During the genetic evaluation of 169 half-sib families of white grain popcorn (Zea mays), at the beginning of a breeding program conducted in southern Brazil (Cycle I), significant differences in family survival were detected (p < 0.01). Consequently, plant survival was incorporated into the breeding program. The main objective of this study was to examine genetic parameters for plant survival, and their association with other traits of agronomic interest. A Bayesian approach was used for this purpose, implemented by Gibbs sampling (for individual plant selection) and independence chain algorithms (for family selection). The survival (measured as a binary trait) varied from 48 to 100% at the family level. Heritability (h2) was significant and high for this trait, with a posterior mean of h2=0.63 and Bayesian credible interval of 0.53-0.74. The genetic gain was 14.5% (selection intensity: 20%). Survival was correlated positively and significantly with grain yield (p < 0.01), indicating that family selection based on survival alone would have a positive effect on yield and vice versa. The Spearman correlation coefficient calculated between survival and popping expansion was not significantly different from zero, indicating that selection.