Sonja Christopher, who was on SURVIVAL, has died.
The longtime TV host was 87 years old.
Most people know Sonja from the first season of the CBS reality show Survivor.
In addition, she was the first person sent home.
Liz Wilcox, who stars in Survivor Season 46, broke the sad news on X, which used to be Twitter.
She said, “Legend Sonja Christopher of Season One died today.” It was a pleasure to meet her over the holidays.
“She was very rebellious and loved Survivor and how it changed her life.” Sonya, I hope you’re singing and playing your heart out somewhere beautiful.
An admirer asked in the comments where they could send flowers.
In response, Liz asked people to give money to the Sjogren’s Foundation, the Cancer Support Community of the San Francisco Bay Area, or Mt. Diablo Unitarian Universalist Church in Walnut Creek, California.
Liz also sent another picture of herself and Sonja on a FaceTime call. In the picture, Sonja is showing off her ukulele, which she is famous for playing on Survivor.
In 2000, Sonja was on Survivor: Borneo. She helped her team lose a challenge during the week, which got her kicked off the show.
WHAT SHE DID AFTER SURVIVAL
Her time on the reality show, meeting host Jeff Probst, and what she was doing were all topics of an interview she did with Entertainment Weekly in 2020.
Speaking about her experience as the first person to leave Survivor, she said she had “mixed feelings” and was “beaten up.”
She said that she was a music therapist until she retired 20 years after she first showed up.
Sonya said she would get her banjo and sing with older people in retirement homes.
They would remember her performances and the songs she sang when they were kids.
More fans shared their pain on X.
One person said, “Rip to the queen.”
“RIP to Sonja Christopher, the woman who quite literally started it all,” said someone else on Twitter. That’s what a legend is!”
Another person said, “I’m sorry she left.” We’re glad you got to meet her!”
“This is really extremely sad.” “To honor Sonja Christopher, I’m going to watch #Survivor: Borneo Episode 1 again tonight,” said a fourth.
People have played Survivor ever since she did. This is what podcast host Rob Cesternino said: “We will always smile when we think of Sonja Christopher.”