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Tina Marie Wesson is the Sole Survivor of Survivor: The Australian Outback. She later competed on Survivor: All-Stars and Survivor: Blood vs. Water.

Distinguished as the first woman to win Survivor, Tina leveraged her position as the Ogakor matriarch to help her advance in the game. By forming a tight duo with Colby Donaldson, she was able to convince her ally to bring her to the Final Two against his best interests, thereby securing her the win in The Australian Outback.

After her victory, Tina played two more games, including a brief stint in All-Stars where she was immediately targeted for her status as a former winner, as well as a longer run in Blood vs. Water where she became the last person voted out of the season.

Profile[]

Retrieved from CBS.com

NAME: Tina Wesson
AGE: 40
MARITAL STATUS: Married
OCCUPATION: Nurse
HOMETOWN: Knoxville, Tennessee
LUXURY ITEM: Backgammon Set

Tina Wesson currently works as a private duty C.N.A. nurse while also working as a full-time mom. Formerly, she worked as a community education director, flight attendant, substitute teacher and a swimming instructor. Wesson obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in therapeutic recreation from the University of Tennessee in 1983.

An avid athlete, she is most proud of having completed the Dublin, Ireland Marathon, placed first in the Tennessee State Racquetball Tournament and placed first in her age division in her hometown mini-triathlon, all in the same year (1998). Her quest in life continues to be to "live the life less ordinary."

Wesson describes herself as happy, content, adventurous, outgoing, and very much in love. Her favorite hobbies are racquetball, paddleball, running, swimming, and motorcycling. Her favorite television show is Rosie, while her favorite feature films are Out of Africa and Shadowlands. She prefers classic, contemporary Christian, and pop rock music, citing Match Box 20 as her favorite band.

While rooting for the University of Tennessee Volunteers, she's always game for a round of Balderdash. Her perfect day consists of eating a good breakfast followed by a ride on her motorcycle to the mountains with her husband and her best friend. After a hike, she'd play racquetball, take a shower, have dinner, see a movie while eating a big bag of popcorn and then head home to bed. She's an early riser.

Born and raised in Knoxville, Tennessee, Wesson currently resides there with her husband, Dale, and her two children, Katie and Taylor. She is a member of the Outstanding Young Women of America and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Her birth date is December 26.[1]

Since being declared Sole Survivor of Survivor: The Australian Outback, Tina Wesson has been working as a motivational speaker, which has enabled her to travel around the country encouraging people to do whatever it takes in order to live a fulfilling life. She takes her motto, "It is a mistake to not live all you can!," very seriously. She previously worked as a private duty nurse, a community education director, flight attendant, substitute teacher and a swimming instructor. Tina obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in therapeutic recreation from the University of Tennessee in 1983. An avid athlete, she is most proud of having completed the Dublin, Ireland Marathon, as well as placing first in the Tennessee State Racquetball Tournament and in her age division in her hometown mini-triathlon, all in the same year (1998).

Tina describes herself as happy, content, adventurous, outgoing and very much in love. Her favorite hobbies are racquetball, paddleball, running, swimming and motorcycling. Her favorite television show is Survivor, while her favorite feature films are "Out of Africa" and "Shadowlands." She prefers contemporary Christian and pop rock music, citing Matchbox 20 and John Mayer as her favorite artists. While rooting for the University of Tennessee Volunteers and the Tennessee Titans, she's always game for a round of backgammon. Her perfect day consists of eating a good breakfast followed by a ride on her motorcycle to the mountains with her husband and her best friend. After a hike, she'd play racquetball, take a shower, have dinner, see a movie while eating a big bag of popcorn and then head home to bed. She's an early riser.

