Sue Aikens endures -50°F temperatures alone at Kavik River Camp, located 500 miles from the nearest city. Sue Aikens has become a well-known figure on National Geographic’s Life Below Zero. But how much money has she made from her TV fame and other ventures? Sue Aikens has built a net worth of approximately $500,000, earning about $4,500 per episode of her popular TV show.
Here’s how Sue Aikens built her income while living in remote Alaska.
How Much Is Sue Aikens Net Worth?
Sue Aikens’ net worth sits at approximately $500,000. This figure comes from reliable financial tracking sources, though estimates vary across different publications. Some sources have reported figures reaching up to $2 million, but most credible estimates place her wealth around the half-million mark.
Why do these numbers differ so much? Sue’s wealth comes from several sources that aren’t always public knowledge. Her TV contracts are private, and her Kavik River Camp business fluctuates with Alaska’s harsh seasons. Unlike celebrities who flash their wealth on social media, Sue lives modestly in the remote Alaskan wilderness, making her financial status harder to track.
Since her TV debut, Sue’s income has increased due to her business decisions and popularity.
As Life Below Zero has maintained its popularity, Sue’s value as a cast member has likely increased, potentially improving her per-episode compensation over time.
Several factors affect Sue’s year-to-year income fluctuations:
- The number of episodes produced each season
- Weather conditions affecting camp operating days
- Tourism trends impacting visitor numbers
- Fuel price changes affecting camp revenue
- Equipment replacement needs
Despite these variables, Sue has maintained financial stability while living in circumstances where financial miscalculations could have life-threatening consequences.
Life Below Zero
Sue Aikens rose to fame as one of the main stars of National Geographic’s Life Below Zero series, which began airing in 2013. The show follows the daily struggles and triumphs of people living in remote areas of Alaska, battling extreme weather and isolation.
For each episode of Life Below Zero, Sue reportedly earns around $4,500. With multiple episodes per season and several seasons under her belt, this TV income forms a substantial part of her earnings. The show typically produces 10-20 episodes per year, meaning Sue can earn between $45,000 and $90,000 annually from filming alone.
Among the cast members, Sue ranks among the highest-paid personalities on the show. Her authentic character, survival skills, and compelling personal story have made her a fan favorite, increasing her value to the network. Unlike many reality TV stars whose fame fades quickly, Sue has maintained her presence on the show for over a decade, creating a consistent income.
Who Is Sue Aikens?
Born on July 1, 1963, in Chicago, Illinois, Sue Aikens had an unusual childhood. She moved to Alaska when she was just 12 years old, where she began learning the survival skills that would later define her life. Now at 61 years old (as of 2025), Sue has spent most of her life in the Last Frontier.
Sue runs Kavik River Camp, a remote outpost located 500 miles from the nearest city and about 12 miles from the Arctic Ocean. This isolated camp serves as both her home and business, hosting hunters, researchers, and adventure seekers during Alaska’s brief summer season.
What makes Sue truly remarkable is her self-sufficiency. She lives alone for most of the year, managing everything from power generation to protection from wildlife without assistance. Her survival skills include hunting, fishing, equipment maintenance, and first aid—all necessary for someone living so far from help.
Career Highlights
Sue’s television career started before Life Below Zero. She made appearances on other Alaska-themed shows including “Flying Wild Alaska” and “Sarah Palin’s Alaska,” which helped build her reputation as a genuine Alaskan character.
The biggest turning point came in 2013 when National Geographic launched Life Below Zero. Sue quickly became one of the show’s standout personalities, drawing viewers with her no-nonsense attitude and incredible resilience. Her memorable moments include surviving a bear attack and weathering brutal winter storms alone.
Beyond television, Sue has owned and operated Kavik River Camp since 1998. The camp serves as a fueling station and accommodation for researchers, hunters, and tourists visiting the remote North Slope of Alaska. This business requires tremendous work, but provides Sue with income outside of her television appearances.
- Television Salary: At approximately $4,500 per episode of Life Below Zero, Sue’s TV work provides a significant portion of her income. The show typically films seasonally, working around Alaska’s extreme weather conditions. With approximately 15 episodes per season, Sue can earn around $67,500 annually from the show.
