Survivor: Millennials vs. Gen X star Sunday Burquest dies of cancer

Dalton Ross
·3 min read

Monty Brinton/CBS via Getty Images Sunday Burquest of 'Survivor: Millennials vs. Gen X'

Survivor star Sunday Burquest has passed away at 50 years old, according to an Instagram post from Sunday's daughter Kennedy Burquest.

After beating breast cancer in 2012, Burquest appeared on Survivor's Millennials vs. Gen X season in 2016, coming in seventh place after she was voted out on day 35. She was later diagnosed with terminal esophageal and ovarian cancer in 2020.

In an interview this past November with EW, Burquest spoke of taking on her latest battle. "After beating breast cancer in 2012, a terminal cancer diagnosis was definitely not something I expected," she wrote in her Survivor Quarantine Questionnaire. "I'm actively fighting the disease with chemo, which, in my doctor's words, 'will extend my window of time,' however being a person of faith, I still believe in miracles and am fully expecting one to come my way!"

In her Instagram post announcing the news, daughter Kennedy spoke emotionally and eloquently to her mother.

To my unbelievably beautiful mama,Thank you. Thank you for fighting as hard as you did for as long as you did. Thank you for being a best friend, a role model, a sister, and my mother all in one. Thank you for raising me to love Jesus, and show that love to others. That's something you did so well. It breaks my heart to know you will never get to see me on my wedding day, or be there when I have my first kid. But I know you're watching over me. Although it hurts me so bad to watch you go, I'm so happy you are happy again. I'm happy you get to be with Jesus, and see your dad. I'm happy you aren't in pain anymore. I'm happy I got to have these past few months with you. I loved taking care of you. You'll always be my favorite patient. I love you to heaven and back a million times. I know one day we will meet again. Until then, I'll spend every minute missing you, and trying to make you proud. Rest easy mom, I'll see you soon

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by @kennedy_burquest

Survivor host Jeff Probst also posted a tribute to his social media channels, writing that "Sunday Burquest had one of the brightest smiles of any person to ever play Survivor. She radiated kindness and understanding. She seemed to understand better than most, that life is for living, so say yes to life whenever possible. My condolences go out to her family and friends."

As for her time in the reality TV spotlight, Burquest never stopped appreciating the adventure and a chance to turn her dream as a fan into a reality as a player. "I remember our first night sitting in our quickly made shelter in a horrible storm for what felt like an eternity," she told EW in November. "We were miserable, freezing, and soaking wet. I kept telling myself, you signed up for this, you asked for this as cold rain was going down the back of my neck all night. Even at that, I never regretted going on the show. My 7 days in the hospital and 2 surgeries never made me regret it for a second.… There is so much about Survivor that is a part of my life and I am still a huge fan, I'll never regret getting this opportunity."

Related content:

  • Up next
  • Up next
  • Up next
  • Up next

Latest Stories

  • Anti-doping watchdog asks Swiss prosecutor to review its handling of Chinese Olympic swimming case

    Heavily criticized for its secretive oversight of positive tests by 23 Chinese swimmers before the Tokyo Olympics, the World Anti-Doping Agency on Thursday appointed a veteran Swiss prosecutor to review how it handled the cases. The Montreal-based doping watchdog said Eric Cottier will be an independent prosecutor “to conduct a thorough review of WADA’s handling of the matter.” Cottier was attorney general of Vaud — the home canton (state) of the International Olympic Committee and swimming’s governing body World Aquatics — for 17 years until his retirement in December 2022.

  • Double glazing giant Everest crashes into administration

    One of Britain's biggest double-glazing suppliers has crashed into administration, leaving insolvency practitioners engaged in a race to salvage hundreds of jobs. Sky News has learnt that Everest, which has been owned by the prominent financier Jon Moulton's investment firm Better Capital for more than a decade, called in administrators this week. Mr Moulton, one of the City's best-known turnaround specialists, has been winding down Better Capital for years, with Everest one of its few remaining investments.

  • What makes Britain look so great to migrants in France?

    Following the latest Channel tragedy on Tuesday when five people, including a seven-year-old girl, died, one local French mayor squarely blamed Britain.

  • ECB's Panetta calls for timely, small rate cuts

    European Central Bank policymaker Fabio Panetta called on Thursday for timely and small interest rate cuts to stem the risk of prolonged economic stagnation in the euro area. The ECB has clearly signalled it will start lowering borrowing costs in June after inflation fell back to just above its 2% target, but investors have started to doubt its resolve to continue on that path [GVD/EUR]. Panetta, the governor of the Bank of Italy, made the case for starting early and going in small steps -- pausing if inflation were to rear its head.

  • Red Bull fight to keep Adrian Newey amid exit talk over Christian Horner controversy

    Red Bull have vowed to fight any rival move for Adrian Newey amid widespread rumours their star designer has told the team he wants to leave over the Christian Horner controversy.

