Did Eva Erickson Win ‘Survivor’ 48?

SPOILER WARNING : Do NOT continue reading if you don’t want to know who won Season 48 of “Survivor!”

Here we go!

A Trailblazing Journey

So — did she win?

The answer: No.

In a dramatic three-hour finale that aired tonight, May 21, Eva Erickson fell just short of being named the winner of “Survivor” Season 48. While she made it to the final tribal council, the jury ultimately awarded the title of Sole Survivor — and the $1 million prize — to Kyle Fraser.

What Happened?

After Kyle Fraser won the final immunity challenge, he honored a prior promise to take Joe Hunter to the final three, leaving Eva and Kamilla to face off in the fire-making challenge.

Despite struggling during practice, Eva insisted on competing and ultimately came out on top. She built a strong flame while Kamilla never managed to produce a lasting fire.

Eva advanced to the final tribal council, where she gave a heartfelt and strategic pitch, discussing her growth, alliances, and neurodivergent perspective. Although she earned votes from the jury, Kyle secured the win with a commanding 5-2-1 vote. Eva’s loss was narrow, but her impact and gameplay left a lasting mark on the season.

A Trailblazing Journey

Eva Erickson’s “Survivor” story may not have ended with the title, but her impact on the game — and on viewers — was undeniable. In an interview with Parade, Erickson revealed she was diagnosed with autism at a young age. Erickson is this the show’s first openly autistic contestant in the show’s 48-season history. Throughout the season, she used her platform to challenge stereotypes and advocate for autism acceptance.

Ultimately, Erickson played a thoughtful, steady game. She entered the game flying under the radar, observing the social dynamics and building quiet alliances. But as the merge approached, she stepped up her game — orchestrating key blindsides and navigating tribal shifts with precision.

At final tribal council, she spoke candidly about her journey, taking ownership of both her strategic gameplay and personal growth. Despite delivering a heartfelt and compelling case, the jury ultimately awarded the title of Sole Survivor to Kyle Fraser.