Sue Aikens is a famous American television personality, wilderness survivalist, and businesswoman who rose to fame as one of the original cast members of National Geographic’s Emmy-winning documentary series Life Below Zero. She is known for living alone at the Kavik River Camp, located 197 miles north of the Arctic Circle in Alaska, where she operates a remote wilderness lodge while facing extreme weather conditions and wildlife encounters. Her survival story and resilient personality have made her one of the most beloved reality TV stars in America.
Sue Aikens Wikipedia
| Field | Details |
| Full name | Susan Aikens |
| Gender | Female |
| Date of birth | July 1, 1963 |
| Age | 62 years old (as of January 2026) |
| Place of birth | Mount Prospect, Illinois, United States |
| Current residence | Alaska, United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | White (Caucasian) |
| Zodiac sign | Cancer |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Sexual orientation | Straight |
| Height | 5 feet 5 inches (165 cm) |
| Weight | 169 lbs (77 kg) |
| Hair colour | Grey |
| Eye colour | Brown |
| Marital status | In a relationship |
| Partner | Michael G Heinrich |
| Children | 2 (son and daughter) |
| Grandchildren | Several |
| Profession | Television personality, entrepreneur, wilderness survivalist, lodge owner |
| Net worth | $500,000 (estimated) |
| Social media | Instagram (@sueaikens), TikTok (@sraikens) |
Who is Sue Aikens?
Sue Aikens is a 62-year-old American television personality who became a household name through her appearance on National Geographic’s Life Below Zero.
She lives as the sole resident of Kavik River Camp, a remote wilderness lodge situated 80 miles from the nearest road and 197 miles north of the Arctic Circle.
The camp serves as a base for hunters, adventurers, and emergency services in one of the most isolated and harsh environments on Earth.
Born in Mount Prospect, Illinois, Sue experienced an unsettled childhood, moving frequently from place to place.
Her mother relocated her to Alaska at a young age but later abandoned her to pursue her own life, forcing Sue to learn survival skills from necessity.
She completed high school at just 13 years old through an accelerated learning program at Lowell Whiteman School, showing her exceptional intelligence from a young age.
Sue has become the face of Life Below Zero, appearing in more than 200 episodes from 2013 through 2025 when the show concluded after 23 seasons.
Her motto, “If it hurts, don’t think about it,” perfectly captures her tough-as-nails approach to surviving temperatures that can drop to 60 degrees below zero.
She has survived a brutal grizzly bear attack, multiple injuries, and countless life-threatening situations while maintaining her camp alone for months at a time.
How old is Sue Aikens? Age and birthday
Sue Aikens is 62 years old as of January 2026. She was born on July 1, 1963, at Holy Family Hospital in Mount Prospect, Illinois. Her zodiac sign is Cancer.
She celebrated her 62nd birthday in July 2025, referring to herself proudly as a “Hot Great Grandma” on her social media.
Sue Aikens’ height, weight, and body measurements
Sue Aikens stands 5 feet 5 inches tall (165 cm) and weighs around 169 pounds (77 kg). She has grey hair and brown eyes.
The television star underwent an impressive weight loss transformation in 2019-2020, losing approximately 75 pounds through commitment to a healthier lifestyle, clean eating, and regular exercise.
She achieved this transformation in her late 50s without surgery, instead focusing on cutting carbohydrates, eating clean vegetables and protein, and staying physically active through her demanding wilderness lifestyle.
Career: From wilderness survivor to television star
Early life and Alaska beginnings
Sue Aikens was born in Chicago, Illinois, and spent her early years moving from place to place with her family. Her mother brought her to Alaska in the late 1960s or early 1970s when Sue was still a child.
The move would change the course of her life forever. When her mother abandoned her in Alaska to pursue her own interests, young Sue faced a choice: learn to survive or perish. She chose survival.
An older Alaska resident gave her critical advice that became her guiding principle: “You better learn how to hunt, girl, or you’re going to starve.”
Sue took those words to heart and spent years learning wilderness survival skills, hunting, fishing, and adapting to Alaska’s brutal environment.
She lived in various locations across Alaska, learning the land and developing the resilience that would later make her famous.
Kavik River Camp ownership
Sue came to Kavik River Camp when the previous owner asked her to manage the remote facility. Once she arrived and saw the potential, she realized she could rehabilitate and operate it herself.
She took ownership of the camp, which originally served as an oil exploration base during Alaska’s early energy prospecting days.
The camp sits directly adjacent to the Kavik River, just a few miles from the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
Kavik River Camp operates as a wilderness lodge, providing lodging for hunters, tourists, and adventurers who want to experience the Arctic.
The camp also serves as a pivotal emergency services point for planes and people traveling through the region.
