Sue Aikens and the personal trials behind her frontier lifestyle
The bear was hiding in a riverbank that I couldn’t see, and he snatched me up, dragged me into the tundra.
Few reality TV stars have survived what Sue Aikens has. Years before becoming a familiar face on Life Below Zero, the Alaskan outdoorswoman survived a brutal grizzly bear attack that left her badly injured in the wilderness. The experience showed the resilience that would later make her one of the show’s most compelling stars.
Source: Getty Images
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Key takeaways
- Sue Aikens has faced numerous personal trials while maintaining her challenging frontier lifestyle in Alaska.
- She balances running the remote Kavik River Camp with preserving her independence and adapting to the harsh Arctic environment.
- Though she stepped back from Life Below Zero, Aikens continues to live authentically in the wilderness and manage her camp on her own terms.
Profile summary
Full name | Susan Aikens |
Gender | Female |
Date of birth | 1 July 1963 |
Age | 63 years (as of 2026) |
Zodiac sign | Cancer |
Place of birth | Illinois, United States |
Current residence | Alaska, United States |
Nationality | American |
Ethnicity | White |
Religion | Christianity |
Sexuality | Straight |
Height | 5'5" (165 cm) |
Weight | 169 lbs (77 kgs) |
Hair colour | Grey |
Eye colour | Brown |
Relationship status | In a relationship |
Partner | Michael G Heinrich |
Children | 2 |
School | Lowell Whiteman School |
Profession | Reality television star, producer, entrepreneur |
Sue Aikens' biography
Sue Aikens is, undoubtedly, an extraordinary woman. Her survival techniques, courage, determination, and perseverance portrayed in the Alaskan wild always amaze many.
Her parents separated between the late 1960s and early 1970s. At the time, younger Sue Aikens was around 12 years old. Speaking in an interview on The Ellen Show, she told Melissa McCarthy,
And between the late '60s and early '70s, mom wanted to leave dad. Divorce was happening; it was not popular back then. So, she gave me a paper bag and said we're moving to Alaska.
Growing up, she moved from one place to another. Fortunately enough, she was able to graduate from high school at the age of 13. Later, she learned how to fly an aeroplane.
How old is Sue from Kavik?
As of 2026, Sue Aikens' age is 63 years. Her zodiac sign is Cancer.
Source: Original
What does Sue Aikens do for a living?
Sue has had an exciting career on TV. Since making her debut, she has become a favorite among viewers who admire her resilience and adventurous lifestyle. Many of her followers recognize her for her role on Life Below Zero.
The reality documentary series follows people living in remote areas of Alaska and the challenges they face in surviving in extreme conditions. Sue is known for running the Kavik River Camp, a remote camp in northern Alaska where she lives and works while also hosting visitors and researchers.
Since the show premiered in 2013 on National Geographic, it has grown significantly. As of 2025, the series ran for 23 seasons and more than 320 episodes before ending.
The show has also been critically acclaimed. Over the years, it received multiple Emmy nominations and won several awards, particularly for its cinematography and editing.
Her life in the Alaskan wild has not been an easy one. She has faced many dangers over the years. Sue Aikens once survived a brutal grizzly bear attack near her remote camp. She was badly injured and had to wait nearly 10 days for rescue while keeping watch for the animal. The attack later required hip surgery. Even so, it did not stop her from appearing on Life Below Zero.
In 2018, Sue Aikens said she was thinking about leaving her long‑time home at Kavik River Camp. She said she wanted a backup plan in case the government ever decided to take back the land. She also said her age and the challenges of Arctic life were part of her thinking.
Since then, she has not permanently moved away. Sue still lives at and runs the Kavik River Camp in Alaska.
Besides Life Below Zero, she has appeared in several other adventurous TV shows. They include:
Year | TV series |
2010 | Sarah Palin's Alaska |
2011-2012 | Flying Wild Alaska |
2014 | Fox and Friends |
2014 | Access Daily |
2014 | The Joe Rogan Experience |
2015 | Today |
2019 | The Ellen DeGeneres Show |
2013-2023 | Life Below Zero |
What did Sue Aikens do before Life Below Zero?
At that time, Sue actively pursued an acting career, appearing in numerous TV series and reality shows. Additionally, she took on the roles of a Station Agent and Supervisor in four episodes of the TV series Flying Wild Alaska.
What is Sue Aikens' net worth?
Her net worth is unknown. However, she is believed to have earned most of her income from her long-running appearance on Life Below Zero. In addition to television, Aikens reportedly makes money from operating Kavik River Camp, a remote camp in northern Alaska. She hosts travelers, researchers, and hunters.
How much does Sue Aikens make on Life Below Zero?
Bearing in mind that she was in the main cast, her pay was impressive. Reports have it that she makes around $4,500 per episode. She was among the highest-paid cast members on the show.
Is Sue Aikens married?
Sue Aikens is not married, but she is in a relationship with Michael G Heinrich.
Source: Getty Images
She has been married before. The Nat Geo star's first husband allegedly succumbed to a brain tumour. There is little about him in the public domain, including his name.
Later, she married Eddie James. The couple was together for around 17 years before Eddie passed away in 2004.
How many kids does Sue Aiken have?
Sue’s marriage to her late husband produced two children: a son and a daughter.
Where is Sue Aikens today?
The television producer lives in northern Alaska. She runs the remote Kavik River Camp there. She is also credited as an executive producer on the 2022 film Panama. The film features actors such as Mel Gibson and Cole Hauser.
What happened to Sue Aikens?
In 2020, Sue Aikens lost around 75 pounds (35 kilograms). As a result, fans assumed she underwent surgery to achieve weight loss, but these are just speculations.
Is Sue Aikens still alive?
Yes, Sue Aikens is alive. Reports of her death are rumors with no reliable evidence, and she continues to live and work in Alaska.
Why did Sue leave Life Below Zero?
Sue Aikens stepped back from Life Below Zero because she wanted to focus more on her business, her life outside the show, and her health. She had not been a regular cast member in recent seasons, though she has made occasional guest appearances.
Quick facts about Sue Aikens
- The reality TV actress is of native North American heritage.
- Sue has been living along the Kavik River for more than two decades.
- She resides nearly 200 miles north of the Arctic Circle.
- She runs Kavik River Camp, a remote outpost that hosts scientists, hunters, and adventure travelers.
- Winter temperatures in her area can drop to -50°F (-45°C).
- She has survived several life-threatening incidents, including a grizzly bear attack.
- Her home is so remote that supplies often arrive by small bush planes.
- Many fans know her from the survival series Life Below Zero.
Sue Aikens has made a name for herself in the entertainment world through reality television, particularly on Life Below Zero. Living in the harsh tundra, she survives extreme weather and dangerous wildlife. Her resilience and determination have inspired and impressed many fans.
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