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Sandra Diaz-Twine is the Sole Survivor of Survivor: Pearl Islands and Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains, being the first two-time winner in Survivor history. She later competed on Survivor: Game Changers, Survivor: Winners at War, and Australian Survivor: Blood v Water, and returned as a mentor in Survivor: Island of the Idols.

Initially viewed as a liability by her tribemates for her strong personality and unbecoming performances in physical challenges, Sandra compensated with her cunning wit and social awareness. Her ability to persuade others to eliminate bigger threats than her allowed her to reach the Final Tribal Council and win the game twice.

As a master of low-profile, socially savvy, and self-preserving gameplay, Sandra is widely considered one of the legends of the game.

Profile[]

Retrieved from CBS.com

Born in Stamford, Connecticut, Sandra Diaz-Twine currently lives in Ft. Lewis, Washington with her husband, Marcus, and their two children, Tatiana, 8, and Alanna, 6. She is employed as a senior office associate with the Army and Air force Exchange Service. Prior to her current employment, she served as a chemical repair specialist with the United States Army. She also previously worked in the mailroom of the Army and Air Force Exchange Service and in customer service at a clothing store. Her favorite hobbies are fishing and camping. She describes herself as adventurous, dedicated and a team player. She is most proud of having graduated from community college where she received an Associates Degree in Business Administration from Fayetteville Community College in North Carolina. Her favorite sport is volleyball. Her mother is her hero because she has always been committed to and made sacrifices for her children. She thinks her mother is the bravest, kindest, most loving person and an inspiration. She believes she's a contender for Survivor: Pearl Islands because of her ability to improvise and feels her small knowledge of hunting will be an asset to the tribe. She also thinks she's a good provider and possesses good field skills. Her birth date is July 30, 1974.[1]

Sandra Diaz-Twine (34)

Tribe: Villains
Hometown: Stamford, Conn.
Current Residence: Fayetteville, N.C.
Personal Claim To Fame: "Graduating from community college where I received an Associate's Degree in Business Administration."
Inspiration in Life: "My mother."
Previous Finishes: Pearl Islands: Winner
Favorite Past Moment: "When I dumped the fish after Rupert got voted out."
Previous Survivor She Respects Most: "I have no comment."
Previous Survivor She Respects Least: Jonny Fairplay (Pearl Islands, Micronesia)

Why Did She Come Back? : "Hands down, the money!"[2]

Age: 41
Hometown: Fayetteville, NC
Previously played on:
Season 7: Pearl Islands, Winner
Season 20: Heroes vs. Villains, Winner
How have you changed since the last time you played? I've gotten older and fatter.
What skills do you bring to Survivor that will make you a useful member of the group and what skills have you been learning since you last played? My ability to get to the end no matter what the situation and being straightforward. I won't apologize for anything I do.
What are you most proud of from the last time? Winning again.
What, if anything, do you most regret? No regrets, period!

How will you play differently this time? I have no choice but to be a more aggressive-sneaky-mean-lying-and-cheating Sandra.[3]

Age: 45
Previous seasons of Survivor: Pearl Islands (winner), Heroes vs. Villains (winner), Game Changers
What specific accomplishments do you think ultimately earned you the moniker of "Idol" when it comes to Survivor? This is probably the easiest question to answer. I am considered an Idol because I am the only castaway to ever win the game twice and to this day that has never happened again. I won the first season I ever appeared on back in 2003 and also won the second season I ever appeared on back in 2010. I'm not an Idol because I say I'm an Idol, but because my record proves it. Nine years ago and 19 seasons ago I became known as the Queen, and to this day no one has ever come close to tying my record.
What do you think you can teach the new castaways to help them become Sole Survivor? I'm an open book when it comes to the seasons I've played in. I plan on sharing all aspects of the game with the castaways. I will be able to discuss situations like being flexible and how to go with the flow when you have no control over what the majority wants to do at a given time. How to build a strong alliance, by trusting people you genuinely like and share common interests with. And that no one is perfect, there's no way to play a perfect game, so when you make a mistake, own it.
What part of the game do you think new castaways usually underestimate? The new castaways underestimate how hard the social part of the game truly is. Hard because there's people you will automatically like and people you will automatically dislike. With those you like, you immediately build a bond and trust, yet there can only be one winner. It's easy to vote off people you dislike, but when all those people are gone, now you have to start voting off the ones you consider friends. And these are the friends that you just blindsided and 100 percent of the time are upset that you voted them off and yet you still have to also convince them to give you the million dollar prize. It's really a juggling act.
How will being a mentor present a different challenge for you than actually competing in the game? Being a mentor is actually easier than playing the game, because you don't have to focus on the daily aspects of Survivor. I know I'm not playing for the million dollars. I know I will not participate in any challenges (hooray). And I know I will never enter the game in some crazy twist. All I have to do is get to know the new players, listen to them carefully, and advise them. In other words, I plan on sharing the knowledge I have gained after playing for 94 consecutive days. I'm going to provide guidance, but at the end of the day each person has to make their own decisions and play their own game.

