Survivor Wiki
Register
Advertisement
Survivor Wiki

Sandra Diaz-Twine is the Sole Survivor of Survivor: Pearl Islands and Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains.

Sassy and lippy, she was regarded as the show's best player, holding the distinction as the game's first and only two-time winner. She became renowned for her "as long as it ain't me" strategy where she constantly deflects the vote away from her, working with friends as well as enemies to keep herself in the game. Her adaptability throughout the game, social prowess, and strength in Tribal Council enabled her to make it to the end and win twice.

Profile

Pearl Islands

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.

Heroes vs. Villains

Sandra Diaz-Twine (34)
Tribe: Villains, Yin Yang
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 (Pearls Islands, Micronesia)
Why Did She Come Back?: “Hands down, the money!”

Survivor: Pearl Islands

Sandra started out on the Drake tribe. Early on, she proved herself an asset when her knowledge of the Spanish language helped her tribe get a huge advantage at the Panamanian village, where she helped secure a huge deal for her tribe in provisions and food. Although she was not a force in challenges, The Drake tribe dominated challenges early on. During this time, Sandra grew very annoyed with Jon Dalton (who called himself "Jonny Fairplay"). This conflict came to a head when he wanted her to sit out for being a weak swimmer. She countered by stating that she was on the shore well before him. Sandra was also the first person to loot opposing tribe, taking the Morgan tribe's tarp. Eventually after finding the buried treasure, Burton Roberts proposed to throw a challenge to eliminate one of the weaker members. Despite doubts with the plan, the tribe went through with it. A twist was reveal that the winning tribe would Kidnap one of the losing tribe's member. Morgan chose Rupert Boneham abstaining from the vote. The tribe voted out Burton for his failed plan. Unfortunately, Drake lost all remaining immunity challenges. Sandra's social status kept her safe as the tribe voted out Michelle Tesauro for she was blamed for an immunity challenge loss. When Sandra learned that Trish Dunn was attempting to blindside Rupert, Sandra redirected the vote toward Trish.

At the next challenges, everyone was shock when The Outcasts, the game's first six eliminated contestants returned for one final shot. The Outcasts won, sending both tribes to tribal council, where Sandra joined in voting out the increasingly volatile Shawn Cohen.

Ultimately, Burton returned to Drake and Lillian Morris returned to Morgan. The Drake tribe made amends with Burton. Because of this, Burton convinced the alienated Lill to aligned with the Drake tribe and vote out Andrew Savage, the former Morgan tribe leader and perceived biggest physical threat. Ryan Opray was quickly eliminated afterwards. At the final eight, thinking that Darrah Johnson would be voted off, Sandra cast her vote for Jon. She was shocked when Rupert was voted off instead. Upon reaching the camp, Sandra stole the fish Rupert had caught earlier but accidentally spilled the very heavy bucket. Sandra was able to deflect suspicion off her, But her closest friend and ally Christa Hastie was blamed. Knowing that Christa would tell everyone, Sandra kept the fact that she was the real culprit to herself. At the love ones challenge, Sandra was the only one to know that Jon was lying about his grandma's death. Unfortunately, Sandra's husband, Marcus was the first person out because of that. Sandra tried to convince Tijuana Bradley to betray Burton and Jon. However, the men regained the trust of the Drake women and voted out Tijuana. Unfortunately, the men flipped on Sandra, and Christa was ousted at the next opportunity.

At the final five, while on reward, Sandra formed and alliance with Darrah and Lillian. Neither Jon or Burton suspected a women's alliance, with Jon making Sandra swear on her kids her loyalty. She secretly said that she swears that she will screw him and Burton. When Darrah won her third straight immunity, The women turned to challenge threat Burton, over the antagonistic Jon. At the final four, Jon turned Lill and Darrah against each other. At the immunity challenge, all four castaways was vulnerable due to a twist that let the Jury compete which they won. Sandra and Jon turned on Darrah for her challenge streak. At the Final Immunity Challenge, Sandra was the first out and Lillian ultimately won immunity. Sandra stated that she would be shocked if Lillian took her to the Final Tribal Council over Jon. However, Lillian was impressed by Sandra's willingly to provide for her family, and deemed her more deserving and chose her.

