Quick Facts
Biography
Michael Skupin is an American software entrepreneur who is best known for competing on Television show Survivor.
Early life
Michael David Skupin was born on January 29, 1962, in Farmington Hills, Michigan. His father died of cancer when Michael was four. His mother, Mary Louise Skupin, married Clarence Landry when Michael was ten.
Skupin attended Brother Rice High School in Birmingham, Michigan, and later transferred to St. Mary's Preparatory in Orchard Lake, Michigan.
Growing up, Skupin was very athletic and he played tight end and linebacker for his school football team.
In 1984, Skupin earned a B.B.A. degree in business management from Western Michigan University, Michigan.
Career
Technology
Skupin began his career selling copiers for 3M.
In 1992, with his friend, Skupin founded Rhinosoft Interactive, a privately held company in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin. The company publishes and distributes Bible-based software.
Skupin is a Christian. He also founded Michael Skupin Ministries, which helps people fight drug and alcohol addiction.
Later, he also took on a part-time career as a motivational speaker.
Survivor
In 2000, Skupin participated in a widely popular American TV show Survivor, for which he flew to Australia. He was competing with 15 other members for $1 mullion prize and the title of Sole Survivor. He became the leader of the tribe almost immediately.
On the 17th day of the game, Skupin, while tending fire accidentally inhaled fumes and collapsed. He had severe burns on his hands and was evacuated by helicopter to seek further medical treatment. He became the first Survivor player ever to be medically evacuated and to be eliminated from the game without being voted off first.
He finished 11th place in the game.
He competed in Survivor again in the 25th season of the show in 2012. Skupin received only one jury vote.
Post-Survivor
Skupin appeared on Hollywood Squares as a panelist for Survivor Week.
In 2004, Skupin released an autobiography entitled Fireproof.
Personal life
On February 23, 2013, Skupin was arrested for driving on a suspended license, reported CBS Detroit. [http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2013/02/26/former-survivor-contestant-arrested-in-michigan/] Official records showed that Skupin’s license has been suspended about 20 times since 1999.
In December 2013, Skupin was featured on Fox Detroit's "Hall of Shame."
In February 2016, Police, while searching his laptop during a Ponzi scheme investigation for Pay It Forward, discovered child pornography. He was arrested on February 5, 2016, with six counts of possession of child pornography. His bond was set at $350,000 USD. He was found guilty of larceny, and was sentenced to 1 year of prison for possession of child pornography and four years of probation.
Skupin is married to his wife Peni. They have three children: Michael, Kalyn, and Emily.