- Kavik River Camp Revenue: During the brief Arctic summer (June through September), Sue’s camp generates income through accommodations, fuel sales, and guide services. Guests pay around $350 per night for room and board. With limited capacity but high demand during peak season, this business generates significant seasonal income.
- Speaking Engagements: Sue occasionally travels to the “Lower 48” for speaking events where she shares her unique life experiences. These engagements can pay between $5,000 and $15,000, depending on the venue and audience.
- Book Royalties: While not primarily known as an author, Sue has contributed to books about Alaska and survival skills, providing another modest income stream.
- Merchandise Sales: Sue sells branded merchandise related to both her brand and Kavik River Camp, including clothing, books, and survival gear. This revenue stream, while smaller than her TV salary, helps diversify her income.
Sue also earns money through occasional speaking engagements where she shares her unique life experiences and survival wisdom. Though not a prolific author, she has contributed to books about Alaska and survival, adding book royalties to her income streams.
Lifestyle in the Arctic
Living at Kavik River Camp comes with extraordinary expenses that most people never encounter. Simply getting supplies to the remote location requires expensive air transportation. A single supply flight can cost thousands of dollars, making everyday items much more expensive than in urban areas.
Maintaining essential systems like heat, power, and communications in Arctic conditions requires specialized equipment and constant maintenance. Sue must keep everything functioning herself, from generators to satellite systems, as repair services are hundreds of miles away.
Medical costs also factor into Sue’s financial picture. She famously survived a bear attack that required extensive medical treatment and rehabilitation. Without nearby medical facilities, any serious injury or illness means expensive emergency evacuation by air ambulance, which can cost $50,000 or more per trip.
Despite these challenges, Sue’s lifestyle also allows her to avoid many expenses common in urban areas. She hunts and gathers much of her food, pays no property taxes on her leased land, and has minimal transportation costs during much of the year when travel is impossible anyway.
Age and Personal Life
At 61 years old (born July 1, 1963), Sue has created a life far different from most people her age. Rather than preparing for retirement in a comfortable setting, she continues to embrace the physical challenges of Arctic living.
Sue Aikens has been married three times. Her first husband died of a brain tumor, and her second husband passed away in 2004 after 17 years of marriage. She has two adult children. Her partner, Michael Heinrich, occasionally appears on Life Below Zero and helps with projects at Kavik River Camp.
While many people her age worry about retirement communities, Sue focuses on sustaining her independent lifestyle as long as possible. This perspective shapes her financial decisions and priorities, making security and self-sufficiency more important than luxury.
Legal and Controversial
In 2017, Sue filed a lawsuit against the producers of Life Below Zero, claiming they put her in dangerous situations for dramatic effect. The suit alleged that production crew members forced her to drive over thin ice and snowmobile in dangerous conditions, leading to injuries and emotional distress.
The legal action raised questions about reality TV production ethics and potentially affected Sue’s income. While the exact settlement details remain private, the lawsuit was eventually resolved, and Sue continued appearing on the show under presumably improved conditions.
These legal issues highlight the complex relationship between Sue’s television career and personal safety. Unlike many reality TV personalities who face contrived drama, Sue’s challenges are life-threatening, creating unique contractual and ethical considerations.
Final Thoughts
Sue Aikens has built a $500,000 net worth through an unusual combination of television work, remote hospitality, and genuine survival skills. Unlike celebrities who inherit wealth or achieve overnight fame, Sue’s financial story reflects decades of hard work in one of Earth’s most unforgiving environments.
Her $4,500 per-episode salary from Life Below Zero, combined with seasonal income from Kavik River Camp, has allowed her to achieve financial security while maintaining her fiercely independent lifestyle.
Sue’s wealth may not match Hollywood celebrities or business tycoons, but it represents something perhaps more valuable: the freedom to live life entirely on her terms, hundreds of miles from civilization. For someone who values independence and self-sufficiency above comfort, Sue Aikens may be one of the richest people alive.