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Survivor fans know Brad and Monica Culpepper. Brad appeared on Survivor: Blood vs. Water and was later a runner-up on Survivor: Game Changers, solidifying his place in reality TV history. As for Monica, she appeared on the show before her husband in Survivor: One World, and then played with Brad on Blood vs. Water. Sadly, the couple’s son, Rex Culpepper, died in March 2026, bringing Brad and Monica back into the spotlight. Here’s what to know about the couple’s relationship and kids outside of what they presented on CBS.

Brad and Monica Culpepper are one of the most well-known ‘Survivor’ couples

Survivor has resulted in several blossoming romances through the years, and occasionally, married couples come together to fight for money side by side. Brad and Monica Culpepper are well-known for working together on Survivor: Blood vs. Water, as their strong bond proved helpful in the difficult game. In Brad’s CBS bio, he noted that Monica inspires him, as she’s “selfless in her drive to improve our family.”

So, how did Brad and Monica meet? They reportedly met at the University of Florida in 1990 and married in 1992. Brad played college football and has experience as an NFL veteran. He played for the Minnesota Vikings from 1992 to 1993, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 1994 to 1999, and the Chicago Bears in 2000, where he finished his career. Following football, he became an attorney and founding partner at Culpepper Kurland in Tampa, Florida.

During a past conversation with Parade, Brad mentioned Survivor affecting his work, especially when he had an ongoing lawsuit. “If my clients think I think Survivor is more important than their case? I lose all my money and my clients,” he said. “I could not do any politicking for that. None of my clients knew I was even in it, unless they were huge Survivor fans.”

In the same interview, he also mentioned how he once put the NFL ahead of his relationship with Monica. For that reason, he often said on Blood vs. Water that he was playing for his wife. “I played 10 years in the NFL. I had to put myself and football No. 1 ahead of Monica, ahead of God, and ahead of family,” he admitted. “I don’t think I realized it until I was done. The sacrifices she had to make … first of all, if I hadn’t been married to her, I would have played two years, not 10.”

As for Monica, she loves her life with Brad by her side. During an interview with Reality Wanted, she described her strong work ethic and how her kids were proud to see her on Survivor.

“The kids know Mom, I’m a grinder. I grind in life,” she said. “If you need money raised, I’ll get it done and make it happen. Were my kids proud? Hell yeah! Were they surprised? No. It didn’t take me going on Survivor to show them that I’m tough. I wanted to set a good example to win as much as I could. Brad played one of the most selfless games that he could. The moves that he made put me in position to get second place.”

Monica noted that she has no plans to ever return to Survivor, but she enjoyed the ride, especially with her husband by her side.

Their son, Rex Culpepper, died in March 2026

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Brad and Monica Culpepper have three children: Rex, Judge, and Honor. Sadly, Rex Culpepper tragically died in March 2026.

Rex was a former Syracuse quarterback, according to People. He played in 30 games from 2017 to 2020. Rex died at 28 following a dirt bike accident.

“Our Orange family mourns the loss of Rex Culpepper, who passed away this weekend at the age of 28,” Syracuse Football stated on X. “Rex lived his life with endless passion, having overcome cancer at the age of 20 while playing for the Orange. Appearing in 30 games, Rex played football as fierce as he lived life. Our hearts are with the Culpepper family & all those who loved him.”

In 2018, Rex received a testicular cancer diagnosis. He earned the school’s Jim DaRin Courage Award after playing six games the following fall. Before his death, he got engaged to his fiancée, Savanna Morgan, who shared the news on Instagram. The couple had been together for six years.

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