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Her family, her parents' sacrifices, and the American dream kept Dee Valladares, a 26-year-old Cuban entrepreneur living in Miami, pushing through 26 days on Survivor. A final push on the season 45 finale showed Valladares emerging as the sole survivor and winner of the one million dollar prize.
"I always thought about my parents, lows and highs. In my head, it was Low: I got to push through for them, and on the highs, I wished they were here to witness all of this," Valladares tells New Times over Zoom. "Everything I always do, family is at the root. I think it helped because anytime I thought of almost giving up on challenges, I just thought of them, and I'm like,I can't give up; they're watching me."
Valladares has been hustling her entire life. Her family immigrated from Cuba to the U.S. when she was 2; she's been working since she was 14; and in 2019, she launched her backpack company, Wanaroam, inspired by her backpacking adventures. Now, one million dollars richer, Valladares wants to invest her money, give back to her family, and help her parents retire.
About a year ago, Valladares decided to send in her application video to be on Survivor.
"My best friend was like, 'Dee,...