Given the fact that Survivor just entered its 33rd season, I think it’s safe to say the show’s name proved to be a self-fulfilling prophecy — it has serious staying power. When it first premiered in 2000, the world had never seen anything like it. But as it turns out, dropping off a bunch of people at random locales and having them stick it out in fierce competition turned out to be a viral hit with viewers. Check out what the Survivor winners (the ones who haven’t dropped off the grid, anyway) are up to today. First up? The inimitable Richard Hatch.
Richard Hatch, then
In 2000, Richard Hatch became the very first winner (and villain) of Survivor in Borneo.
Richard Hatch, now
In 2006, Hatch was convicted of tax evasion and served time. Today, he routinely appears on reality TV.
Tina Wesson, then
The first female winner, Wesson won Survivor: The Australian Outback by being the maternal figure.
Tina Wesson, now
Wesson wrote an inspirational book in 2006 and, earlier this year, appeared on The Price is Right: Survivor Edition.
Ethan Zohn, then
One of the most popular players, Zohn won Survivor: Africa by forming a strategic alliance and sticking to it.
Ethan Zohn, now
A two-time cancer survivor, Zohn is an inspirational speaker. In July, he married interior designer Lisa Heywood.
Vecepia Towery, then
Towery has remained off the radar since winning Survivor: Marquesas, the fourth season of the show.
Brian Heidik, then
Outside of some reality TV and legal trouble, little is known about Survivor: Thailand winner Heidik.
Jenna Morasca, then
In 2003, Morasca became the youngest woman (at 21) to win, snagging the Survivor: The Amazon title.
Jenna Morasca, now
Morasca has hosted shows for numerous networks and currently runs her own entertainment blog.
Sandra Diaz-Twine, then
The only two-timer, Diaz-Twine won Survivor: Pearl Islands and Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains.
Sandra Diaz-Twine, now
Diaz-Twine returned to normal life with her 2 million bucks, telling People, “I don’t do a damn thing.”
Amber Brkich, then
Amber beat out Rob Mariano to win Survivor: All Stars. But she did agree to marry him at the reunion show!
Amber Brkich, now
Amber and Rob got married and now live in Florida with their four (yes, four!) daughters.
Chris Daugherty, then and now
Considered the ultimate underdog, Daugherty won Survivor: Vanuatu. He got married in 2009.
Tom Westman, then and now
A natural leader, Westman won Survivor: Palau. He is now a motivational speaker.
Danni Boatwright, then
A former beauty queen, Boatwright won the 11th season, which was set in Guatemala.
Danni Boatwright, now
Boatwright married NFL center Casey Wiegmann and launched a sports clothing label, Sideline Chic.
Aras Baskauskas, then
One of the most likable players of all time, Baskauskas won Survivor: Panama.
Aras Baskauskas, now
After trying his hand at music, Baskauskas married his model girlfriend and welcomed a son, River.
Yul Kwon, then
The first Asian-American winner, Kwon was part of the Aitu alliance on Survivor: Cook Islands.
Yul Kwon, now
Kwon worked for the government and was a TV host before becoming director of product management at Facebook.
Earl Cole, then
Despite being part of the winless Ravu tribe, Cook’s charisma led him to win Survivor: Fiji.
Earl Cole, now
Cole has invested in philanthropies and tech ventures, such as a sports site called Player’s Bracket.
Todd Herzog, then
The winner of Survivor: China, Herzog proved to be a brilliant (and likable) strategist.
Todd Herzog, now
Herzog struggled with alcoholism over the years and was counseled by Dr. Phil but is now sober.
Parvati Shallow, then
It took three seasons of the show, but Shallow finally won on Survivor: Micronesia.
Parvati Shallow, now
Shallow was a health editor for CBSNews.com before focusing on her work as a certified yoga teacher.
Bob Crowley, then
At 57, Crowley became the oldest winner when he took top honors on Survivor: Gabon.
Bob Crowley, now
Crowley and his wife opened Maine Forest Yurts, a “glamorous camping” retreat.
J.T. Thomas, Jr., then and now
When Survivor: Tocantins winner Thomas got married in 2015, his fellow castaway Stephen Fishbach officiated.
Natalie White, then and now
After winning Survivor: Samoa as part of the Foa Foa Four alliance, White dropped off the radar.
Jud Birza, then
When he took home top honors on 2010’s Survivor: Nicaragua at 21, he became the youngest winner ever.
Jud Birza, now
In addition to booking various modeling gigs, Birza plays drums in the band Space Funk Odyssey.
Rob Mariano, then
The only four-time castaway, “Boston Rob” won Survivor: Redemption Island.
Rob Mariano, now
A host and producer, Mariano is married to fellow Survivor Amber Brkich. They live in Florida with their four daughters.
Sophie Clarke, then
Known for her blunt but witty disposition, Clarke snagged the title of Survivor: South Pacific winner.
Sophie Clarke, now
Clarke is largely out of the limelight. Rather, she enjoys traveling and playing soccer.
Kim Spradlin, then
The winner of Survivor: One World, Spradlin led a powerful female alliance.
Kim Spradlin, now
Spradlin, who owns a bridal shop, married Bryan Wolfe in 2013. The couple now has three kids.
Denise Stapley, then
Despite visiting every single Tribal Council, Stapley wound up winning Survivor: Philippines.
Denise Stapley, now
Stapley is a licensed mental health therapist and currently Iowa’s only AASECT-certified sex therapist.
John Cochran, then
Cochran surprised everyone with his dominant turn (and win) on Survivor: Caramoan.
John Cochran, now
A Harvard Law grad, Cochran is now a screenwriter living in Los Angeles.
Tyson Apostol, then
It took three rounds, but Apostol finally won Survivor: Blood vs. Water.
Tyson Apostol, now
Today, Apostol hosts News AF, a weekly podcast. He is married to Rachel Foulger, and they have a daughter.
Tony Vlachos, then and now
Called a “Tasmanian Devil” by Jeff Probst, Vlachos won Survivor: Cagayan. He now lives in New Jersey with his wife and kids.
Natalie Anderson, then
After her twin sister was the first person voted off, Anderson rallied to win Survivor: San Juan del Sur.
Natalie Anderson, now
These days, Anderson (who also competed on The Amazing Race) spends a lot of time at the gym and beach.
Mike Holloway, then
A bit overbearing but bold, Holloway won Survivor: Worlds Apart.
Mike Holloway, now
Holloway has stayed close to his Survivor castmates. He owns a T-shirt shop in Texas.
Jeremy Collins, then
The most recent winner, Collins took the title of Survivor: Cambodia.
Jeremy Collins, now
Earlier this year, Collins appeared on an episode of the soap opera The Young and the Restless.
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