Born and raised in Knoxville, Tennessee, Tina currently lives there with her husband, Dale, and her two children, Katie, 16 and Taylor, 15. She is a member of the Outstanding Young Women of America and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Her birth date is December 26, 1961.[2]

Name (Age): Tina Wesson (52)
Tribe Designation: Returning Player
Relationship to Significant Castaway: Katie's Mother
Previous Season: Survivor: Australia – winner; Survivor: All-Stars – non-jury, 1st out
Current Residence: Robbinsville, N.C.
Occupation: Motivational Speaker

Why Did You Want to Return to Survivor and Play with Your Loved One? Survivor gets in your blood. It is a thrill and an honor and a quest to get to play! Then to be able to share the experience with my daughter who happens to also be my best friend, what a gift![3]

Survivor[]

The Australian Outback[]

Main article: Tina Wesson/The Australian Outback

Episode Tribe
Affiliation
Challenge Challenge Type Sit-Out? Result
1 Ogakor Bridging the Gap Reward/Immunity No Won
2 Butch Cassidy Reward No Won
Tucker'd Out Immunity No Lost
3 Water Torture Reward No Won
Lock Step Immunity No Lost
4 Mastermind Reward No Lost
True or Falls Immunity No Lost
5 Triage Reward No Lost
The Maze Immunity No Won
6 Blind Leading the Blind Reward No Lost
Tribes Merged, Day 20
7 Barramundi Perch Immunity Lost
8 Return to Sender Reward Lost
Don't Fence Me In Immunity Lost
10 Double Play Reward Lost
Hanging in the Balance Immunity Lost
11 Survivor Auction
Fire and Water Immunity Lost
12 End of the Line Reward Lost
Blue Plate Special Immunity Lost
13 Survivor.com Reward Won
Fugitives Immunity Lost
14 Survivor Pentathlon Reward Lost
Memory Immunity Lost
15 Fallen Comrades Immunity Lost
Sole Survivor, Day 42

Episode Tina's
Votes
Voted Against
Tina
1 Ogakor Tribe Immune
2 Kel -
3 Maralyn -
4 Mitchell;
Mitchell1
-
5 Ogakor Tribe Immune
6 No Tribal Council
7 Jeff;
Jeff2
-
8 Alicia -
10 Jerri -
11 Nick -
12 Amber -
13 Rodger -
14 Elisabeth -
15 Ineligible -
Jury Votes
for Tina
Alicia, Elisabeth,
Jerri, Keith
Sole Survivor, Day 42

^1 In "The Killing Fields", the vote ended with a 3-3 tie between Keith and Mitchell, forcing a revote. Tina did not change her vote on the revote.
^2 In "The Merge", the vote ended with a 5-5 tie between Colby and Jeff, forcing a revote. Tina did not change her vote on the revote.

All-Stars[]

Main article: Tina Wesson/All-Stars

Episode Tribe
Affiliation
Challenge Challenge Type Sit-Out? Result
1 Saboga Quest for Fire Immunity No Lost
Voted Out, Day 3

Episode Tina's
Votes
Votes Against
Tina
1 Jenna L. Jenna L., Jerri,
Rudy, Rupert
Voted Out, Day 3

Blood vs. Water[]

Main article: Tina Wesson/Blood vs. Water

Episode Tribe
Affiliation
Challenge Challenge Type Sit-Out? Result
1 Galang Blue Lagoon Bustle Reward/Immunity No Won
2 In the Barrel Reward/Immunity No Won
3 Sumo at Sea Reward/Immunity No Won
4 Boats, Brains & Brawn Reward/Immunity Yes Won
5 Slide Show Reward/Immunity No Lost
6 Buoy Oh Buoy Reward/Immunity No Lost
7 Chain Reaction Reward/Immunity No Lost
Tribes Merged, Day 19
8 Kasama Flashback Immunity Lost
9 Pesky Palate Immunity Lost
Balancing Point Immunity Lost
Voted Out, Day 24
10 Kasama Puppet Master Duel 2nd
11 Block It Out 2nd
12 House of Cards 2nd
13 Jail Break 2nd
14 A Leg Up Won
Returned, Day 36
14 Kasama A Bit Tipsy Immunity Lost
Rise to It Immunity Lost
Voted Out, Day 38