Given that you're not playing Survivor in the traditional sense, what element of the game are looking forward to NOT having to endure? I'm over the moon knowing I don't have to endure a single challenge the entire season.[4]

Hometown: Stamford, Connecticut
Current residence: Riverview, Florida
Previous seasons: Winner of Survivor: Pearl Islands (Season 7), Winner of Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains (Season 20), Survivor: Game Changers (Season 34), Mentor on Survivor: Island of the Idols (Season 39)
Occupation: Case Manager at Law Firm
Hobbies: Couponing.
Pet peeves: People who can't park inside the lines.
Three words to describe you: Sassy, unapologetic, and loyal.
When did you first watch Survivor? Season 1.
Do you still watch Survivor? Yup.
Who is your inspiration in life? My mother and maternal grandparents.
What does Survivor mean to you and your family? Everything I have is because of Survivor. I'm very grateful.
What is one way playing Survivor changed your life? I'm the only two-time winner.
As Survivor approaches Season 40 and celebrates 20 years on television, what does it mean to be a part of the legacy? It's an honor to have been part of this show!

How will you play differently than you have in your past seasons? I'm gonna switch it up from the usual "as long as it's not me" philosophy.[5]

Sandra, 47, Queen of Survivor, USA

Sandra is a two-time US Survivor winner and now she is ready to take on Australian Survivor and defend her international Survivor throne. Sassy and outspoken and having been a part of US Survivor five times, she is excited to be playing with a family member for the very first time.
While she might be the Queen, Sandra has never played Survivor: Blood V Water and is hoping not to impact Nina's game. Sandra says: "I'm set in my ways but having Nina out there will remind me, 'Sandra, tone it down.' It's a whole different game, it's a whole different place, it's a whole different theme so I can't be the same Sandra as before."
What will be your strength?
My strength on Australian Survivor will be my social game. I can pretty much find something in common with everyone. I can be a good friend to those that are interested in getting to know me.
What will be your weakness?
My weakness has always been my lack of being a physically dominant player at challenges and my reluctance with water challenges, although I can swim.

Survivor[]

Pearl Islands[]

Main article: Sandra Diaz-Twine/Pearl Islands

Episode Tribe
Affiliation
Challenge Challenge Type Sit-Out? Result
1 Drake Cannon Carry Immunity No Won
2 Bountiful Chest Reward Yes Won
All Tied Up Immunity No Won
3 Sprung A Leak Reward No Won
Pull Your Weight Immunity No Won
4 Float-It Notes Reward No Won
Boarding Party Immunity No Lost
5 Paddle For Paddles Reward No Lost
Survivor Smoothie Immunity No Lost
6 Ready, Aim, Fire Reward No Won
Shoulder the Load Immunity Yes Lost
7 Pirate Prison Break Immunity No Lost
Tribes Merged, Day 20
8 Balboa Keel Hauling Immunity Lost
9 Signal Fire Reward Lost
Mixed Nuts Immunity Lost
10 Rats In The Rigging Reward Lost
Killer Immunity Lost
11 Loved Ones Overboard Reward Lost
What Do You Make Of This? Immunity Lost
12 Water Obstacle Course Reward Lost
Musket Love Immunity Lost
13 Let's Give It Another Go, Mate Reward Lost
Corks And Keys Immunity Lost
14 Tribal Draft Immunity Lost
Set Adrift Immunity Lost
Sole Survivor, Day 39

