What Happened To Todd Herzog? Is He Still Alive? Where Is He Now?
by Ushapriyanga
Updated May 02, 2023
Who is Todd Herzog?
Todd Michael Herzog, born on January 29, 1985, gained fame as an American reality TV personality after winning the 15th season of Survivor, Survivor: China, in 2007. He hails from Pleasant Grove, Utah and was raised in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Prior to his appearance on Survivor, he worked as a flight attendant for SkyWest Airlines.]
Herzog is openly gay and was in a relationship with fellow Survivor contestant, Spencer Duhm from Tocantins. In August 2019, he got engaged to Jess Hermansen and the couple tied the knot on November 11, 2020. Though he had both American and Canadian citizenship during his time on Survivor, Herzog had to give up his Canadian citizenship in order to claim his one million dollar prize due to legal reasons. His mother is originally from Scarborough, Ontario.
What Happened to Todd Herzog?
After winning Survivor: China season 15, Todd Herzog's life took a difficult turn. Despite his remarkable performance on the show as an openly gay Mormon flight attendant, Todd faced personal struggles post his victory. During the competition, he showcased his abilities by winning eight challenges and making strategic alliances with other competitors, such as Amanda Kimmel.
Although he burned some bridges, Todd's smart gameplay convinced the jurors to award him the victory with four of the seven council votes. However, after the show, Todd's life became tumultuous. He dated fellow Survivor contestant Spencer Duhm, but their relationship was short-lived. Despite this, Todd continued to participate in the Survivor franchise, appearing on specials like Survivor Millionaires: Where Are They Now? and attending the show's 10-year anniversary event in 2010.
Unfortunately, Todd faced challenges in the following decade. The fame and success he achieved following his Survivor win led to drinking addiction and personal struggles. In 2013, Todd shared his battle with alcoholism with the public, which included a memorable appearance on Dr. Phil where he needed assistance walking onto the stage due to intoxication. During the show, Todd discussed his addiction and agreed to seek treatment as per Distractify.
He received support from fellow Survivor contestants and was reportedly sober for several hundred days after the show. However, Todd's mother revealed in 2016 that he had relapsed, leading to another appearance on Dr. Phil. In 2017, Todd claimed that he was put in a difficult situation behind the scenes of his Dr. Phil appearance, including being left alone with a bottle of vodka and given a Xanax before going on the show.
Dr. Phil's team denied these allegations, but some fans believe that Todd was exploited by the show's producers. Despite the controversy surrounding his time on Dr. Phil, Todd has been able to maintain his sobriety since 2017.
Is Todd Herzog Still Alive?
Born on January 29, 1985, Herzog resides in Pleasant Grove, Utah with his siblings: one brother named Tyler and three sisters named Brandy, Kimmi, and Tori. During 2013, Herzog struggled with alcoholism, leading his mother to reach out to the Dr. Phil show. However, when he appeared on the show, he was under the influence of alcohol.
Despite this, fellow Survivor contestants, including close friends Courtney Yates and Sandra Diaz-Twine, offered their support to Herzog. In 2017, Herzog claimed that he was not drunk when he arrived at the Dr. Phil studio, but was given vodka and a Xanax pill before his appearance on the show. Although the production company denied his allegations, Herzog received support from journalists with Stat News and The Boston Globe. Currently, as of 2023, Herzog is married to Jess Hermansen and working as a personalized Funko Pop creator.
Where is Todd Herzog now?
Todd Herzog is currently married to his husband, Jess Hermansen, and works as a personalized Funko Pop creator. During the final Tribal Council of Survivor: China, Herzog was confronted by several jury members for his actions, with many considering him the most manipulative and deceiving of the three finalists. Despite this, Herzog was also viewed as the most honest about his gameplay and was ultimately awarded the million-dollar prize and the title of "Sole Survivor" in a 4-2-1 vote against his allies Yates and Kimmel.
Following his victory, Herzog was featured on the cover of the December 2007 issue of Instinct, where he was dubbed the "Million Dollar Man." In the accompanying interview, Herzog revealed that he had been inspired to compete on Survivor since the age of 15, when the show first aired as per Screenrant.
Todd Herzog Net Worth
Todd Herzog's estimated net worth or income is between $1 million and $5 million, earned primarily from his career as a reality TV star. On Survivor: China, the 15th season of the show, Herzog was initially placed on the Fei Long Tribe, which won immunity early on. He formed an alliance with Amanda Kimmel and Aaron Reisberger, which lasted until the tribe swap.
Prior to her elimination, Leslie Nease gave Herzog a clue to the hidden immunity idol, which she had received from Jaime Dugan. The subsequent reward challenge resulted in a swap of two members between the tribes, leaving Herzog and Kimmel without their ally Reisberger and James Clement. The Zhan Hu tribe then lost the following immunity challenge, resulting in Reisberger's elimination.
Todd Herzog Husband
Todd Herzog, who grew up in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, hails from Pleasant Grove, Utah. Prior to joining Survivor, he worked as a flight attendant for SkyWest Airlines. Todd is openly gay and was in a relationship with Spencer Duhm, a fellow Survivor contestant from Tocantins. In August 2019, he got engaged to Jess Hermansen and the couple got married on November 11, 2020.
Todd held dual citizenship as both an American and Canadian citizen during his time on Survivor due to his mother's Canadian roots. However, to claim his million-dollar prize, he had to give up his Canadian citizenship for legal reasons as per Screenrant.
How is Todd Herzog Today?
Todd Herzog is currently living a happy life with his partner. Despite facing difficult times in the past, the openly gay winner of Survivor has moved on. Prior to his appearance on Survivor: China, Todd had an interesting life as an openly gay Mormon who worked as a flight attendant and traveled extensively. During his time on Survivor: China, Herzog made strategic moves to eliminate threats to his game as per Screenrant.
He initially voted out Jean-Robert Bellande, deviating from the plan to eliminate Jaime Dugan. Later, he and his alliance had to eliminate Michael "Frosti" Zernow after their target, Sherea Lloyd, was unexpectedly saved by immunity. In the final six, the Fei Long alliance successfully voted out Dave Cruser and then Sherea, who had immunity. At the final Tribal Council, Herzog faced criticism from the jury for his manipulative gameplay, particularly from Bellande, but ultimately won the game with a 4-2-1 vote against his allies, Amanda Kimmel and Courtney Yates.
What Happened to Todd Herzogn - FAQs
Todd Herzog is a former contestant on the reality TV show Survivor, and the winner of Survivor: China.
Todd Herzog won Survivor: China, which was the 15th season of the show.
Todd Herzog won Survivor: China by outplaying and outlasting his fellow competitors and receiving the most votes from the jury at the final Tribal Council.
Yes, Todd Herzog is openly gay.
Todd Herzog had both American and Canadian citizenship while on Survivor, but he had to renounce his Canadian citizenship in order to claim his million dollar prize for legal reasons.