Episode Tina's
Votes
Voted Against
Tina
1 Candice -
Galang Tribe Immune
2 Galang Tribe Immune
3 Galang Tribe Immune
4 Galang Tribe Immune
5 Laura M. -
6 Kat -
7 Laura B. -
8 Ciera -
9 Vytas -
Tyson Caleb, Ciera, Hayden,
Gervase, Laura M., Monica, Tyson
Voted Out, Day 24
10 On Redemption Island
11
12
13
14
Returned, Day 36
14 Gervase1 -
Gervase Gervase, Monica, Tyson
Voted Out, Day 38
Voted for
Sole Survivor
Tyson

^1 In "It's My Night", Gervase used a Hidden Immunity Idol, negating Tina's vote against him.

Post-Survivor[]

Tina's book

Tina's book.

  • In May 2001, Tina was featured as a panelist on Hollywood Squares along with the other The Australian Outback castaways for Survivor Week. Tina appeared in three episodes, two as an individual[4][5] and one where she was paired with Maralyn Hershey.[6]
  • In 2001, Tina also graced the cover of the July–August issue of Racquetball magazine.[7]
  • On January 6, 2002, Tina, along with Gervase Peterson, appeared on a celebrity edition of The Weakest Link.[8] She was the fourth one voted out,[9] but did receive the house minimum of $10,000 for her charity.
  • On January 10, 2002, Tina was seen in the audience at the Africa Reunion Show, sitting beside Borneo castaway Rudy Boesch.
  • Tina recruited her family friends Hope & Norm Davis to compete on the second season of The Amazing Race.[10]
  • On May 19, 2002, Tina, along with Africa winner Ethan Zohn, appeared live going into commercial break chatting with Rosie O'Donnell during the Marquesas finale episode "The Sole Survivor". Rosie asked Tina who she thought would win Marquesas, and Tina said Neleh Dennis would win while Ethan said Vecepia Towery would win.
  • Tina wrote an inspirational book entitled, "Out Live, Out Laugh, Out Love". that was published in 2006.[11]
  • In the summer of 2009, Tina, along with the other first eighteen Survivor winners, appeared on a TVGuide special "Survivor Millionaires: Where Are They Now?"[12]
  • On December 3, 2013, Tina's son, Taylor Lee Collins, died in a car accident.[13]
  • Tina, along with eight other former castaways competed on a Survivor edition of The Price Is Right primetime special that aired on May 23, 2016.[14] Tina and her partner, Donna, did not make it up on stage.
  • Tina was inducted to the Survivor Hall of Fame on December 13, 2016.[15]

Trivia[]

  • Tina's luxury item in The Australian Outback was a backgammon board.
  • Tina is the first castaway to make it to the Final Tribal Council without winning individual immunity and subsequently the first castaway to win Survivor without winning individual immunity.
  • Tina is the first eventual Sole Survivor to never receive an elimination vote against her at Tribal Council.
  • Tina is the first finalist to have every castaway they voted against at Tribal Council be voted out.
  • Tina currently owns the Barramundi tribe flag after a deal with Colby Donaldson that whoever won would have the right to own the flag. She claims that it still smelled as it did during the game.
  • As revealed at the Reunion Show, Tina was originally an alternate for The Australian Outback, and was called to the show only a week before filming began.[16]
  • Tina is the first castaway to be voted out as a returning player.
    • By extent, Tina is the first Sole Survivor to be voted out in a subsequent attempt.
  • Tina is the first contestant to finish in 18th place in a season of Survivor.
  • Tina is the second contestant, after Francesca Hogi, to return for a later season after finishing in last place in a prior season, returning for Blood vs. Water after finishing in last in All-Stars.
  • Tina is the oldest castaway in Blood vs. Water.
  • Tina, along with Colby Donaldson, Amber Mariano, Coach Wade, Jerri Manthey, Ethan Zohn, Rob Mariano, and Rupert Boneham are the only castaways to compete in seasons with 16, 18, and 20 castaways.
  • Tina is the only castaway to play in multiple seasons of Survivor that are longer than 39 days.
  • Tina is the first castaway to return twice after winning a season.
  • Tina is third winner to become a member of the jury on a subsequent attempt. She followed J.T. Thomas and fellow Blood vs. Water castaway Aras Baskauskas. Tina is also the only former winner to return from Redemption Island.
  • Tina has only received elimination votes at Tribal Councils where she was voted out.
  • Tina lost 18 lbs. during her time in Blood vs. Water.[17]
  • Tina is one of the eight castaways who have experienced all the phases of all the game, being voted out pre-merge, post-merge, and making it to the Final Tribal Council. She was voted out pre-merge in All-Stars, post-merge in Blood vs. Water, and made it to Final Tribal Council in The Australian Outback. Her fellow The Australian Outback finalist Colby Donaldson, J.T. Thomas, Rob Mariano, Aubry Bracco, Parvati Shallow, Stephenie LaGrossa, and Tyson Apostol are the others.
  • Tina is one of six returning players who has competed on at least three seasons but has never won an individual Immunity Challenge. The others are Cirie Fields, James Clement, Jeff Varner, Sandra Diaz-Twine, and Sarah Lacina.

