Kristin Flickinger is the oldest castaway on Survivor 51, and her experience showed in a game that was still alive after the season’s first six episodes. The 49-year-old from Santa Barbara, California, started on the Savu tribe when the CBS season premiered on September 23, 2026. She works in crisis management, a field built on staying calm when everything is going wrong, and that professional steadiness made her one of the season’s most intriguing players to watch.
| Full Name | Kristin Flickinger |
| Known For | Survivor 51 (CBS, 2026) |
| Age (as of 2026) | 49 |
| Hometown | Santa Barbara, California |
| Occupation | Crisis management |
Who Is Kristin Flickinger?
Kristin Flickinger is a 49-year-old crisis management professional who competed on Survivor 51 in 2026. She was living in Santa Barbara, California, at the time of the season, having grown up in Ketchum, Idaho. Crisis management is work that happens in the worst moments: a company, a community or a person facing a sudden, high-stakes problem that needs a clear plan and a steady voice. In Survivor, where every day brings a new crisis, from a lost challenge to a shifting alliance, that background is a natural fit, and Kristin was the season’s oldest player by a clear margin.
Early Life & Background
Kristin grew up in Ketchum, Idaho, a mountain town in the Sun Valley area, and later based herself in Santa Barbara, California, where she worked in crisis management. The move from a small Idaho town to a coastal California city is a big life step, and it fits a career built on handling complex, high-pressure situations. Before Survivor, she was presented as a mature, experienced player, and her age and professional background set her apart from the season’s younger castaways, many of whom were in their twenties and early thirties.
Survivor 51 Journey
Kristin started Survivor 51 on the Savu tribe in the Mamanuca Islands, Fiji. Savu lost early immunity challenges and went to Tribal Council in the first, second and fourth episodes, but Kristin survived those votes. After the sixth episode, which aired on October 28, 2026, she was still in the game, one of 13 players remaining in Survivor 51. Her survival through the opening phase, despite being the season’s oldest castaway, is a notable part of her story, and she remains in contention as the season moves toward its middle phase.
Facts About Kristin Flickinger
- Kristin Flickinger works in crisis management and is from Santa Barbara, California.
- She grew up in Ketchum, Idaho.
- She is the oldest castaway on Survivor 51, at 49 years old.
- She started Survivor 51 on the Savu tribe.
- She was still in the game after the sixth episode of Survivor 51, which aired on October 28, 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Kristin Flickinger?
Kristin Flickinger is 49 years old as of 2026.
Where is Kristin Flickinger from?
Kristin Flickinger is from Santa Barbara, California, and grew up in Ketchum, Idaho.
What does Kristin Flickinger do for a living?
Kristin Flickinger works in crisis management.
Is Kristin Flickinger still on Survivor 51?
Yes. Kristin Flickinger was still in the game after the sixth episode of Survivor 51, which aired on October 28, 2026.
Which tribe did Kristin Flickinger start on?
Kristin Flickinger started Survivor 51 on the Savu tribe.
Related: see the full Survivor 2026 Cast hub.