Dee Valladares

Dee Valladares is the winner of "Survivor 45," making history as the first Cuban-born contestant to claim the title of Sole Survivor. Born in Havana and raised in Hialeah, Florida, she currently resides in Miami. At the time of her victory, she was 27 years old and working as an entrepreneur, having founded her own backpack company, Wanaroam, driven by her passion for travel.

In "Survivor 45," Dee was a member of the dominant Reba alliance, which included Austin Li Coon, Drew Basile, and Julie Alley. Her gameplay was marked by strategic acumen and bold moves, such as advising Julie to play her immunity idol without informing her showmance partner, Austin, and orchestrating the blindside of Drew. These decisions showcased her ability to navigate complex social dynamics and solidified her position in the game.

At the Final Tribal Council, Dee's compelling argument about her strategic maneuvers and social gameplay earned her a 5–3–0 jury vote victory over Austin and Jake O'Kane.

Following her win, Dee has remained engaged with the "Survivor" community and returned for "Survivor 50: In The Hands Of The Fans," a milestone season featuring 24 returning all-star contestants.