Sue lives there alone from September through June each year, maintaining the facilities, managing guests during hunting season, and ensuring the airstrip remains operational for emergency landings.
Life Below Zero stardom
Sue Aikens became one of the original cast members when Life Below Zero premiered on National Geographic in May 2013.
The show documented the daily lives of subsistence hunters living in remote Alaska, far from civilization.
Sue quickly became a fan favorite, with her straightforward personality, dark humor, and remarkable survival skills captivating audiences worldwide.
She appeared in more than 200 episodes across 23 seasons, sharing her isolated life at Kavik with millions of viewers.
The show won multiple Emmy Awards and became one of National Geographic’s most successful series.
Sue shared the screen with other Alaska residents including Chip and Agnes Hailstone, Ricko DeWilde, Andy Bassich, and Jessie Holmes.
The series concluded in February 2025 after 23 seasons, with National Geographic not renewing it for a 24th season.
Cast member Chip Hailstone confirmed publicly that “Life Below Zero has run its course.” Sue remained with the show throughout its entire run, making her one of the longest-serving cast members.
Other television appearances
Beyond Life Below Zero, Sue has appeared on other television programs. She made appearances on Flying Wild Alaska (2011) and had a role in the film Panama (2022).
She works as a producer on some projects and has become a sought-after speaker, sharing her survival stories and philosophy at events across the country.
What is Sue Aikens’ net worth and salary?
As of 2026, Sue Aikens’ net worth is estimated at $500,000. She ranks among the highest-paid cast members from Life Below Zero. During her time on the show, Sue earned approximately $4,500 per episode.
With the show producing around 13 episodes per season at its peak, her annual salary from the program alone reached over $58,000, not including income from her Kavik River Camp business.
Sue built her fortune through multiple income sources. Her primary earnings come from:
Television appearances: Her salary from Life Below Zero formed a significant part of her income for over a decade. Cast members on the show typically earned between $2,000 and $4,500 per episode, with Sue at the higher end of that range.
Kavik River Camp operations: Sue owns and operates Kavik River Camp, which generates income from hunters, tourists, and adventurers who pay to stay at the remote facility. The lodge charges premium rates due to its unique location and the services Sue provides.
Speaking engagements: Sue has become a popular speaker, sharing her survival stories and life philosophy at events and conferences.
Product line: Sue has launched a line of outdoor gear and apparel, capitalizing on her fame and expertise in wilderness survival.
Wildlife photography: As a wildlife photographer, Sue sells images and licenses her photography work.
Is Sue Aikens married? Husband, partner, relationship status, and children
Current relationship status
Sue Aikens is currently in a long-distance relationship with Michael G Heinrich. While some sources refer to him as her fiancé or partner, there is no confirmed evidence of a legal marriage between them as of 2026.
Michael is a New York native who works as an electrician. The couple makes their long-distance relationship work despite Sue living in remote Alaska while Michael resides on the East Coast.
Sue has shared glimpses of their relationship on social media, posting photos with Michael and expressing her love for him.
In one Instagram post from 2020, she wrote, “You have to stop and make time to give a moment to your sweetie. Long distances can be tough, but we both make it work. Love you sweetie.”
The couple appears to visit each other when Sue leaves Alaska and during Michael’s trips to visit her.
Previous marriages
Sue Aikens has been married twice before her current relationship. Her first husband died from brain cancer, leaving her a widow at a relatively young age. The loss was devastating, but Sue pushed forward, relying on her survival instincts and resilience.
She later married Eddie James Aikens and lived with him in Oregon. The couple had two children together, a son and a daughter.
Eddie attempted to adapt to the wilderness lifestyle in Alaska with Sue, but after 17 years of marriage, he could not sustain living in such harsh conditions. The couple divorced in 2004. Eddie James Aikens reportedly passed away some years later.
Children and family
Sue has two children from her second marriage, a son and a daughter, both of whom live elsewhere in the United States.
She rarely sees them due to her isolated lifestyle at Kavik River Camp. Despite the physical distance, Sue maintains a close relationship with her children and speaks about them with obvious pride and love.
Sue is also a grandmother to several grandchildren and, as of 2025, became a great-grandmother.
She posted on Instagram in November 2025, meeting her great-granddaughter for the first time, captioning the moment with joy: “When you and your great grand daughter meet for the first time #checkmeout #greatgrandma #sueaikens #alaska #loveislove.” In December 2025, she welcomed another great-grandchild to the family, expressing her love and excitement on social media.
Her family remains her greatest joy, though she balances her love for them with her need for the solitary, challenging life she has built in the Arctic.
Sue Aikens’ survival stories and challenges
Grizzly bear attack
One of the most harrowing experiences of Sue’s life occurred when she was attacked by a grizzly bear at Kavik River Camp.
