Ben Driebergen Wife: Who Is He Married To? (2026)
Ben Driebergen, the winner of Survivor: Heroes vs. Healers vs. Hustlers, is married to Kelly Driebergen (née Kelly Russell). The couple married on October 10, 2013, and has two children: son Wyatt and daughter Gracie. Born Benjamin Russell Driebergen on January 1, 1983, in Boise, Idaho, Ben is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran who served in Iraq before becoming a reality-TV champion. He met Kelly while working at a bar after leaving the Marines, and has said she "kept him calmed down" as he battled PTSD. The family lives in Boise, Idaho, where Ben works as a real estate agent.
Who Is Kelly Driebergen?
Kelly Russell met Ben after his Marine Corps service, when he was working at a bar and reconnecting with his father. Ben's grandfather revealed that Ben told him Kelly "kept him calmed down" during his worst PTSD episodes. Ben proposed to Kelly after the birth of their son Wyatt. Kelly appeared on Survivor during the loved-ones visit on Day 31 of Heroes vs. Healers vs. Hustlers, and Ben has repeatedly credited his wife and kids as his purpose: "You have to have a sense of purpose. For me, it's my wife and kids. To be able to provide for them, something that winning Survivor has ensured for me, that's an amazing feeling."
Marriage Timeline
Ben and Kelly married on October 10, 2013 — four years before Ben's Survivor victory. Their son Wyatt was born before the wedding (Ben proposed after Wyatt's birth), and daughter Gracie followed. When Ben left to film Survivor in 2017, Wyatt was about 8 and Gracie about 6. After winning the $1 million prize, Ben said he planned to save it for his children's college fund. The marriage has now lasted over 12 years, spanning Ben's Survivor win, his return for Winners at War (2020), and his appearances on The Challenge: USA and The Challenge: World Championship.
Children
Ben and Kelly have two children: son Wyatt and daughter Gracie. Ben has been open about how fatherhood gave him direction after his difficult transition from military to civilian life. He told Shrink Tank that providing for his wife and kids is his core motivation, and he hopes his Survivor platform helps fellow veterans struggling with PTSD.
Survivor Career
Ben Driebergen won Survivor: Heroes vs. Healers vs. Hustlers (season 35, 2017) with a 5-2-1 jury vote over Chrissy Hofbeck and Ryan Ulrich, overcoming early minority status with brilliant idol plays — including successfully playing an idol to negate all votes against him at a critical tribal council. At his final tribal council, he opened up about his PTSD, hoping to show veterans "that while life after the military is difficult, there is more to look forward to." He returned for Winners at War (season 40, 2020), where he praised Michele Fitzgerald's Kaôh Rōng win as a "fellow controversial winner" before voting for Tony Vlachos. Before fame, Ben graduated from Capital High School (Boise, 2001), enlisted in the Marines, served in Iraq as a Lance Corporal — once protecting an elderly civilian couple in Fallujah for a week — and worked in a grocery warehouse at the time of his casting.
FAQ
Who is Ben Driebergen married to?
Ben is married to Kelly Driebergen (née Kelly Russell). They wed on October 10, 2013.
How many children does Ben Driebergen have?
Two: son Wyatt and daughter Gracie.
Which Survivor season did Ben Driebergen win?
Survivor: Heroes vs. Healers vs. Hustlers (season 35, 2017), winning 5-2-1 over Chrissy Hofbeck and Ryan Ulrich.
Was Ben Driebergen in the military?
Yes. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps in Iraq as a Lance Corporal and has spoken openly about his PTSD.
What does Ben Driebergen do now?
He works as a real estate agent in Boise, Idaho, and advocates for veterans' mental health.
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