Episode Sandra's
Votes
Voted Against
Sandra
1 Drake Tribe Immune
2 Drake Tribe Immune
3 Drake Tribe Immune
4 Burton -
5 Michelle -
6 Trish -
7 Shawn -
8 Andrew -
9 Ryan O. -
10 Jon -
11 Tijuana -
12 Lillian -
13 Burton -
14 Darrah -
Ineligible -
Jury Votes
for Sandra
Burton, Christa, Darrah,
Jon, Rupert, Ryan O.
Sole Survivor, Day 39

Heroes vs. Villains[]

Main article: Sandra Diaz-Twine/Heroes vs. Villains

Episode Tribe
Affiliation
Challenge Challenge Type Sit-Out? Result
1 Villains Battle Dig Reward No Lost
Lock, Load and Light Immunity No Won
2 A Crate Idea Reward/Immunity No Won
3 Sumo in Mud Reward/Immunity Yes Lost
4 Slip, Slide & Score Reward No Won
Roll With It Immunity Yes Won
5 Schmergen Brawl Reward Yes Won
Blind Cube Crisis Immunity No Won
6 Rope-a-Dope1 Immunity No Lost
Reward Yes Won
7 Basket Brawl Reward Yes Lost
Caught in the Web Immunity No Lost
8 Fauxconut Bowling Reward Yes Lost
Mud Slide Immunity No Lost
9 Chimney Sweep Reward No Won
Strung Out Immunity Yes Lost
Tribes Merged, Day 25
10 Yin Yang Get a Grip Immunity Lost
11 Pacific Shuffle Reward Lost
House of Cards Immunity Lost
12 When It Rains, It Pours Immunity Lost
Pegatory Knockout Immunity Lost
13 Pass the Bucket Reward Invited
Keep It Up Immunity Lost
14 Offer It Up Immunity Lost
Blind Maze Immunity Lost
Sole Survivor, Day 39
Notes:
^1 The tribes competed in separate individual Immunity Challenges where the winners from both tribes competed against each other for tribal reward.

Episode Sandra's
Votes
Voted Against
Sandra
1 Villains Tribe Immune
2 Villains Tribe Immune
3 Randy -
4 Villains Tribe Immune
5 Villains Tribe Immune
6 Russell -
7 Russell -
8 Coach -
9 Courtney -
10 J.T. -1
11 Amanda -
12 Candice -
Rupert -
13 Rupert Colby, Rupert2
14 Colby Colby
Jerri -
Jury Votes
for Sandra
Amanda, Candice, Colby,
Courtney, J.T., Rupert
Sole Survivor, Day 39

^1 In "Going Down in Flames", Sandra used a Hidden Immunity Idol, but did not negate any votes against her.
^2 In "Loose Lips Sink Ships", Sandra used a Hidden Immunity Idol, negating 2 votes against her.

Game Changers[]

Main article: Sandra Diaz-Twine/Game Changers

Episode Tribe
Affiliation
Challenge Challenge Type Sit-Out? Result
1 Mana The Marooning Reward No Lost
Blue Lagoon Bustle Reward/Immunity No Lost
Serpent Turf Reward/Immunity No Lost
Switched Tribes, Day 7
2 Nuku Austin's Elemental Obstacle Course Reward/Immunity No 1st
3 Ram-Ball On Reward Yes 1st
Ow-Pairs Immunity Yes Lost
4 Unchained Medley Reward No 2nd
Box Car Blues Immunity No Lost
5 Cargo Salvage Immunity No Lost
Voted Out, Day 16

Episode Sandra's
Votes
Voted Against
Sandra
1 Ciera -
Aubry -
2 Nuku Tribe Immune
3 Sierra1 -
4 J.T. -
5 Tai Andrea, Ozzy,
Sarah, Tai, Zeke
Voted Out, Day 16

^1 In "The Tables Have Turned", Sierra used a Hidden Immunity Idol, negating Sandra's vote against her.

