Dee Valladares Biography
Dee Valladares is a Cuban-born American entrepreneur, reality television personality, and Survivor 45 winner. She is best known for winning the forty-fifth season of Survivor on CBS before joining the cast of Big Brother 28 in 2026. Valladares is also the founder of Wanaroam, a travel and backpack company. She currently lives in Miami, Florida.
Dee Valladares Age | Birthday
Valladares is 29 years old as of 2026. She was born on October 2, 1996, in Havana, Cuba. She celebrates her birthday every year on October 2.
Dee Valladares Parents
She was born to Lisset Valladares and Osmaney Valladares in Havana, Cuba. She has one brother, Osmel Valladares.
Her family immigrated to South Florida when she was young. Dee has often credited her father for teaching her that happiness comes from experiences rather than material possessions, a lesson that shaped both her personal life and business.
Dee Valladares Nationality | Ethnicity
Valladares is an American citizen. She was born in Havana, Cuba, and raised in South Florida after moving to the United States as a child. Her ethnicity is Latina, and she is of Cuban heritage.
Height
Dee stands approximately 5 feet 3 inches (1.60 m) tall.
Education
Dee studied Psychology in college. Although she has shared that she did not complete her degree after struggling in one class, she has said the experience helped shape her personal growth.
Job
Dee is an entrepreneur and television personality. She is the founder of Wanaroam, a travel brand that sells backpacks and travel accessories inspired by her passion for exploring new places.
Before becoming a full-time entrepreneur, Dee worked in technology sales. She previously held a Sales Development Representative position at Drata, a security and compliance software company.
Today, she continues to expand her travel brand while creating lifestyle and travel content online.
Dee Valladares Survivor
Dee competed on Survivor 45, which premiered on September 27, 2023, on CBS. She began the game on the Reba tribe and became one of the season’s strongest strategic players. Working closely with the Reba Four alliance, Dee built strong social relationships while making several key strategic moves throughout the season.
At the Final Tribal Council, she defeated Austin Li Coon and Jake O’Kane in a 5-3-0 jury vote to become the Sole Survivor and win the $1 million prize. She also became the first Cuban-born winner in the history of the U.S. version of Survivor.
Dee later returned to compete on Survivor 50, where she once again established herself as one of the game’s strongest competitors before being voted out during the jury phase.
Dee Valladares Big Brother 28
In July 2026, Dee joined Big Brother 28 as the season’s surprise seventeenth houseguest. Her arrival made reality TV history, as she became one of the few contestants to compete on both Survivor and Big Brother, and the first Survivor winner to enter the Big Brother house.
Dee entered the game to become the first person to win both shows. Shortly after entering the house, she won the season’s first Head of Household (HOH) competition, immediately establishing herself as one of the biggest strategic threats.
Survivor 45 Cast
Some of Dee’s fellow Survivor 45 castaways included:
- Austin Li Coon
- Emily Flippen
- Drew Basile
- Julie Alley
- Jake O’Kane
- Katurah Topps
- Bruce Perreault
- Kaleb Gebrewold
- Kellie Nalbandian
- Brandon Donlon
- Brandon “Brando” Meyer
- Hannah Rose
- Sabiyah Broderick
- Sean Edwards
- Kendra McQuarrie
- Janani “J. Maya” Krishnan
- Nicholas “Sifu” Alsup
Dee Valladares Net Worth
Valladares has an estimated net worth of $500,000 to $1.5 million. Her income comes from multiple sources, including:
- Wanaroam travel brand
- Television appearances
- Brand partnerships
- Social media collaborations
- Public appearances and endorsements
Dee Valladares Instagram
Dee is active on Instagram under the handle @roamwithdee, where she shares travel adventures, fitness content, behind-the-scenes moments from reality television, and updates about Wanaroam.
Quick Facts About Dee Valladares
- Full Name: Dee Valladares
- Birth Name: Deyvis “Dee” Valladares
- Date of Birth: October 2, 1996
- Age: 29 years old (as of 2026)
- Birthplace: Havana, Cuba
- Current Residence: Miami, Florida, USA
- Nationality: American
- Ethnicity: Cuban / Latina
- Height: Approximately 5 feet 3 inches (1.60 m)
- Parents: Lisset Valladares and Osmaney Valladares
- Sibling: Osmel Valladares
- Occupation: Entrepreneur, Reality TV Personality, Content Creator
- Company: Founder of Wanaroam
- Former Career: Sales Development Representative at Drata
- Known For: Winner of Survivor 45, contestant on Survivor 50, and Big Brother 28
- Survivor Tribe: Reba
- Survivor 45 Result: Winner ($1 million prize)
- Big Brother Season: Big Brother 28 (US)
- Relationship Status: Not publicly confirmed
- Estimated Net Worth: $500,000–$1.5 million
- Instagram: @roamwithdee