'Survivor' Star Rudy Boesch's Family Speaks Out After Rumors Circulate That He's Died

From Country Living

• Social media users claimed Survivor season 1 competitor Rudy Boesch had died.

• Rudy is very much alive, though he is battling Alzheimer’s according to his family.

Many remember Rudy Boesch from his time on Survivor. He was featured on season 1 when he was 72, reportedly making him the oldest competitor in the show’s history.

So you can imagine longtime fans’ shock when they started hearing rumors that Rudy had passed away. Twitter was ablaze with viewers expressing their condolences for the now 91-year-old. They paid tribute to the retired Navy SEAL, calling him a “trailblazer and icon,” and continued to spread the news that Rudy had died.

As it turns out, the information was inaccurate and Rudy is very much alive. His daughter confirmed to TMZ that he’s living in a Virginia Beach assisted-living facility. Though he suffers from Alzheimer’s and needs “round-the-clock care,” he isn’t “necessarily at the end stage.”

Kelsey Messerian, who says she is Rudy’s only granddaughter, also sent out a tweet in response to writer Martin Holmes about the social media frenzy.

“He is still alive, but in hospice care. His condition is slowly declining,” she said. “My family is staying positive and trying to hope for the best.”

Richard Hatch, winner of season 1, dispelled the misinformation, as well.

It’s unclear exactly how the information started spreading, but account Survivor Reddit apologized for their part in the matter.

“We have deleted an earlier tweet regarding Rudy Boesch due to an inaccurate source,” they wrote. “Rudy is still alive, and we wish him, his family, and his friends best wishes in this time of grieving. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.”

So, in summary: You can’t believe everything you read!

You Might Also Like

• 60+ Grilling Recipes for an Epic Summer Cookout

• The Best Reese Witherspoon Movies, Ranked

• 70 Impressive Tiny Houses That Maximize Function and Style