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‘Survivor’ Community Mourns Death of ‘Nicaragua’ Fan Favorite
Jane Bright, the fiery dog trainer who captured hearts on “Survivor: Nicaragua,” has died at age 71. Her daughter, Ashley Hammett, confirmed the news on May 15, 2025 via Facebook, sharing that Jane passed away in her North Carolina home. At the time of this writing, no cause of death has been made public.
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A Fierce Heart And Unforgettable Spirit
If you watched Season 21, you probably remember Jane for her straight-talking personality, her emotional moments by the campfire, and her underdog story that had fans rooting for her week after week. She didn’t just play the game… she lived it out loud, unapologetically.
Jane may not have won the $1 million, but let’s be real: she still walked away with a huge win. The fans voted her as their favorite, handing her a well-earned $100,000 prize, per TMZ. And considering the chaos that was “Nicaragua” (hello, NaOnka quitting with days to go), Jane’s authenticity stood out in a big way. She didn’t hold back, she fought hard, and she made you feel something every time she was on screen. That’s rare.
Loved On And Off The Island
Jane’s impact went way beyond reality TV. She was a dog trainer by profession, and from all accounts, she brought the same loyalty, heart, and determination to that work as she did to the show.
After news of her death broke, tributes came pouring in from the “Survivor” family.
Two-time winner Sandra Diaz-Twine shared two Instagram posts. One with a photo of Jane and the caption, “Rest in heavenly peace. Jane from Survivor Nicaragua #survivor.” As well as another (seen below), that held a carousel of photos of Jane along with Sandra, as well as other contestants and friends. It was captioned, “One of our favorite survivors. Always had a smile on her face.”
Leslie Nease from “Survivor: China” fame honored her “sweet friend” with a tribute expressing that her “heart feels so heavy” and saying that Jane “was such a lovely friend!”
“Tougher than a $2 steak! Jane Bright is one of the most incredible Survivors I’ve ever met,” Jonny Fairplay, of “Survivor: Pearl Islands” and “Survivor: Micronesia” said in his post. “There’s never been a more resolute player in the history of the game. And there’s never been more of a friend that if you ever called them that would ALWAYS be there!”
Her Legacy Is More Than Just A Season
Jane Bright showed that you didn’t have to be young, super athletic, or part of an alliance from day one to leave your mark. She connected with fans because she was real; no gimmicks, no act, just Jane.
While she didn’t walk away with the title of Sole Survivor, she earned something just as lasting: the love and admiration of her fellow contestants and the viewers who still remember her 14 years later.
Rest easy, Jane. You were one of the greats.
