Where Is Richard Hatch Now? All About the First ‘Survivor’ Winner’s Life Today

It’s been 25 years since Richard Hatch became the first Sole Survivor.

In 2000, Hatch competed on the debut season of CBS’ Survivor. During his time on the show, he changed the game forever by forming the first alliance, narrowly beating out Kelly Wiglesworth to become the first winner of the $1 million prize.

Hatch’s approach to Survivor also cemented his spot as one of reality TV’s original villains. However, during an August 2020 conversation with The Hollywood Reporter, Hatch said that he knew he “wasn’t a villain” because he “played within the rules” of the game.

However, Hatch has been the center of controversy over the years. In 2004, one of his Survivor: All Stars contestants, Sue Hawk, alleged that he rubbed his naked genitals on her during a challenge. He went to prison in 2006 after failing to report his large Survivor prize.

So, where is Richard Hatch now? Here’s everything to know about his life today, 25 years after winning the first season of Survivor.

What happened during Richard Hatch’s time on Survivor?

Hatch was 39 years old when he competed on — and won — the first season of Survivor, taking home the $1 million cash prize. During his time on the show, his innovative and strategic approach to the game solidified his legacy as someone who shaped Survivor — and as one of the first villains on reality TV.

In October 2024, Hatch opened up to PEOPLE about his reputation, saying, “They loved to hate me because they didn’t understand Survivor.”

“The world saw me as a villain. I understood that the word meant something to people that wasn’t reflective of what it means in the dictionary,” he said. “Now more people understand the game, supposedly, and I don’t know that they think of me as villainous. But I’ll do whatever it takes in a game, and that’s villainous to somebody.”

After winning the season, it wouldn’t be long until Hatch returned to the small screen, as he competed on 2004’s All-Stars.

However, his time back on the island led him to the center of controversy, as his fellow tribe member, Sue Hawk, alleged that he rubbed his naked genitals on her during a challenge, per Entertainment Weekly.

According to TIME, Hawk quit the game shortly after and said she was “sexually violated” when announcing her decision.

“It went too far and [Hatch] crossed a line with me … I’m done with this game,” she said, per TIME. “There’s no way I can continue with my emotions pushed to the ground that much.”

Hawk appeared on The Early Show with Hatch in March 2004 and said the pair had “different perspectives” on what happened, but had “agreed to move forward and past it.”

In February 2020, Hatch wrote on X that he wasn’t “‘owning up’ to any wrong-doing.”

Why did Richard Hatch go to prison?

In 2006, Hatch was convicted on two counts of attempted tax evasion and one count of signing a fraudulent tax return after failing to report his large Survivor prize, on top of other smaller sums, per Entertainment Weekly.

According to the outlet, he served over four years in federal prison, then was sent back to prison for nine months after failing to refile his 2000 and 2001 tax returns, and pay what he owed, per CBS News.

He later returned to prison for violating prison media-access rules, per Forbes.

What other reality TV shows has Richard Hatch competed on?

Though Hatch rose to fame on Survivor, it isn’t the only reality competition show that he has starred on. After winning the CBS survival show, he appeared on two more NBC series, including season 17 of The Biggest Loser and season 4 of The Celebrity Apprentice.

Most recently, he competed in the second season of E!’s House of Villains alongside Bravo’s Teresa Giudice and The Challenge’s Wes Bergmann. He ultimately came in tenth place.

As for whether or not he’d ever return to Survivor for another season, he told Entertainment Weekly that the “people behind the scenes” probably wouldn’t welcome him back after his complex legal issues.

“I love the game,” he said. “I’ve never missed an episode, so it would only be about mediating [and] remedying what has gone on behind the scenes. That’s all.”

Where is Richard Hatch now?

Hatch hasn’t returned to Survivor since 2004, although he’s been providing plenty of commentary on the show through his YouTube channel, giving his reactions to recent seasons and sharing some behind-the-scenes facts.

When it came time to announce the Survivor: Winners at War cast in February 2020, longtime host Jeff Probst said that he “didn’t feel comfortable having [Hatch] out on the show and representing a show that is for families,” given his “history” on the program, per TIME.

Hatch is also on the hunt for his next relationship. In December 2017, Hatch confirmed in a post on X that his “14-year marriage” to Emiliano Cabral had ended.

“I’M LOOKING FOR LOVE! If you think I’m the guy for you or for someone you know, please let me know,” he wrote. “I prefer to share the journey in partnership, and sadly, my 14-year marriage has ended. Mr. Right will have to be bright enough to be kind. Thanks for your help in finding him.”

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