Vanna White Is Arguably the Face of 'Wheel of Fortune' and for Good Reason
Jun. 28 2024, Updated 4:35 p.m. ET
If you grew up watching Wheel of Fortune, you likely enjoyed seeing Vanna White spin each letter on the board just as much as solving the puzzles yourself. Vanna has become the iconic face of Wheel of Fortune, especially since longtime host Pat Sajak retired in June 2023. With rumors buzzing that she might retire early due to not "jibing"with the new host Ryan Seacrest, per DailyMail, fans are curious about how much she actually earns.
While money likely isn't the motivating factor keeping Vanna on Wheel of Fortune for so long, it probably hasn't hurt that she has made a killing during her career from being one of the faces of the show. Let's take a look at her net worth.
What is Vanna White's net worth?
According to Celebrity Net Worth, Vanna's net worth stands at $85 million as of 2024. While it's clear that Vanna White has become a staple in the entertainment industry and earns a substantial income from Wheel of Fortune, there's more to her career than just the show.
Vanna White (née Rosich)
TV personality and game show host
Net worth: $85 million
Vanna White first joined Wheel of Fortune in 1982, and has held her position as co-host ever since. Two years before she landed the gig, she moved to Los Angeles and appeared on The Price Is Right as a contestant, allowing her to become acquainted with Bob Barker. In August 2023, Vanna posted a tribute (which can be seen down below) to the late TV host thanking him "for introducing [her] to the game show world."
Birthdate: Feb. 18, 1957
Birthplace: North Myrtle Beach, S.C.
Education: Attended the Atlanta School of Fashion and Design
Marriages: George Santo Pietro (1990-2002)
Relationships: Currently dating John Donaldson
Kids: 2
Vanna is also an actress and a model and a former beauty pageant queen. In fact, when Vanna was first starting out, she posed for some semi-nude photos which eventually found their way to Playboy magazine. While Vanna filed a lawsuit against the publication as well as Hugh Hefner, she eventually dropped both suits.
Most of Vanna's TV and movie roles, like those in Naked Gun 33 1/3: The Final Insult and Fresh off the Boat, have involved Vanna playing herself, adding to her long resume.
What is Vanna White's 'Wheel of Fortune' salary?
In 1982, Vanna auditioned with more than 100 other women to be the primary hostess of Wheel of Fortune. She started out as a substitute letter turner but was soon promoted to the main female co-host of the show, and she has remained on it for decades following her initial stint.
As of 2024, Vanna collects a $10 million salary. But, it wasn't until after Pat retired that she negotiated a new contract, increasing her Wheel of Fortune salary from $3 million to $7.5 million. The remaining $2.5 million comes from her other hosting gigs with ABC. Vanna's contract extends through 2026, though word on the street is she's ready to go sooner than later, even if it means breaking her contract.
Is Vanna White leaving 'Wheel of Fortune'?
Most longtime Wheel of Fortune fans literally cannot imagine the show without Vanna. Her smiling face and positive attitude while serving as hostess of the game show are pretty synonymous with the series in general. While her contract has been extended through 2026, it's unclear if she will retire early. A source disclosed to DailyMail that "a part of her wants to walk away sooner," citing the difficulty of doing the show without Pat as one of the reasons.
Luckily, Vanna hasn't announced that she's leaving Wheel of Fortune, so you don't have anything to worry about just yet. For now, we can continue to rely on the only letter turning queen we have ever known and, honestly, the only one we really need.