For over 20 years, “Survivor” has been a staple of primetime television. The concept of the game is a simple one: outlast the other contestants, survive the elements and convince your fellow contestants who you voted out why you deserve one million dollars.
Throughout the show's history there have been multiple strategies to win the game. Some go big and flashy, while others prefer to be under the radar. Out of 590 contestants, 38 of them have won the title of sole survivor.
Out of those 590 contestants, who is the greatest? A few honorable mentions who just missed the top five include Jeremy Collins, Tyson Apostol and Natalie Anderson. The metaphorical votes have been cast and the tribe has spoken: these are the five greatest “Survivor” contestants of all time.
5. Sarah Lacina - Lacina is one of the best social players the game has ever seen. She has made the merge in each of her three appearances on the show, peaking in season 34, “Survivor: Game Changers,” where she was crowned sole survivor, receiving seven of ten votes. Through her personal relationships, she was strategically able to control the game. Despite the fact that she backstabbed some of those who she voted out, the jury didn’t feel bitter to her.
4. Sandra Diaz-Twine – She is the queen of “Survivor” and one of only two players to have won “Survivor” twice. Diaz-Twine first won in season six, “Survivor: Pearl Islands,” through the strategy of “anybody as long as it ain’t me.” She was able to position herself as a strategic ally to those around her without offending any of the jury, resulting in her receiving six of seven jury votes. Diaz-Twine was crowned sole survivor for a second time in season 20 “Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains.” She downplayed her threat level throughout the game, while employing the same strategy of anyone other than herself. She didn’t offend any of the jury members, resulting in her receiving six of the nine votes and being crowned sole survivor for a second time.
3. Rob Mariano, or Boston Rob – He is the godfather of “Survivor,” and the man who is identified by a single hat. Mariano holds the record for most seasons played—five—and most days played of “Survivor”—152. Mariano could easily have won season “Survivor: All-Stars,” losing to his future wife, Amber, by a single vote 4-3. Amber did accept his proposal during the live finale, however, so all was not lost for Mariano. His crowning achievement was his strategic domination in season 22, “Survivor: Redemption Island.” Mariano controlled the game from start to finish, getting rid of anyone who thought to depose him as the tribe leader. The jury appreciated his strategic excellence, awarding him eight of the nine jury votes.
2. Parvati Shallow – As one of the biggest villains of all time, Shallow was able to combine social and strategic, perhaps better than anyone in “Survivor” history. She has used the art of flirtation better than anyone before or since; when combined with her ability to deceive, it makes her lethal. In season 16, “Survivor: Fans vs. Favorites,” at the head of the black widow brigade, Shallow led the all-female alliance throughout the game. The alliance’s highest moment was convincing Erik Reichenbach to give up his individual immunity and voting him out that same night.
1. Tony Vlachos – As the king of “Survivor,” Vlachos finds himself at the top of the greatest “Survivor” contestants of all time. Vlachos began ascent into “Survivor” history with his win in season 28, “Survivor: Cagayan,” receiving nine out of ten jury votes. With his chaotic gameplay, he ran circles around his tribemate while finding three idols in the game. Vlachos was able to keep his followers loyal to him, despite blindsiding some of his own allies throughout the game. Vlachos also returned to win season 40, “Winners at War.” While downplaying his threat level, he was able to lead votes and strategically control. Being one of the biggest targets in the game, Vlachos’ social game got him to the merge so he could control the game post game. Vlachos received 12 of 16 jury votes to crown him sole survivor in a season of all winners. Winning Survivor twice in convincing fashion both ways, one of which was against an all-winner cast, easily makes him the greatest Survivor contestant of all time.