Island of the Idols[]

Main article: Island of the Idols (twist)

Sandra returned to Survivor for its 39th season not as a contestant, but as a mentor along with fellow winner Rob Mariano to the actual contestants. They lived on the titular Island of the Idols where they tested selected survivors on camp life, game mindset and strategy, after which they will challenge them for a chance to win a game advantage. The mentors lived similarly to the survivors, living with meager rations, though significantly more than the survivors. Sandra and Rob also attended Tribal Council in secret through a tower. They left on Day 37, but not without introducing themselves to the remaining survivors. The mentors also willed the Island of the Idols camp to them, which hid the final Hidden Immunity Idol of the season.

Winners at War[]

Main article: Sandra Diaz-Twine/Winners at War

Episode Tribe
Affiliation
Challenge Challenge Type Sit-Out? Result
1 Dakal Marooning Reward/Immunity No Won
Blue Lagoon Bustle Immunity Yes Lost
2 Draggin' the Dragon Reward/Immunity No Won
3 Along the Watch Tower Reward/Immunity Yes Won
4 Beyond the Wheel Reward/Immunity Yes Lost
5 Block in a Hard Place Immunity No 2nd
6 Rice Race Reward/Immunity Yes Lost
Voted Out, Day 16
Quit, Day 16

Episode Sandra's
Votes
Voted Against
Sandra
1 Dakal Tribe Immune
Amber -
2 Dakal Tribe Immune
3 Dakal Tribe Immune
4 Tyson -
5 Dakal Tribe Immune
6 Denise1 Denise
Voted Out, Day 16
7 On Edge of Extinction
Quit, Day 16

^1 In "Quick on the Draw", Denise used a Hidden Immunity Idol, negating Sandra's vote against her.

Australian Survivor: Blood v Water[]

Main article: Sandra Diaz-Twine/Australian Survivor: Blood v Water

Episode Tribe
Affiliation
Challenge Challenge Type Sit-Out? Result
1 Blood Water Slaughter Reward No Lost
Gatecrasher Immunity No Won
2 (No title) Reward No Lost
Yank Your Hank Immunity No Won
3 (No title) Reward Yes Won
A Bit Tipsy Immunity No Lost
4 In the Trenches Reward No Won
Boats, Brains & Brawn Immunity No Lost
5 Sumo at Sea Reward No Lost
(No title) Immunity No Won
6 By Any Means Necessary Reward No Lost
Free Fallin' Immunity No Lost
7 Boats Tug of War Reward No Lost
Puppet Master Immunity No Lost
Voted Out, Day 16

Episode Sandra's
Votes
Voted Against
Sandra
1 Blood Tribe Immune
2 Blood Tribe Immune
3 David1 Sam
4 Mock Vote2
5 Blood Tribe Immune
6 Amy3 Amy, David, Jay
7 David Amy, David, Jordan, Jordie,
Josh, Mark, Mel, Nina, Shay
Voted Out, Day 16

^1 In Episode 3, David used a Hidden Immunity Idol, negating Sandra's vote against him.
^2 In Episode 4, the Blood tribe was subjected to a mock Tribal Council where the player they voted out was switched to the other tribe.
^3 In Episode 6, Amy used a Hidden Immunity Idol, negating Sandra's vote against her.

Post-Survivor[]

TheTraitors US2 Sandra Diaz-Twine

Sandra's promotional image for the second season of The Traitors.

Trivia[]

Franchise[]

  • Sandra is first of six contestants to win two seasons. She would be followed by Turabi Çamkıran, Clémence Castel, Tony Vlachos, Sakis Katsoulis, and Pablo Martí.
  • All of Sandra's seasons as a returning/imported player had red and blue starting tribes with her starting tribe being the red tribe all of those times.
  • Including international versions, Sandra is the first female and second person overall to play 5 times and be on a season in one way or another 6 times, following Boston Rob.
  • Sandra ended all her voting confessionals with "Adiós".
  • All three times Sandra was eliminated:
  • Sandra is the first winner who later competed on an international version of Survivor.

