Exclusive: 'Survivor 46' Champion Kenzie Petty Discloses $1 Million Prize Plans and Baby No. 1's Gender

Kenzie Petty, the winner of Survivor 46, won the $1 million prize and is now focusing on investing in herself.

"I'm keeping it simple by putting the money in a high-yield savings account," Kenzie, 29, shared exclusively with We on Thursday, May 23, after the Survivor finale. "I'm not sure what's next. I've never had this much money before. It's unexpected for me."

Petty began her career as a hair stylist at the young age of 15. She recently revealed that she plans to save the prize money for her "retirement" fund.

"I've been working hard all my life," she said. "Knowing that I have this opportunity to set aside money for my future is truly a blessing."

Kenzie shared that she is not only saving money for her retirement but also planning to take a longer maternity leave to focus on starting her family. She recently announced that she and her husband, Jackson Petty, are expecting their first baby in September.

Jackson Petty made the exciting announcement on Instagram on Mother's Day, revealing that they are expecting a baby in September. Kenzie expressed her happiness in finally sharing the news after keeping it a secret for some time.

'Survivor 46' Winner Kenzie Petty Shares Plans for $1 Million Prize, Reveals Sex of Baby No. 1

Kenzie Veurink Robert Voets/CBS

Kenzie shared with Us that she and Jackson found out they are expecting a baby boy.

"I'm currently 23 weeks pregnant. The baby will be a Virgo. It's a boy! I haven't posted about it on social media yet, so this is fresh news," she excitedly shared. "Right now, I'm just focusing on growing him inside me. I'm enjoying every moment of being pregnant. It's truly a wonderful experience."

Kenzie expressed her excitement while watching the episode on Wednesday, May 22. She shared how everything felt like it was coming "full circle."

Reflecting on her journey, Kenzie mentioned, "I initially joined to compete, but now I am here to build a family." During the tribal council, as Jeff [Probst] announced the results, she felt her baby kick. This moment marked a beautiful and special time in her life.

'Survivor 46' Winner Kenzie Petty Shares Plans for $1 Million Prize, Reveals Sex of Baby No. 1

Kenzie Veurink and Tiffany Ervin Chuck Snyder/CBS

Kenzie revealed to Us that she had originally planned to share her pregnancy news after the season ended. However, her fellow tribemate Tiffany Nicole Ervin persuaded her to announce it earlier.

She explained, "I was thinking of waiting until the finale, but then Tiff messaged me asking if I was going to reveal it on Mother’s Day. I thought, ‘That’s a great idea!’ So, big thanks to Tiff for that suggestion."

Kenzie expressed her gratitude for sharing the news before the finale. She mentioned, "I’m happy I announced it earlier. With all the excitement of the finale, it would have been overwhelming to have two major announcements at once. So, Tiff’s idea really helped."

Kenzie is getting ready to welcome her first child. She mentioned that her friend Liz Wilcox will be attending her baby shower. However, she has not finalized the guest list yet because it has been a hectic few weeks.

"Liz is definitely coming," Kenzie said. "I haven't had a chance to send out the invitations. With all the traveling we've been doing for the show, everyone can just relax. You've already done so much for me."

Survivor is available to stream on Paramount+.

Editor's P/S:

Kenzie Petty's victory in Survivor 46 is a testament to her resilience and determination. Her decision to invest her winnings wisely is a commendable move, ensuring financial security for her future and her growing family. The news of her pregnancy adds an extra layer of joy and fulfillment to her journey.

Petty's story highlights the importance of planning for the future while embracing the present. Her decision to save for retirement, despite her relatively young age, is a wise financial move that will pay dividends in the long run. Additionally, her plans to take an extended maternity leave to focus on her family demonstrate her priorities and values. As she embarks on this new chapter in her life, Petty serves as an inspiration for others to strive for their dreams while balancing their personal and financial responsibilities.