‘Survivor 47’ preview: Sue Smey hopes to become ‘oldest woman to ever win’ [WATCH]
“Survivor 47” fans, it’s time to meet Sue Smey, a 59-year-old flight school owner from Putnam Valley, New York. “I want to be remembered as the oldest woman to ever win ‘Survivor,'” she proclaims in CBS’s preview video. For the record, the oldest female winner is Season 25’s Denise Stapley (age 41), while the oldest male winner is Season 17’s Bob Crowley (age 57). Watch Sue’s intro above at the 12:19 mark.
Speaking about the obstacles she’s faced in her career, she says, “When I first got into the aviation industry, I’d have such a pushback from the men. I felt like they almost laughed at me. So I’m going to keep pushing forward and none of that mattered. Now I have a really successful flight school and everyone in the area knows who we are.”
More from GoldDerby
Sue continues on, “We need more women in the aviation industry. Only 6% is women. My goal is to try to open this up to women. They need to be empowered. I was totally underestimated.”
As for her social strategy, she notes, “Coming here, I feel it’s going to be very similar. These people look at the old person. They think we’re the weak person here. Between my work ethic and my level of competition, they’re going to soon realize that they’re going to want me here. And my grandson will always remember his grandma kicking butt on ‘Survivor.'”
SEE‘Survivor’ deaths: Full list of castaways we’ve lost
Sue Smey is one of the six contestants competing on the blue Tuku tribe this year, along with Caroline Vidmar, Gabe Ortis, Kyle Ostwald, Tiyana Hallums and Terran “TK” Foster. See the cast photos in our gallery below.
The 47th season of “Survivor” will premiere on Wednesday, September 18, 2024 with a two-hour episode, followed by 90-minute episodes thereafter. Four-time Emmy winner Jeff Probst returns to host and produce the long-running reality TV show, which films in Mamanuca Islands, Fiji. Make your predictions at Gold Derby right now to let us know who YOU think will win and who will be voted out each week.
SIGN UP for Gold Derby’s free newsletter with latest predictions
Best of GoldDerby
Sign up for Gold Derby's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.