Happy announcement 🤯 Survivor 49 runner-up star Sophi Balerdi drops bombshell about her first son on her 5-year anniversary with fiancé Gabriel “Gabe” Gonzalez !!

Heartwarming news is coming from the Survivor 49 family! Sophi Balerdi, the runner-up of the hit CBS reality series, has officially welcomed her first child with longtime boyfriend and fiancé Gabriel “Gabe” Gonzalez—marking an unforgettable milestone that coincides perfectly with the couple’s five-year anniversary together.

The 27-year-old Miami-based entrepreneur shared the joyful update with fans in early 2026, calling the moment “the most meaningful celebration of our love so far.” According to those close to the couple, the baby’s arrival on their anniversary felt symbolic, representing both the past five years they’ve built together and the new chapter now beginning as a family.

Sophi and Gabe first began dating in January 2021, and throughout her Survivor 49 journey, she frequently credited him as her best friend, emotional anchor, and biggest supporter. Even while competing in Fiji under intense physical and mental pressure, Sophi spoke openly about how thoughts of her future with Gabe motivated her to keep pushing forward.

Fans will remember Sophi as a fierce and strategic player who rose from the struggling Kele tribe to reach the Final Tribal Council, ultimately finishing second behind winner Savannah Louie. Outside the game, she is a successful businesswoman who owns three mobile phone repair franchises and holds a master’s degree in business from Duke University.

Gabe Gonzalez, though not a public figure himself, has become a familiar and beloved presence to Sophi’s followers. He has often appeared in her social media posts and has been warmly embraced by members of the Survivor 49 cast. The couple officially announced their engagement in July 2025, just before the season aired, and had been planning a 2026 wedding.

While details about their newborn—such as name and exact birth date—are being kept private, fans have flooded social media with congratulatory messages, praising the couple’s love story and the perfect timing of their growing family.

From reality TV highs to real-life happiness, Sophi Balerdi and Gabriel Gonzalez are celebrating five years of love in the most beautiful way possible—by becoming parents. 💕