The attack happened around 2007-2008, and Sue faced the ordeal completely alone, miles from any medical help.
The bear mauled her severely, causing deep lacerations to her head, arm, and back. The bear dislocated both of Sue’s hips during the attack.
After the bear finally left, Sue faced a critical decision: she could either succumb to her injuries or save herself. She chose to fight.
With no one to help her, Sue stitched her own scalp back together using basic supplies. She sewed the wounds on her arm and worked to prevent infection.
Before her dislocated hips could cause permanent damage, she managed to cross the river to get help. She later had to reset the dislocated hips herself.
Sue credits her survival to her mindset: “If it hurts, don’t think about it.” She refuses to dwell on pain or fear, instead focusing entirely on the practical steps needed to survive.
The bear attack left physical and emotional scars, but Sue returned to Kavik River Camp and continued living her isolated life.
Other injuries and accidents
Sue has faced numerous other life-threatening situations during her time in Alaska. She survived a serious snowmobile crash during filming for Life Below Zero, which led to a lawsuit against the production company.
Sue claimed she was forced into a dangerous scene and that the crew prioritized filming over her immediate safety and rescue.
She has also been accidentally shot by a hunter, dealt with extreme frostbite, suffered from equipment failures in deadly cold, and faced countless wildlife encounters with wolves, foxes, and other predators.
Social media presence
Sue Aikens maintains an active presence on social media, connecting with her fans and sharing glimpses of her life in Alaska. As of January 2026, she has approximately 133,000 followers on Instagram (@sueaikens) and 111,800 followers on TikTok (@sraikens).
On Instagram, Sue shares wildlife photography, personal updates, behind-the-scenes moments from her life at Kavik, and family photos.
She describes herself in her bio as “Life Below Zero @natgeo | Wildlife photographer 🏞️ | Kavik River Camp Founder.” Her content includes stunning images of the Arctic landscape, encounters with Arctic foxes and other wildlife, and insights into daily survival tasks.
Her TikTok account features similar content, with videos reaching hundreds of thousands of views. Sue uses the platforms to advocate for wildlife conservation and environmental protection, causes she is passionate about. She also promotes her outdoor gear line and shares her philosophy on resilience and survival.
Fast facts about Sue Aikens
- Early education: Sue graduated from high school at just 13 years old through an accelerated learning program, demonstrating exceptional intelligence from a young age.
- Population of one: Sue is the sole resident of Kavik River Camp for most of the year, living completely alone from September through June.
- Bear attack survival: She survived a grizzly bear attack by stitching her own wounds and resetting her dislocated hips without professional medical help.
- Weight loss transformation: Sue lost 75 pounds in 2019-2020 through clean eating and exercise, achieving the transformation in her late 50s without surgery.
- Emmy-winning show: Life Below Zero, which featured Sue as a main cast member, won multiple Emmy Awards during its 23-season run from 2013-2025.
- Highest-paid cast member: Sue earned approximately $4,500 per episode, making her one of the highest-paid stars on Life Below Zero.
- Great-grandmother: Sue became a great-grandmother in 2025, sharing her joy about meeting her great-granddaughter on social media.
- Kavik River Camp history: The camp Sue operates was originally built as an oil exploration base during Alaska’s early energy prospecting days.
- Distance from civilization: Kavik River Camp sits 80 miles from the nearest road and 197 miles north of the Arctic Circle, in one of the most remote locations in North America.
- Wildlife photographer: Beyond survival, Sue is an accomplished wildlife photographer who captures stunning images of Arctic wildlife and landscapes.
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Wrapping up
Sue Aikens stands as a remarkable example of human resilience, determination, and the ability to thrive in conditions that would defeat most people.
From her abandoned childhood in Alaska to becoming the face of one of National Geographic’s most successful series, Sue has built a life that is uniquely her own.
At 62 years old, she continues to live on her own terms at Kavik River Camp, maintaining her wilderness lodge, photographing wildlife, and inspiring millions with her survival story.
Her net worth of $500,000 reflects not just financial success, but the value audiences place on authentic stories of human endurance and the indomitable spirit.
References
- Wikipedia. “Life Below Zero”.
- Briefly. “Sue Aikens’ biography: net worth, salary, husband, divorce, children, career”.
- The Cinemaholic. “Sue Aikens, Life Below Zero in Alaska”.
- Forbes. “Sue Aikens Shares Challenges And Triumphs Of ‘Life Below Zero’”.
- Kavik River Camp. “About Us”.
- Reality Blurred. “Life Below Zero’s star and showrunner on its end and future”.
- Instagram. “Susan Aikens (@sueaikens)”.
- Distractify. “Sue Aikens’ Weight Loss Journey: The ‘Life Below Zero’ Star Lost 75 Pounds”.
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