A 45-year-old Aussie reality star has just walked away with the biggest cash prize in television history.

Perth-based model and former Survivor winner David Genat has taken out the biggest cash prize in reality TV history, becoming an overnight multimillionaire on NBC’s Deal or No Deal Island.

The 45-year-old father-of-four pocketed a staggering $US5.8 million (around $AU9.2 million) after outlasting 13 other contestants in the high-stakes finale, which aired on Tuesday evening in the US.

Hosted by Hollywood actor Joe Manganiello, with Chrissy Teigen as the show’s banker, the competition featured a star-studded cast, including American reality TV personality Claudia Jordan and Survivor and Amazing Race veteran Rob Mariano.

The 45-year-old father of four pocketed a staggering $US5.8 million (around $AU9.2 million) after outlasting 13 other contestants in the high-stakes finale, which aired on Tuesday evening in the US. Picture: Monty Brinton/NBC)
“CONGRATULATIONS to David ‘The Golden God’ Genat, on his historic DEAL OR NO DEAL ISLAND,” Manganiello declared in an Instagram post celebrating the win.

The final challenge took nearly five hours to film, with Genat going head-to-head with runner-up Alexis Lete to play for the game’s top prize of $12,232,001.

In a bold move, Genat rejected several six-figure offers over seven rounds, determined to take a big swing.

“I didn’t want to play it safe,” he told People.

“I watch a lot of the competitive reality shows, and I want to see someone that comes in and swings really big, does crazy stuff and maybe fails and then succeeds. I want to root for someone. I try to be that for people watching at home, and I think I nailed it this time.”

Genat picked case 18, a number close to his heart as it marks the birth date of three of his children, and has since had it tattooed on his back in tribute.

Speaking from Los Angeles on Thursday, he told The Daily Telegraph: “No one from Australia has done what I’ve done and no one from Australia has crossed over into American (reality) television, this is the first time it’s been done.

“Not only have I crossed over, I’ve won the biggest amount of money ever on American reality television, so I hope it opens a lot of doors for Australian talent wanting to do what I’ve done.”

Although the prize is subject to around 30 per cent US tax, Genat said he plans to enjoy the spoils, starting with lavish holidays and “$19 strawberries”.

Genat is known as the ‘Golden God’ of Survivor Australia. Picture: TEN
He told NBC that he’ll be spending the money on his wife, Pearl Christensen, and their four children, as well as treating himself to a new motorcycle.

“I probably shouldn’t be saying this out loud because they’re gonna hold me to it, but like, all my kids are coming up to driving age,” he said.

“So I’m probably gonna have to buy a fleet of new vehicles. I mean, hey, that’s what I’m gonna do.”

He added: “I’m gonna buy myself a new motorcycle ’cause I love motorcycles. That’ll be my little fun spend.”

Genat is no stranger to reality TV success.

He first appeared on Australian Survivor: Champions vs Contenders in 2018 before returning to win Survivor: All Stars in 2020, and walking away with $500,000.

He’s also featured on Celebrity Apprentice, Rush and Getaway on the Nine Network.