Sonja Christopher: A Pioneer of Survivor
Sonja Christopher made history in 2000 as one of the first contestants on the reality television series “Survivor: Borneo.” At the age of 63, Sonja, who had recently moved to a retirement community, saw a story about “Survivor” in the newspaper and knew she wanted to try something new.
Sonja’s stint on the show was brief, but she will be remembered as the first person ever to be voted out of “Survivor.” Her early exit from the competition made her an iconic character in the show’s history.
Sonja Christopher died earlier this year, aged 87. In her remembrance, the show’s host, Jeff Probst, posted poignant tributes to her on the official “Survivor” Instagram page. Probst regarded Sonja as one of the nicest people to ever play the game and reflected on their great contacts throughout the years. He expressed gratitude for the opportunity to cross paths with her.
Rob Cesternino, a former “Survivor” contestant from season 6, paid respect to Sonja on social media. He praised her tremendous contribution to the event, saying she laid the road for everyone who followed in her footsteps. To commemorate Sonja’s iconic on-screen performance of playing the ukulele and singing “Bye Bye Blues” to fellow competitor Richard Hatch, who went on to win the season, Cesternino included a ukulele emoji in his tribute.
Sonja was eliminated early in the tournament, but her passion for “Survivor” remained unwavering. She even declared with pride in 2017 that she had not missed an episode in the previous 17 years. She said she would watch the show for another seventeen years, and then she would gracefully go to the “giant Tribal Council in the sky.”
Before retiring, Sonja worked as a music therapist. Three years before her appearance on “Survivor,” she was diagnosed with breast cancer. During that difficult period, Sonja’s significant other sought refuge elsewhere, leaving her alone to confront her battle as a survivor. It was during this time that she stumbled across an article in the morning paper announcing CBS’s appeal for Americans to engage in a 39-day desert island adventure. Sonja’s unexpected journey began at that exact moment.
Sonja Christopher will always have a special place in the epic history of “Survivor.” Her daring energy and bold outlook on life continue to inspire both show viewers and future participants.
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