Catching up with the Last 9 Survivor Winners
How Their Lives Have Changed Since Winning the Million Dollars
Jul 10, 2009
After nine years and eighteen seasons, Survivor is still going strong. While its last nine winners have arguably achieved less fame from winning their seasons, all nine have been able to achieve financial security and pursue life-long dreams, such as traveling the world. Find out what they’ve been up to below.
10. Tom Westman
On August 8, 2005, Survivor: Palau winner and New York City firefighter Tom Westman announced his retirement from the fire department. He now works as an insurance salesman for The Hartford Financial Services Group, and continues to reside in New York with his wife and children. He used his million dollar winnings to fund college savings for his three kids and to make home repairs.
11. Danielle “Danni” Boatwright
Survivor: Guatemala champion Danni Boatwright is currently the on-air radio host for KCSP, also known as 610 Sports, in Kansas City. She is also the co-host of “Sports Rap” every Sunday. Boatwright was previously a spokesmodel for Coleman products and the Trackstick GPS tracking device.
She is now married to Casey Wiegmann of the Denver Broncos. Their first child was born on October 8, 2007.
12. Aras Baskauskas
Currently, Survivor: Exile Island winner Aras Baskauskas is the CEO of a winter hat company called Tundra Gear. He also remains committed to yoga, and recently released an instructional DVD called ‘Yoga for Health and Wellness.’ Additionally, he is involved with The Cheshire Project, a non-profit organization that benefits those with disabilities.
Baskauskas has also used his Survivor winnings to pursue his other passion in life: music. In addition, he purchased new cars for himself, his brother, and his father.
13. Yul Kwon
After winning Survivor: Cook Islands, Yul Kwon donated $50,000 of his winnings to a program encouraging Asian-Americans to become bone marrow donors. He was also a correspondent on CNN special Uncovering America, which examined Asian-American issues.
Kwon has opened up a Red Mango yogurt shop in Palo Alto, California. In addition, he co-founded the Asian Political Leadership Fund in order to encourage Asian-Americans to enter politics. Kwon was also involved in campaigning for President Obama, and says that he may enter politics in the future.
Kwon recently married Sophie Tan, the associate director of the Asian Pacific Fund.
14. Earl Cole
After winning Survivor: Fiji, Earl Cole founded an entertainment production company called A-Frame Studios (which is looking to produce reality shows), as well as an Internet company called Wondertwin Technology. He also started the Earl Cole Foundation, which raises money to help fight for Perthes disease, a bone disease that he himself suffered from as a child.
In his spare time, Cole has enjoyed traveling across the world, and has now been to over 30 countries, including a return trip to Fiji.
15. Todd Herzog
Although it’s been two years since he competed in and won Survivor: China, Todd Herzog still has a parasite that he picked up while filming the show.
Like many other Survivor winners, he has used his money to travel and see the world. He has also gone back to school to become a hairstylist.
Herzog has been dating Survivor: Tocantins contestant Spencer Duhm since March 2009.
16. Parvati Shallow
Survivor: Fans vs. Favorites winner Parvati Shallow admits she’s spent very little of her winnings, although she did recently take a trip across South America. Shallow remains dedicated to Knockouts for Girls, a charity she co-founded prior to her appearance on Fans vs. Favorites. She donated $50,000 of her winnings to the organization.
17. Bob Crowley
Since winning Survivor Gabon in December 2008, Bob Crowley returned to his job as a high school physics teacher in Portland, Maine. He is most looking forward to being able to travel with his wife Peggy. They plan to visit Gabon again together, this time as tourists.
18. James “JT” Thomas, Jr.
Since winning Survivor: Tocantins in May 2009, JT Thomas has returned to his job as a Black Angus cattle rancher. He plans to invest the money and set up college funds for his nieces and nephews.
Click here to catch up with the first nine Survivor winners.
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