We’ve all sat there on our couches, clutching a glass of wine or a bag of crisps, watching the finale and thinking the exact same thing. The host—whether it’s the iconic Maya Jama, Ariana Madix, or the OGs like Caroline Flack—stands there with those two envelopes. One is empty. The other holds the life-changing jackpot. Then comes the question that has defined reality TV tension for over a decade: "Will you choose love or money?"
It’s the ultimate "what if." If you’re a fan, you’ve probably wondered, "Wait, has anyone ever kept the 100k on Love Island?" Or maybe the £50k in the UK version? It feels like the kind of betrayal that would go down in television history, right next to the most chaotic Casa Amor recouplings.
The short answer? Honestly, it’s a big fat no.
Despite hundreds of contestants across the UK, USA, and Australia versions, not a single winner has ever pulled a "steal" and walked away with the full pot. It’s a 100% split record. But why? Is everyone just that "loyal," or is there something else going on behind the scenes that makes stealing a terrible business move? Let’s get into the nitty-gritty of why that envelope always gets shared.
The History of the Split or Steal Twist
The "Split or Steal" mechanic was the final boss of Love Island for years. It was designed to test whether the winning couple was actually into each other or just playing a very long, very tanned game of chess.
Basically, the winning couple picks from two envelopes. Whoever gets the one with the cash (usually £50,000 in the UK or $100,000 in the US) gets to decide: share it 50/50 or keep the whole thing. If you keep it, your "partner" gets $0. Nothing. Zip.
Why the UK Scrapped It
In 2022, the UK version actually ditched the twist entirely. Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu and Davide Sanclimenti were the first winners who didn't even have to choose; the money was just automatically split. ITV bosses basically realized that after seven seasons of everyone choosing to split, the "suspense" had become a bit of a snooze fest.
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It felt performative. By the time you reach the final, you’ve spent weeks building a "brand" as a couple. Choosing the money over the person would be like setting your future career on fire for a one-time payout.
The Love Island USA Exception
While the UK moved away from the drama, Love Island USA kept the dream—or nightmare—alive. In the most recent Season 6 (2024), we saw Kordell Beckham and Serena Page take home the $100,000. Serena actually picked the winning envelope, and she didn't hesitate for a second. She split it.
Even after the rollercoaster they went through—including the infamous Casa Amor drama that had everyone screaming at their screens—they chose the $50k each.
Does Anyone Actually Consider Stealing?
You’d think someone like Sammy Root or maybe a "villain" edit character would’ve done it by now. But think about the math.
- The Prize Money: $100,000 (or £50,000).
- The "Influencer" Bag: Millions.
If you steal the money, you become the most hated person in the country overnight. You can kiss the PrettyLittleThing deals, the BoohooMan collaborations, and the lucrative club appearances goodbye. Brands don’t want to work with a "villain" who betrayed their partner for cash. In the world of 2026 reality TV, being "likable" is worth way more than 50 grand.
The Near Misses and "Almost" Moments
While no one has actually kept the money, we’ve had some couples where fans prayed for a steal.
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Take Millie Court and Liam Reardon in UK Season 7. Liam had strayed in Casa Amor with Lillie Haynes, and the public was divided. When they won, half of Twitter was begging Millie to take the £50k as "compensation" for her heartbreak. She didn't. She stayed "loyal" (a word that should be banned from the villa at this point) and shared it. They even stayed together for quite a while after the show.
Then there’s the case of Paradise Hotel. This is often where the confusion happens. In the 2019 revival of Paradise Hotel, a contestant named Bobby Ray actually did steal the money from his partner, Tatum. It was brutal. It was incredible TV. Because of that, people often misremember it as a Love Island moment.
The Reality of Taxes and Logistics
Something people rarely talk about is how the money actually hits the bank account. In the US, that $100,000 isn't really $100,000.
Season 5 winner Marco Donatelli actually mentioned this in interviews. He wanted to take the full $100k, double it himself through investments, and then give his partner Hannah her share later. But the producers cut those conversations out. They want the "fairytale" or the "ultimate betrayal," not a lecture on tax-advantaged savings accounts.
In the UK, prize winnings are generally tax-free, but in the US, Uncle Sam takes a massive bite. By the time you split $100k and pay taxes, you’re looking at maybe $35k to $40k each. Is $40,000 worth being the most blocked person on Instagram? Probably not.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Prize
There’s a common misconception that the show is "fixed" so that they can't steal. That’s not true. The contracts explicitly allow for it. The producers would actually love for someone to steal. It would be the biggest viral moment in the history of the franchise.
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The reason it hasn't happened is purely social pressure. You are standing on a stage, live, in front of a cheering crowd, with your family in the front row. The person next to you is someone you’ve slept next to for six weeks. Stealing the money in that environment requires a level of "savage" that most people simply don't possess.
Why the "Steal" Might Never Happen
The show has changed. In the early seasons, people were there for the experience and maybe a bit of fame. Now, Love Island is a career launchpad.
- Public Perception: The audience votes for the winners. If the audience thinks you’re the type of person who would steal, they won't vote for you to win in the first place.
- The Friendship Loophole: Even couples who aren't "in love" (friendship couples) split the money because they’ve become best mates.
- Post-Show Longevity: Many winners (like Molly-Mae and Tommy, though they didn't win, or Kai and Sanam) realize that their relationship is their biggest asset.
The Future of the Love Island Jackpot
As we look at the 2025 and 2026 seasons, the question remains: will the producers raise the stakes? Some fans suggest the prize should be $1 million. Maybe then, someone would actually have the guts to take the money and run.
Until that happens, the "Split or Steal" moment will likely remain a formality. It’s a vestige of a simpler time in reality TV before everyone had a talent manager waiting for them at the airport.
Your Love Island Cheat Sheet: What to Remember
If you're ever in a pub quiz or arguing with friends about reality TV history, here are the facts:
- Total Steals: 0. No one has ever kept the money on any major version of Love Island.
- UK Rule Change: Since Series 8 (2022), the UK version has mostly stopped asking the question, making the split automatic.
- The Big Winners: The US prize is currently $100,000, while the UK prize stays at £50,000.
- The Only Real "Steal": It happened on Paradise Hotel and The Bachelor Pad, but never in the Love Island villa.
If you’re looking to binge-watch the most "tense" finales, start with UK Season 5 (Amber and Greg) or USA Season 6 (Serena and Kordell). Even though they split, the emotional weight of those wins—considering their journeys—makes for way better TV than a cheap cash grab ever would. Keep an eye on the upcoming international spin-offs; with different cultural attitudes toward competition, we might eventually see someone finally break the "loyal" streak.