How Many Women Have Won ‘Survivor’? Female Winners Over the Years and How They Compare to the Men

After more than 40 seasons, it’s been proven that just about any type of person can win Survivor. From athletes to self-proclaimed nerds and more, the show has produced a variety of winners in its 24-year run.

As Rachel LaMont made a run to win season 47 in 2024, there was a lot of buzz about how how many females have won the game over the years. While there are more male winners than female winners, there have still been plenty of women who’ve dominated the game.

How Many Women Have Won ‘Survivor’?

After 46 seasons of Survivor, 19 of the winners have been women (20 if you count BOTH of Sandra Diaz-Twine’s victories). In comparison, there have been 26 male winners, although Tony Vlachos is also a two-time champion.

Some of Survivor’s female winners are considered to be among the show’s best players of all-time. In addition to Sandra, Parvati Shallow has cemented herself in this group, especially since both women have played the game four times and each made it to the final tribal council twice. Kim Spradlin is also remembered for her dominant gameplay on season 24, with many comparing her performance to that of Rob “Boston Rob” Mariano’s on his winning season.

Which Women Have Won ‘Survivor’?

The first female winner of Survivor was Tina Wesson in season 2. Fans were shocked when Colby Donaldson chose to bring the beloved mother to the final tribal council with him, which ultimately ended with the jury voting for Tina to win.

Vecepia Towery became the next woman to win in season 4 (Marquesas), followed by Jenna Morasca in season 6 (The Amazon). Sandra then secured her first win during season 7 (Pearl Islands), while Amber Brkich beat her now-husband Rob to win season 8 (All-Stars).

Two seasons of male winners followed before Danni Boatwright took home the title of Sole Survivor in season 11 (Guatemala). There wasn’t another female winner until season 16 (Micronesia), when Parvati was victorious after running the game with Amanda Kimmel and Cirie Fields.

Natalie White won season 19 (Samoa) in a controversial victory over Russell Hantz, while Sandra secured her second W in season 20 (Heroes vs. Villains). Fun fact: Parvati actually came in second place that season in another controversial jury vote.

Beginning with season 23 (South Pacific), there was a three-season stretch of female winners. Sophie Clarke won that season, followed by Kim’s victory in season 24 (One World), then Denise Stapley in season 25 (Philippines). Natalie Anderson was then crowned the winner of season 29 (San Juan del Sur).

Michele Fitzgerald finished in first place during season 32 (Kaoh Rong), with another woman, Aubry Bracco, right behind her as the runner-up. Sarah Lacina got her victory on season 34 (Game Changers), but then Survivor was without a woman winning for six seasons. That changed when Erika Casupanan won season 41, followed by Maryanne Oketch in season 42.

There were then back-to-back female winners again in seasons 45 and 46 when Dee Valladares and Kenzie Petty received the majority jury votes on their respective seasons. Rachel LaMont made it a three-peat when she took home the win for season 47, receiving all of the jury votes but one.

Why Have More Men Won ‘Survivor’ Than Women?

Before season 40 of Survivor premiered, Entertainment Weekly pointed out that the amount of male and female winners was much more even within the first 25 seasons, with 13 men and 12 women winning. However, between seasons 26 and 40, 11 of the 14 winners were men. Interestingly, within the new era (seasons 41-46), women have won four out of six times.

“Hidden immunities play a major role in how far people get and how they are judged at final tribal council, and men have found way more of them than their female counterparts,” EW explained. “There have been many theories floated as to why this is, and several female former players have chimed in saying that life around tribe camps often mirrors society in that men often fall into the gender stereotypes and become gatherers (making it easier for them to also search for idols), while the women are expected to stay back and tend to camp (thereby losing opportunities to procure idols).”

While hidden immunity idols were first introduced in season 11, they became a much bigger part of the game as seasons went on. In addition to idols, other advantages have been put into play over the years, but finding them generally requires the same strategies as finding hidden idols.

In the new era, there are still hidden immunity idols hidden at camp, but players have also been able to obtain idols and advantages on “journeys,” which usually involve games of chance or luck, making them a much more even playing field.

Another theory among viewers and former players is “that men are rewarded by both tribemates and juries for playing aggressively, while women are punished for the exact same behavior,” according to Entertainment Weekly.

Host Jeff Probst commented on the disparity in EW’s 2020 piece, admitting, “I did not realize that. Wow. I have zero idea. I need to pay more attention! I wonder if you merely pointing it out will impact the future. I’m serious. Sometimes, that is all it takes.”

Well, in the seven seasons that followed that interview, four of the winners were women, so it’s possible!