References[]

Preceded by
Borneo
S1 richard t
Richard Hatch
Sole Survivor Titleholder
The Australian Outback
S2 tina t
Tina Wesson
Succeeded by
Africa
S3 ethan t
Ethan Zohn
Survivor: The Australian Outback Castaways
 Alicia
Kucha
S2 alicia t
 Amber
Ogakor
S2 amber t
 Colby
Ogakor
S2 colby t
 Debb
Kucha
S2 debb t
 Elisabeth
Kucha
S2 elisabeth t
 Jeff
Kucha
S2 jeff t
 Jerri
Ogakor
S2 jerri t
 Keith
Ogakor
S2 keith t
 Kel
Ogakor
S2 kel t
 Kimmi
Kucha
S2 kimmi t
 Maralyn
Ogakor
S2 maralyn t
 Michael
Kucha
S2 michael t
 Mitchell
Ogakor
S2 mitchell t
 Nick
Kucha
S2 nick t
 Rodger
Kucha
S2 rodger t
 Tina
Ogakor
S2 tina t
Survivor: All-Stars Castaways
 Alicia
Chapera
S8 alicia t
 Amber
Chapera
S8 amber t
 Colby
Mogo Mogo
S8 colby t
 Ethan
Saboga
S8 ethan t
 Jenna L.
Saboga
S8 jennal t
 Jenna M.
Mogo Mogo
S8 jennam t
 Jerri
Saboga
S8 jerri t
 Kathy
Mogo Mogo
S8 kathy t
 Lex
Mogo Mogo
S8 lex t
 Richard
Mogo Mogo
S8 richard t
 Rob C.
Chapera
S8 robc t
 Rob M.
Chapera
S8 robm t
 Rudy
Saboga
S8 rudy t
 Rupert
Saboga
S8 rupert t
 Shii Ann
Mogo Mogo
S8 shiiann t
 Susan
Chapera
S8 susan t
 Tina
Saboga
S8 tina t
 Tom
Chapera
S8 tom t
Survivor: Blood vs. Water Castaways
 Aras
Galang
S27 aras t
 Brad
Tadhana
S27 brad t
 Caleb
Tadhana
S27 caleb t
 Candice
Galang
S27 candice t
 Ciera
Tadhana
S27 ciera t
 Colton
Galang
S27 colton t
 Gervase
Galang
S27 gervase t
 Hayden
Tadhana
S27 hayden t
 John
Tadhana
S27 john t
 Kat
Galang
S27 kat t
 Katie
Tadhana
S27 katie t
 Laura B.
Tadhana
S27 laurab t
 Laura M.
Galang
S27 lauram t
 Marissa
Tadhana
S27 marissa t
 Monica
Galang
S27 monica t
 Rachel
Tadhana
S27 rachel t
 Rupert
Galang
S27 rupert t
 Tina
Galang
S27 tina t
 Tyson
Galang
S27 tyson t
 Vytas
Tadhana
S27 vytas t
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