Who Won Survivor

After nearly a decade on the air, it’s tough keeping track of who won Survivor.

The popular CBS reality TV show is considered a pioneer in the genre pitting contestants (a.k.a. castaways) against each other in remote locations around the world. During the course of the show, contestants are segregated into tribes and are eliminated via voting that is done by fellow tribe members at “tribal councils.” This process is repeated until a final contestant remains. The person, who can "out last, out smart and out play" the competition, walks away with one million dollars.

The series debuted in 2000, and as of May 2008, 16 seasons have aired with an average viewership of more than 20 million people per episode. A 17th season, Survivor: Gabon began filming in summer 2008 and premiered on TV in September 2008.

Survivor prides itself on finding some of the most exotic, yet isolated spots on the planet to test contestants’ survival skills. Some have noted that the show’s location is what makes or breaks a season. Five continents have been featured on the series so far. Some past locations include:

• Borneo

• Marquesas

• The Amazon

• Pearl Islands

• Thailand

• China

• Cook Islands

• Guatemala

• Palau

• Panama

• Vanuatu

• Fiji

• The Australian Outback

Over the last 16 seasons, 265 different participants have competed on Survivor, of which 30 have appeared on multiple seasons. In 2004, producers created an All-Stars edition comprised of 18 past competitors. The following year also featured former castaways as part of a surprise twist. In that season two contestants from Survivor: Palau were allowed to compete again in Survivor: Guatemala. In addition, Survivor: Micronesia featured an entire tribe of ten former contestants from past seasons, who were pitted against a tribe of ten new contestants.

With so many contestants, competing in so many different seasons, it’s difficult to remember who won Survivor? However, if you are applying to be on the series it helps to review the list of past winners since some of the show's competitions involve having information on former winners.

The following is a list of Survivor winners from each season of the CBS TV show:

The most recognized winner of any Survivor season is Richard Hatch. The 47-year-old won the original Survivor back in 2000. However, instead of sinking quietly into reality TV obscurity, Hatch made headlines when he was arrested for tax evasion. He was convicted on all counts and is currently serving prison time for his crimes.

Tina Wesson was the first woman to win Survivor. Since walking away with her cool million in the Australian Outback, Wesson has retreated to her “normal” life and now spends her days working as a spokesperson for the National Arthritis Foundation. In 2004, Wesson returned to Survivor: All-Stars for another crack at the grand prize, but was voted out at the first tribal council.

Another of the more notable Survivor winners is Jenna Morasca from Survivor: The Amazon. The good-looking brunette parlayed her success on the reality TV show to launch her own career in Hollywood. Since her win, Morasca has appeared as a model in dozens of magazines and has starred in several VH1 specials.

Rounding out the roster of notable Survivor winners is Amber Brkich. Since competing on Survivor: The Australian Outback and winning Survivor: All-Stars, Brkich married Rob Mariano from Survivor: Marquesas and Survivor: All-Stars. The couple’s wedding was televised on CBS in a one-hour special called Rob & Amber Get Married. The pair also competed as a team on CBS' The Amazing Race, and came in second place.

If you think you have what it takes to be a Survivor winner producers encourage you to apply to the show.

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