The Tragic Truth Behind Sue Aikens’ Life Below Zero: A Survivor’s Battle Against the Odds!

Sue Aikens, the fierce and determined star of the reality show “Life Below Zero,” has captivated audiences with her survival skills and unyielding spirit.

However, behind the scenes, Sue’s life has been marked by tragedy and hardship that few viewers fully understand.

Her journey, from a tumultuous childhood to life-threatening encounters in the wild, paints a picture of a woman who has confronted adversity at every turn.

Born on July 6, 1963, in Mount Prospect, Illinois, Sue’s early life was anything but stable.

Her mother, Neyoka, was just 19 when she gave birth, and the family struggled financially.

Sue’s father worked long hours at a factory, leaving little time for family connection.

As a child, Sue often found herself neglected, learning early on that she needed to fend for herself.

The cracks in her family life became apparent when her parents divorced.

Sue witnessed her mother struggle to make ends meet, often counting coins just to buy groceries.

They moved into a small apartment above a laundromat, where the noise and chaos mirrored their unstable existence.

By the age of three, Sue’s mother remarried a man named Eddie, whose alcoholism brought further turmoil into their lives.

Sue learned to navigate a household filled with fear and violence, developing instincts that would later serve her well in the wilderness.

At the age of four, Sue was diagnosed with dyslexia, which made her school experience particularly challenging.

The bullying she faced from classmates only compounded her feelings of isolation.

However, rather than allowing these struggles to define her, Sue resolved to become strong in other ways.

When her family moved to a farmhouse in Woodstock, Illinois, she found solace in the surrounding woods, learning survival skills that would become invaluable in her later life.

When Sue turned 11, her mother made a dramatic decision to move the family to Alaska.

This abrupt transition thrust Sue into a world of frozen wilderness, far removed from the city life she had known.

By her teenage years, Sue had become resourceful and independent, learning to fly a small plane and adapting to the harsh realities of life in Alaska.

In her late teens, Sue returned to Illinois, where she met Eddie Mallerie, a construction worker.

They married after a whirlwind romance, but the relationship quickly soured as Eddie’s drinking escalated into violence.

Sue found herself trapped in an abusive marriage, especially after giving birth to their daughter Joanna, who faced significant health challenges.

Sue’s experience as a caregiver during Eddie’s battle with a terminal brain tumor was both a testament to her resilience and a harrowing chapter in her life.

After Eddie’s death, Sue sought a fresh start, moving to the remote wilderness of Alaska.

She pitched a tent near a river and faced her first major challenge when a rabid wolf attacked her camp.

In a desperate fight for survival, Sue killed the wolf, an act that marked her transformation into a true Alaskan survivor.

This incident earned her respect from the local community, and she began to establish herself as a skilled fur trapper and bush pilot.

Sue’s life in the Alaskan wilderness was fraught with danger and hardship.

She endured a serious plane crash, fought against the elements, and faced numerous physical injuries.

Her determination to survive led her to create a successful guiding service, where she led wealthy clients on hunting trips in the Arctic.

Despite the challenges, Sue built a thriving camp at Kavik, where she operated a successful business catering to oil workers and hunters.

However, the pressures of reality television began to take a toll on Sue.

In 2015, she suffered a devastating snow machine accident while filming for “Life Below Zero,” resulting in severe injuries that required extensive medical treatment.

The producers’ decision to prioritize filming over her safety during her recovery led to a contentious lawsuit, where Sue exposed the dark side of reality TV, including staged events and unsafe working conditions.

The fallout from the lawsuit was significant, leading to a public outcry from fans who were shocked to learn that producers had labeled Sue as “expendable.

” This revelation sparked a movement among viewers, with many threatening to quit watching the show unless changes were made.

Sue’s advocacy for safety regulations in the reality TV industry highlighted the need for better protections for cast members, particularly those working in extreme environments.

Tragedy struck again in March 2023 when Sue lost her 20-year-old granddaughter, Drew, unexpectedly.

The emotional toll of this loss was compounded by the passing of her mother, Neyoka, just months later.

In the wake of these personal tragedies, Sue shared her mother’s hidden struggles with abuse, revealing a history of pain that had long been kept in silence.

Despite these challenges, Sue has continued to forge ahead.

After undergoing major spinal surgery due to years of physical strain from her lifestyle, she remains committed to her work and her passion for survival.

In the face of potential legal battles over her camp lease, Sue is determined to protect her legacy and the life she has built in the wilderness.

As of 2025, Sue Aikens has not only survived but thrived, turning her experiences into opportunities for growth and education.

She has launched a wilderness school, teaching others the skills necessary to navigate the Alaskan wilderness safely.

Her memoir, “Call of the Wild,” has resonated with readers, offering insights into her life that have never before been shared on screen.

Sue’s journey is a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the will to survive against all odds.

Her story is not just one of survival in the wild, but also of resilience in the face of personal tragedy, making her a true inspiration to many.

As she continues to navigate the challenges of life in Alaska, Sue Aikens remains a symbol of courage and determination, proving that even in the harshest conditions, hope and strength can prevail.