  • Leaders of 18 countries urge Hamas to release hostages held in Gaza

    UK and US leaders among those calling for release, as families renew pressure on Netanyahu to restart negotiations

  • Record $8.8 billion pulled from US sustainable funds in Q1

    European and American investors showed converse interest in sustainable funds during the first quarter, research firm Morningstar said on Thursday, with a record $8.8 billion in net withdrawals from the products in the U.S. A combination of factors likely contributed to the U.S. sustainable fund outflows during the first three months of 2024, said Morningstar. European consumers, and politicians, have supported greener products and climate-minded regulations.

  • Kaleb Cooper: ‘The failure to support farmers will lead to England being at war with itself’

    If the last outing for Clarkson’s Farm was about the battle between Diddly Squat and West Oxfordshire district council, its third series offers a new conflict: the proprietor versus Kaleb Cooper. Jeremy Clarkson’s latest scheme is to split his 1,000 acres between them to see who can generate the most dosh.

  • Egypt in renewed mediation push for Gaza truce, sources say

    Egypt has asked for a follow-up meeting with Israel in renewed efforts to mediate a deal for a ceasefire and the release of hostages in the Gaza Strip, two Egyptian security sources said on Thursday. Egyptian, Israeli and U.S. officials held in-person and remote meetings on Wednesday that sought concessions to break a deadlock in months-long negotiations for a truce in the war between Israel and Palestinian group Hamas that began on Oct. 7, the sources said. Egypt believed Israel had shown more willingness to allow displaced Gazans to return towards the north of the enclave in a way that limited security checks and procedures for those not suspected of militant activity, they added.

  • Harvey Weinstein's 2020 rape conviction overturned in New York

    Victims group describes the New York appeal court's decision to retry Hollywood mogul as "profoundly unjust".

  • I started running to woo my wife, Rishi Sunak tells ‘Hardest Geezer’

    Rishi Sunak has confessed he took up running to impress his future wife, as he went for a jog in Westminster with the first person to run the length of Africa.

  • Donna Kelce Says Taylor Swift 'Doesn't Need' Her Advice — Instead Hopes 'She Will Give Me Advice' (Exclusive)

    Donna tells PEOPLE, though, that she frequently gives advice to her sons Travis and Jason Kelce

  • Investors are more worried about inflation than a weakening economy

    Fresh data on Thursday showed further signs of sticky inflation, pushing bond yields higher and weighing on stocks.

  • Why Do Millennials Feel Compelled To Write 'Lol' After Everything?

    "I’ve transitioned to ‘haha’ instead of ‘lol’ because I read that 'lol' is millennial-coded."

  • ‘Shark Tank’ Star Daymond John: The Worst Business Advice He’s Received

    Today, Daymond John is known as the stylishly dressed "Shark Tank" investor worth $350 million, but he started with just a $40 budget for FUBU, the urban clothing company he co-founded which turned...

  • Cut the car clutter with Amazon's No. 1 bestselling trash can and organizer, on sale for just $5

    Say goodbye to mobile messes with this clever multitasker — it's leakproof to spare your ride from sticky spills.

  • Remembering legendary hockey broadcaster Bob Cole. Oh baby, what a life

    Bob Cole, a welcome voice for Canadian hockey fans for a half-century, has died at the age of 90. Cole died Wednesday night in St. John's, N.L., surrounded by his family, his daughter, Megan Cole, told the CBC. Born June 24, 1933, the St. John's native provided a distinctive soundtrack to Canada's game. He was known for his signature "Oh baby" call, an expression that was not restricted to hockey arenas. “He’s been saying that around the house as long as I can remember," Megan said in Cole's 201

  • Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. (NYSE:HLT) Q1 2024 Earnings Call Transcript

    Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. (NYSE:HLT) Q1 2024 Earnings Call Transcript April 24, 2024 Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. isn’t one of the 30 most popular stocks among hedge funds at the end of the third quarter (see the details here). Operator: Good morning and welcome to the Hilton First Quarter 2024 Earnings Conference Call. [Operator Instructions] […]

  • Three ways to help teens become more financially savvy

    A recent Wells Fargo Money Study revealed 83% of teenagers want to learn more about how to manage their money. To address this critical issue, Wells Fargo Managing Director of Advice and Planning Emily Irwin joins Wealth! to discuss how adults can effectively guide and support teens in their financial literacy journey. Irwin highlights the "direct conflict" between the high number of teens seeking financial education and the reluctance of many adults to openly discuss money matters. She advises parents and guardians "start small" by introducing savings plans tailored to the teen's wants versus their needs. Irwin outlines three essential financial concepts that every teenager should master: savings and compounding, credit and its importance, and budgeting. For more expert insight and the latest market action, click here to watch this full episode of Wealth! This post was written by Angel Smith

  • Explainer-Mass graves in Gaza: what do we know?

    The discovery of mass graves at two Gaza hospitals, said by Palestinian authorities to contain hundreds of bodies, have triggered calls by the U.N. rights chief and others for an international investigation. While not defined under international law, a mass grave is a burial site containing multiple bodies, the existence of which could be important in detecting possible war crimes.