The first winter would have been the period that established whether survival was possible at all.

We know she got through it.

We know the others did too, at least initially.

But by the time Marguerite finally left the island, she would be the only one alive.

The Deaths That Defined The Ordeal

The deaths of Marguerite’s companions are the most tragic dimension of her story, and the most clearly established in the historical record.

Her young man died — the exact timing is uncertain, but it was apparently during the island ordeal rather than at its beginning or end.

Some versions of the story describe him as dying of illness — a combination of cold, malnutrition, and possibly whatever specific ailments the island environment produced.