Survivor (U.S.)[]

  • Sandra celebrated her 29th birthday on Day 38 of Pearl Islands.
  • Sandra was the first Latin American castaway to make it to Final Tribal Council and subsequently, the first Latin American winner. In the latter category, she would be followed by Chris Underwood, Yam Yam Arocho and Dee Valladares.
  • Sandra is the first castaway to successfully vote out the same person twice in the same season.
  • Sandra is the only castaway to never receive a vote against her in Pearl Islands.
  • Sandra was the first Sole Survivor to not win any individual challenge even indirectly, as Tina Wesson's family won the Loved Ones Challenge in The Australian Outback for her.
  • Sandra was invited back for All-Stars but declined because she was still recovering from parasites that she got while filming Pearl Islands.[10]
  • Sandra is the first woman to play a Hidden Immunity Idol during a season and go on to win that season.
  • Both times Sandra reached the Final Tribal Council, she received six votes to win.
    • Sandra holds the record for the most jury votes received for any female contestant, with 12.
    • Sandra has the second-most jury votes received overall in her Survivor career, following Tony Vlachos.
    • Both times, one of the jury votes was from Rupert Boneham.
  • Sandra was considered for Blood vs. Water with her daughter as her partner. However, they were cut,[11] though they would later appear on a Blood vs. Water-themed season in Australian Survivor.
  • Sandra is the only castaway to be the highest-placing previous winner in two different seasons:
  • Sandra is the oldest woman on the original Mana and original Dakal tribes.
  • Sandra is the first castaway to purchase an item with a Fire Token.
  • Sandra, J.T. Thomas, Kim Spradlin-Wolfe, and Russell Hantz are the only castaways to attend both a Double Tribal Council and a Joint Tribal Council.
  • Sandra is the second person to be voted out with only one vote cast against her during an entire season, following Terry Deitz in Panama.
  • Sandra is the second person to be eliminated by a single vote, excluding 1-0 votes at a three-person Day 38 Tribal Council, after Lauren Rimmer in Heroes vs. Healers vs. Hustlers.
  • Sandra lasted the shortest amount of time on the Edge of Extinction, remaining there for only a few hours.
    • Sandra is currently the only person to leave the Edge of Extinction without participating in a re-entry duel first.
  • Despite playing four times, Sandra never served on the jury. She won Pearl Islands and Heroes vs. Villains and was voted out pre-jury in Game Changers and Winners at War, and left before the jury phase began in Winners at War.
  • Both times Sandra lost:
    • The eventual Sole Survivor was a returning player from the original Aparri tribe in Cagayan.
    • A tribe switch occurred and she was voted out on Day 16.
      • In that tribe switch, the eventual Sole Survivor was part of Sandra's new tribe.
  • Sandra holds the record for surviving the most consecutive days on Survivor without receiving a vote. She received her first vote on her 75th day of playing the game.
    • Coincidentally, her daughter, Nina, holds the same record in the Australian version.

Australian Survivor[]

  • Sandra is the second Survivor contestant imported to Australian Survivor, following Russell Hantz.
  • Sandra is the oldest woman to compete on Blood v Water.

References[]

