Anastasia Surmava has been leading a much more quiet life since her time on Below Deck Mediterranean.
After serving as a third stew and chef on Season 4, she’s since embarked on a new career, gotten married, and welcomed her first child.
Anastasia, more specifically, wed model Will Higginson on July 12, 2022. The couple then went on to welcome a daughter named Arabella in March 2023 — and they have been living their best lives ever since.
Most recently, Will took to his Instagram account on Nov. 4, where he gave a look at their lives in Maine. In the photo, the couple can be seen standing outside of a cottage in Freeport, Maine, smiling for the camera while bundled up in their coats. “I am here,” he wrote in the caption of the post, along with a red heart emoji.
Inside Anastasia Surmava’s life as a mom of one
Will has also shared many looks inside of Anastasia’s life as a mom to Arabella. He took to his Instagram account in May 2023, on Anastasia’s first Mother’s Day, where he posted the sweetest tribute to her in honor of her big day.
“Arabella and I are so incredibly lucky to have you in our lives,” he wrote in the caption of the post. “These first couple of months have been the most challenging of our lives, but you have been totally and completely immovable. You’re a rockstar baby, I love you.”
Details on Anastasia Surmava and Will Higgins’ marriage
Will took to his Instagram account on July 2023, where he opened up about their marriage on their one year wedding anniversary. “This day, one year ago, you made me the happiest man alive,” he wrote in the caption of the post.
RELATED: Below Deck Med Alum Anastasia Surmava Got Married in Dreamy Vermont Wedding
“My darling Anastasia, I’m so grateful that we are on this journey together. You truly are my soulmate and my best friend. I love you more than words could adequately describe. Thank you for loving me and our beautiful baby girl so furiously and inspiring me always. Yours forever, baby. Happy one year anniversary, here’s to many more.”
Is Anastasia Surmava still friends with her Below Deck Med castmates?
Anastasia has still kept in touch with many Below Deck Med alums. In 2023, Kyle Viljoen appeared on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen where he revealed that he had “become close” with Anastasia, after meeting through Below Deck Med Season 10 chief stew, Aesha Scott.
RELATED: Look Back at Every Below Deck Mediterranean Chef From All Seasons
Aesha also spoke with TV Insider in May, where she revealed that she and Anastasia are still very close after first meeting and working together on Below Deck Med Season 4. “I talk to Anastasia every week,” she explained. “We were just messaging this morning…It’s nice because a lot of people don’t understand what it’s like to be on the show and do the job without being in it. The people in the Below Deck world really do grab onto each other. We have this beautiful family, which is super nice.”
What does Anastasia Surmava do for a living after Below Deck Med?
After her time on Below Deck Med, Anastasia went into business with Below Deck Med alum Hannah Ferrier. Together they started the Ocean International Training Academy, or OITA, which provides lessons and courses on how to have a career in yachting.
According to the website, “whether you’ve always had a passion for the water or have simply had enough with the average 9-to-5, we can help you take the first steps toward a fulfilling life at sea. We equip future seamen & women with the confidence and knowledge they need to ditch their lives on land and get paid to travel the world.”
Anastasia also currently works as a financial planner in Vermont, according to ScreenRant. She appeared on an episode of The MOOM Wellness Podcast in 2023, where she opened up about this “smooth” career transition. “A lot of hospitality and luxury and being in such close quarters with people, you have to really learn how to adapt and how to speak to people, how to make people feel comfortable and how to really connect with people emotionally,” she explained.
See what Hannah recently had to say about former rude and demanding charter guests.