At the Final Tribal Council, some jurors addressed her gameplay. Sandra answered the juror questions effectively and she noted that she was loyal to her alliances and worked hard. In the end, Sandra easily bested Lillian in a 6-1 vote, only losing Tijuana's vote.

Voting History

Sandra's Voting History
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

Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains

Last time I was mean, this time I'm meaner! You know, I'll lie, I don't care! But I'll make up a good lie.

—Sandra Diaz-Twine

Voting History

Sandra's Voting History
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. -
11 Amanda -
12 Candice -
Rupert -
13 Rupert Colby, Rupert
14 Colby Colby
Jerri -
Jury Votes
for Sandra
Amanda, Candice, Colby,
Courtney, J.T., Rupert
Sole Survivor, Day 39

Post-Survivor

  • After Survivor: Pearl Islands, Sandra appeared on The Early Show and talked about Survivor: All-Stars. She actually predicted that Rob and Amber would go far in the game while Brian Heidik, who was also a guest, said they wouldn't. 
  • In Summer of 2009, Sandra, along with the other first eighteen Survivor winners, appeared on a TVGuide special 'Survivor Winners: Where Are They Now?'
  • On January 9, 2010, Sandra attended Survivor's 10-year anniversary party along with all of her Heroes vs. Villains cast mates.
  • For winning the game twice, Sandra was one of the first five inductees of the Survivor Hall of Fame along with Russell Hantz, Richard Hatch, Rob Mariano, and Parvati Shallow.
  • In an episode of Dr. Phil, Sandra was on the audience to show support fellow winner Todd Herzog, who was battling alcoholism.

Trivia

  • Sandra is the game's first and only two-time winner.
  • Sandra and Parvati Shallow are the only former winners to make it to Day 39 twice.
  • She is one of the only four people to play multiple times without ever being voted out along with Jenna Morasca (won, then quit), Michael Skupin (medical evacuation, then finalist) and Colton Cumbie (medical evacuation, then quit). 
  • Jeff Probst refers to her as "the lippiest mother we've ever had on the show."
  • Sandra's seasons were very similar in several ways:
    • Both of her tribes started out strong in the beginning, but later faulted by losing the last three Immunity Challenges and merged with their rival tribes even with five members apiece.
    • She never received any votes for a large majority of the game. The only difference is, Sandra was never voted for in Pearl Islands, while in Heroes vs. Villains, she received three.
    • She never won a single individual challenge.
    • She won the title of Sole Survivor by receiving six jury votes, one of which was from Rupert Boneham.
    • She became tribemates with highly-despised villains, namely, Jonny Fairplay and Russell.
  • She lasted the most days out of any two-time player, with 78 days. 
  • Sandra is the first and only female winner to play a Hidden Immunity Idol in the season that she won.
  • Samdra was the first winner to not win a individual challenge in any way, shape, or form as Tina Wesson won the reward challenge in Enough Is Enough because of her family.
  • In Sandra's voting confessionals in Heroes vs. Villains, she always ended her confessional by saying "Adios."
  • Both times Sandra played, she received six votes to win.
  • Sandra shares her birthday with Brooke Struck and Laura Morett.
  • Sandra was invited back for Survivor: All-Stars, but she declined due to health concerns. She also participated in casting for Survivor: Micronesia, but was cut.

References

Preceded by
The Amazon
File:S6 jenna t.jpg
Jenna Morasca
Sole Survivor Titleholder
Pearl Islands
File:S7 sandra t.jpg
Sandra Diaz-Twine
Succeeded by
All-Stars
File:S8 amber t.jpg
Amber Brkich
Preceded by
Samoa
File:S19 natalie t.jpg
Natalie White
Sole Survivor Titleholder
Heroes vs. Villains
File:S20 sandra t.jpg
Sandra Diaz-Twine
Succeeded by
Nicaragua
File:S21 fabio t.jpg
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
Advertisement