Vanna White Contemplates Her Future on 'Wheel of Fortune'
When Pat Sajak announced his retirement from 'Wheel of Fortune,' Vanna White admitted that the thought of stepping away crossed her mind as well. In an interview with TV Insider, she shared her candid thoughts about the future of her iconic role as the show's letter-turner.
As Vanna reflected on the announcement, she revealed, “I don’t know. When I heard that Pat was retiring, I thought maybe I should retire too.” But she quickly added, “But I’m not ready! We’ll see toward the end of those two years how I feel. Honestly, I’m so grateful after all these years that I still absolutely love my job.”
Pat Sajak's Bittersweet Decision to Step Down
At 77 years old, Pat Sajak made the difficult decision to retire from hosting 'Wheel of Fortune' in June 2023. In a heartfelt statement to Closer, he explained, “Well, the time has come. I’ve decided that our 41st season, which begins in September, will be my last. It’s been a wonderful ride, and I’ll have more to say in the coming months. Many thanks to you all.”
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Pat's final episode as the beloved host of the long-running program aired on June 7 of this year. Fans tuned in for what was surely an emotional broadcast, celebrating a man who has been a cornerstone of the show for decades.
Vanna's Commitment Beyond Pat's Departure
Following Pat's announcement, there was much speculation about whether Vanna, 67, would continue on the show. Thankfully, she put those concerns to rest when she signed on to remain as the letter-turner through 2026, as confirmed by Closer in September 2023.
After working alongside Pat for over four decades, this new chapter with Ryan Seacrest as the new host marks a significant change for Vanna. Despite the transition, she remains optimistic and appreciative. “I can’t describe how I feel. I feel happy for him,” she expressed about Pat’s retirement. “I can’t imagine doing the show without him after 41 years. It’s like reading a good book. Every story has to end, and this has been the best book I’ve ever read.”
Vanna, who started her career as a beauty queen before venturing into acting, never anticipated that her role on 'Wheel of Fortune' would last so long. “I never would have thought that this would turn into a 40-plus-year job,” confessed the South Carolina native, who is also a proud mom to Nikko and Gigi. “I’m happy that I am myself [on the show]. I don’t play a character. I am who I am. It’s a fun show that everybody of all ages enjoys. And hey, we give money away!”