Preceded by
The Amazon
S6 jenna t
Jenna Morasca
Sole Survivor Titleholder
Pearl Islands
S7 sandra t
Sandra Diaz-Twine
Succeeded by
All-Stars
S8 amber t
Amber Brkich
Preceded by
Samoa
S19 natalie t
Natalie White
Sole Survivor Titleholder
Heroes vs. Villains
S20 sandra t
Sandra Diaz-Twine
Succeeded by
Nicaragua
S21 fabio t
Fabio Birza
Survivor: Pearl Islands Castaways
 Andrew
Morgan
S7 andrew t
 Burton
Drake
S7 burton t
 Christa
Drake
S7 christa t
 Darrah
Morgan
S7 darrah t
 Jon
Drake
S7 jon t
 Lillian
Morgan
S7 lillian t
 Michelle
Drake
S7 michelle t
 Nicole
Morgan
S7 nicole t
 Osten
Morgan
S7 osten t
 Rupert
Drake
S7 rupert t
 Ryan O.
Morgan
S7 ryano t
 Ryan S.
Morgan
S7 ryans t
 Sandra
Drake
S7 sandra t
 Shawn
Drake
S7 shawn t
 Tijuana
Morgan
S7 tijuana t
 Trish
Drake
S7 trish t
Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains Castaways
 Amanda
Heroes
S20 amanda t
 Candice
Heroes
S20 candice t
 Cirie
Heroes
S20 cirie t
 Coach
Villains
S20 coach t
 Colby
Heroes
S20 colby t
 Courtney
Villains
S20 courtney t
 Danielle
Villains
S20 danielle t
 J.T.
Heroes
S20 jt t
 James
Heroes
S20 james t
 Jerri
Villains
S20 jerri t
 Parvati
Villains
S20 parvati t
 Randy
Villains
S20 randy t
 Rob
Villains
S20 rob t
 Rupert
Heroes
S20 rupert t
 Russell
Villains
S20 russell t
 Sandra
Villains
S20 sandra t
 Stephenie
Heroes
S20 stephenie t
 Sugar
Heroes
S20 sugar t
 Tom
Heroes
S20 tom t
 Tyson
Villains
S20 tyson t
Survivor: Game Changers Castaways
 Andrea
Nuku
S34 andrea t
 Aubry
Mana
S34 aubry t
 Brad
Nuku
S34 brad t
 Caleb
Mana
S34 caleb t
 Ciera
Mana
S34 ciera t
 Cirie
Nuku
S34 cirie t
 Debbie
Nuku
S34 debbie t
 Hali
Mana
S34 hali t
 J.T.
Nuku
S34 jt t
 Jeff
Mana
S34 jeff t
 Malcolm
Mana
S34 malcolm t
 Michaela
Mana
S34 michaela t
 Ozzy
Nuku
S34 ozzy t
 Sandra
Mana
S34 sandra t
 Sarah
Nuku
S34 sarah t
 Sierra
Nuku
S34 sierra t
 Tai
Nuku
S34 tai t
 Tony
Mana
S34 tony t
 Troyzan
Mana
S34 troyzan t
 Zeke
Nuku
S34 zeke t
Survivor: Winners at War Castaways
 Adam
Sele
S40 adam t
 Amber
Dakal
S40 amber t
 Ben
Sele
S40 ben t
 Danni
Sele
S40 danni t
 Denise
Sele
S40 denise t
 Ethan
Sele
S40 ethan t
 Jeremy
Sele
S40 jeremy t
 Kim
Dakal
S40 kim t
 Michele
Sele
S40 michele t
 Natalie
Sele
S40 natalie t
 Nick
Dakal
S40 nick t
 Parvati
Sele
S40 parvati t
 Rob
Sele
S40 rob t
 Sandra
Dakal
S40 sandra t
 Sarah
Dakal
S40 sarah t
 Sophie
Dakal
S40 sophie t
 Tony
Dakal
S40 tony t
 Tyson
Dakal
S40 tyson t
 Wendell
Dakal
S40 wendell t
 Yul
Dakal
S40 yul t
Australian Survivor: Blood v Water Castaways
 Alex
Water
AUS9 alex t
 Amy
Blood
AUS9 amy t
 Andy
Water
AUS9 andy t
 Ben
Blood
AUS9 ben t
 Briana
Water
AUS9 briana t
 Chrissy
Water
AUS9 chrissy t
 Croc
Blood
AUS9 croc t
 David
Blood
AUS9 david t
 Jay
Blood
AUS9 jay t
 Jesse
Blood
AUS9 jesse t
 Jordan
Blood
AUS9 jordan t
 Jordie
Water
AUS9 jordie t
 Josh
Water
AUS9 josh t
 Kate
Blood
AUS9 kate t
 Khanh
Water
AUS9 khanh t
 KJ
Water
AUS9 kj t
 Mark
Water
AUS9 mark t
 Mel
Water
AUS9 mel t
 Michelle
Blood
AUS9 michelle t
 Nina
Water
AUS9 nina t
 Sam
Blood
AUS9 sam t
 Sandra
Blood
AUS9 sandra t
 Shay
Water
AUS9 shay t
 Sophie
Blood
AUS9 sophie t
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