Sonja Christopher, who starred on Survivor season 1, has died at the age of 87. She gave “so much spunk and love” to the gruelling original series, and was paid tribute to by a current show star.
Liz Wilcox, who stars in the current season 46 of Survivor, posted the sad news on X. She met Sonja Christopher over Christmas and shared a photo of the two talking on FaceTime on her account.
Survivor’s Sonja Christopher dies
Sonja Christopher has died at age 87, years after she launched to fame on CBS show Survivor. She competed on Survivor: Borneo in 2000 and became the first to be eliminated from the show.
The musician, from Walnut Creek, California, was well-liked by her tribe mates. Three years before the show, Sonja was diagnosed with invasive breast cancer, and after treatment, resumed to a healthy life.
Before retiring, Sonja worked as an investment counsellor, tennis teacher and elementary school teacher. She was also a music therapist, playing the banjo as she led sing-alongs at Alzheimer’s centers.
Current star pays tribute to Sonja
Season 46 star, Liz Wilcox, wrote a tribute to Sonja. She wrote, “Today, the legend herself Sonja Christopher of Season One passed away. I had the pleasure of meeting her on Christmas.”
The star added, “She had so much spunk + love for Survivor and what the show brought to her life. I hope you’re singing + playing your heart out somewhere beautiful, Sonja.”
Wilcox said people shouldn’t send flowers, but advised donations to Mt. Diablo Unitarian Universalist Church in Walnut Creek, California, the Cancer Support Community in SF, or the Sjogren’s Foundation.
Looking back at Sonja on season 1
Sonja made history as the first Survivor star to be voted out on season 1. She was voted out after several missteps led to her team losing that first week, even though she was well-liked.
Her continuous stumbling in the first Immunity Challenge caused Tagi to lose. At the first Tribal Council, Sonja was voted out after being viewed as the tribe’s weakest member, with four votes against her.
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