Parvati Shallow, born on September 21, 1982, in Vero Beach, Florida, is an American television personality best known for her appearances on the reality game show Survivor . She has competed on four seasons of the show, earning a reputation as one of its most strategic and charismatic players. Her nickname, "Black Widow," stems from her adept use of flirtation to subtly control the game-a skill she has also applied in other ventures, including life coaching.
Shallow grew up in a unique environment; her family lived in a "hippie" commune practicing Hinduism, which influenced her naming-Parvati being a Hindu name. When she was 11, her family relocated to Marietta, Georgia. She graduated from Sprayberry High School and later attended the University of Georgia, where she was a member of the Alpha Omicron Pi sorority and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism.