!'s House of Villains, and has appeared in various reality shows over the years including The Biggest Loser and The Apprentice. Tina Wesson (season two; The Australian Outback) Image Credit: Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images Logo text Tina Wesson won season two of Survivor, making her the first woman to win the series. Before Survivor found its filming home in Fiji, installments were filmed in varying places around the globe, and this one was shot smack-dab in the middle of the Australian outback. Tina later returned for two more Survivor seasons; season eight (the first All-Stars installment) and season 27 (aka Blood vs. Water), where she placed fourth. Her season two runner-up, Colby Donaldson, will be returning to the franchise for Survivor 50. Ethan Zohn (season three; Africa) Image Credit: Kevin Winter/Getty Images Logo text Season three was won by Ethan Zohn, where he entered the show as a professional soccer player. Ethan has played Survivor three times; including his winning turn on season three, a last-place finish for season eight's All-Stars and Winners at War, where he placed 18th. Vecepia Towery (season four; Marquesas) Image Credit: Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images Logo text Vecepia Towery won Survivor: Marquesas, notably making history as the first-ever Black winner of the reality competition series. Season four was her sole stint on the show, as she's never returned to compete in a second installment. Brian Heidik (season five; Thailand) Image Credit: Kevin Winter/ImageDirect Logo text Brian Heidik is one of the most infamous winners in the franchise, having won the fifth season in 2002. Jenna Morasca (season six; The Amazon) Image Credit: Stephen Chernin/Getty Images Logo text Jenna Morasca won season six of Survivor when she was a mere 22 years old, having actually filmed the series when she was only 21, making her the youngest woman to win (an accolade she shares with another winner on this list). She also held the title for youngest winner ever for a few years before season 21's Sole Survivor was crowned. Another esteem she holds, Jenna is the first of two former Survivor players to be the youngest contestant on two seasons. She returned for All-Stars (season eight), where she set another record, becoming the first woman to quit the game. Sandra Diaz-Twine (season seven; Pearl Islands) Image Credit: Kevin Winter/Getty Images Logo text Sandra Diaz-Twine won her first season of Survivor in 2003. As you'll read later (if you're not well-versed in the show's history), Sandra is the first person to ever win the series twice, standing as the Sole Survivor for the second time in the beloved Heroes vs. Villains season. Sandra is also the first Latin-American winner of Survivor. She has appeared on the show several additional times, including to compete on Game Changers (season 34); Winners at War (season 40); and the international spinoff Australian Survivor: Blood V Water (Australi
The Hollywood Reporter
'Survivor': All 47 Winners Who Outwitted, Outplayed and Outlasted Their Competition
February 7, 2026
13 hours ago
5 celebrities mentioned