WhenThe Last Alaskanswas released on Animal Planet in May 2015. Following a number of families, including breakout star,Heimo Korthand his wife Edna,The Last Alaskansdepicted the lives of the people living in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, and theirstruggles to survivein the harsh, remote climate during the tumultuous winter seasons. There are only a handful of families that live there anymore, as the US Government banned human occupation in the refuge in 1980, with those that already lived there being grandfathered in.
The Last Alaskanslasted for a total of 36 episodes across four seasons, with theAnimal Planet reality showmoved to the Discovery Channel for seasons 2-4. The series officially ended on August 08, 2025, a little over three-and-half years after it initially premiered. What madeThe Last Alaskansso riveting to watch was the various people and families that the show followed living in the refuge, especially Heimo and Edna Korth, who were a staple of the series.
Who Is Heimo Korth, Breakout Star Of The Last Alaskans?
Heimo’s Love Of Living Off The Land Made Him A Fan-Favorite On The Reality Show
Born in 1955,Heimo Korth is an American outdoorsman and one of the few people living in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Prior to starring inThe Last Alaskans, Korth’s lifestyle was the subject ofthe nonfiction book,The Final Frontiersman: Heimo Korth and His Family, Alone in Alaska’s Artic Wilderness,written by James Campbell and published in 2004. To provide for his family, Heimo Korth traps, hunts, and fishes in the harsh environment.
It was Heimo and his own family that stole the spotlight, quickly becoming fan favorites.
Despite being the subject of a few different projects, it wasn’t untilThe Last Alaskansthat Heimo Korth’s recognition skyrocketed. Though all the families featured on the show were fascinating and likable,Heimo and Edna stood out as fan favorites for their unwavering spirit and embracing of nature. Heimo’s love of his Alaskan lifestyle is infectious, which he summed up in the series premiere:
This is an adventure. This is joy. You’re bound to nature, nature directs your path.
Life in Alaska hasn’t been all joy for Heimo and Edna, however, and in addition to showing how they live off the land,The Last Alaskansshared difficult moments in the Korths' life, including the loss of their two-year-old daughter, Coleen, in a 1984 canoeing accident. While many reality shows paint an airbrushed picture of their subjects,The Last Alaskansshowed Heimo and Edna Korth for exactly who they are.
Where Heimo Korth Is Now
He & Edna Still Live In Alaska
Even though it was a massively successful show,The Last Alaskanswas expensive, and only lasted for four seasons, with many wondering what became of the series' beloved cast. Despite nearing 70 years old,Heimo Korth still lives in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge with his wife Edna, while their three children live elsewhere, but continue to occasionally visit.
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The Last Alaskansshowed that the area they lived in was not well-suited for humans, but Heimo and Edna have made it work for decades. Given how much it is a part of them and their story, it seems unlikely thatHeimo Korthand Edna will ever fully leave the Alaskan wilderness.
The Last Alaskans
Cast
The Last Alaskans is a docuseries that delves into the lives of families residing in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. This remote location, accessible only by plane or boat, is home to some of the last permitted residents in an area spanning over 19 million acres. The series documents their daily struggles and unique way of life as they navigate the challenges of surviving in one of the most isolated and unforgiving environments on Earth.
