Vanna White: A Journey From Contestant To Icon On Wheel Of Fortune

Vanna White has been revealing letters on the Wheel of Fortune puzzle board for more than four decades and even hosted the popular TV game show in 2019. But she’s never tried her luck as a contestant—until now. White, 66, will take her turn spinning and solving on Wednesday as part of a special “Ultimate Host Night” episode of Wheel. Guessing letters alongside her will be Jeopardy! emcees Mayim Bialik and Ken Jennings, with their winnings going to charity. It’s a rare opportunity more than 40 years in the making for White, who replaced model Susan Stafford as the show’s full-time letter-turner in 1982. Her popularity quickly resulted in a wave of “Vannamania,” and she and Wheel host Pat Sajak have gone on to become one of the most iconic television duos of all time.

White's Early Life and Adoption

Vanna Marie Rosich was born on February 18, 1957, to parents Joan Marie and Miguel Angel Rosich. White’s father left when she was just a few months old. When she was 2, she was adopted by her stepfather, Herbert Stackley White Jr., and took his name. The two remained close throughout Vanna’s career and up until his death on April 1, 2022. She said on a 2021 episode of Wheel that she called him “every morning to say good morning and that I love him.” This close relationship has shaped her values and the way she navigates her career.

Struggles in Acting Before Fame

Before joining Wheel, White faced numerous challenges as a struggling actor. She moved to Los Angeles in 1979 after attending the Atlanta School of Fashion but returned home in 1980 to care for her mother, who was battling ovarian cancer. After returning to L.A., White had a handful of minor roles in films like Graduation Day (1981) and Gypsy Angels, which would not be released until years later in 1990. At one point, she even slept on the floor of her apartment due to financial struggles.

The Big Break

In November 1982, Vanna White landed the audition that would change her life forever. She impressed Wheel creator Merv Griffin and was hired on Thanksgiving Eve. “I was so nervous because I wanted this job so badly,” White recalled. “My knees were shaking; my mouth was quivering; I could hardly talk.” This pivotal moment marked the beginning of her long-standing career on television.

Her Iconic Role on Wheel of Fortune

Up until 1997, White had to manually turn tiles on the puzzle wall as contestants guessed correct letters. Now, the board is computerized, allowing her to simply touch it to reveal letters. Computerization means the board can be updated more quickly—allowing Wheel to tape a week’s worth of shows in just one day. White is given the answers to the puzzles in advance to ensure she knows where the letters are located. Even so, she once turned around the wrong letter to a puzzle, which had to be thrown out.

Fashion and Fame

According to her home page on the Wheel of Fortune site, White has worn more than 7,000 outfits throughout her time on the show. After a nearly 40-year streak of wearing different outfits for each episode, she finally repeated one in September 2020. The show even has a Pinterest page dedicated to her wardrobe, showcasing the vast array of her fashion choices over the years. Fans love to follow her style and find inspiration in her outfits.

Record-Breaking Claps

In 2013, the Guinness Book of World Records recognized White as the most frequent clapper in television history. By 2015, it was estimated that she had clapped more than 3.7 million times over her 32 seasons on the show to encourage contestants. This translates to an average of 606 claps per episode! An updated estimate in 2022 suggested her number of claps has grown to over 4.5 million, showcasing her enthusiastic support for contestants.

Vanna's Creative Side

Beyond her television career, White has a passion for crocheting. During her downtime in the studio, she's often found creating handmade gifts. “I love making handmade gifts,” she says. “People just don’t do it anymore… It is just special.” Vanna has made baby blankets for her children, emphasizing the sentimental value of her creations.

Controversial Playboy Feature

In May 1987, many fans were surprised when White was featured in Playboy magazine. She appeared on the cover wearing only a long-sleeve shirt, and the inside spread featured her seminude in suggestive poses. However, the photos were actually taken in 1982 and were purchased by Hugh Hefner. White later filed a $5.2 million lawsuit against Playboy, claiming the photos would tarnish her image, but she eventually dropped the suit and offered a public apology during an appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.

Profiting from Slot Machines

Interestingly, White's net worth is estimated to be around $85 million, with a salary of about $10 million for her role on Wheel. However, she earns even more—approximately $15 million a year—by licensing her name and image for casino slot machines. As of 2022, there were 250 versions of Wheel slot machines in use, which have paid out over $3.3 billion since their debut in 1996.

Television Cameos and Contributions

Despite her initial struggles, White has made numerous guest appearances on scripted TV shows since her rise to fame. She has appeared as herself on the ABC comedy Fresh Off the Boat and had cameo roles in iconic series like The A-Team, Full House, and Just Shoot Me!. Moreover, she participated in another game show prior to Wheel, making it to contestants row on The Price Is Right in June 1980.

Giving Back to the Community

In the recent “Ultimate Host” episode of Wheel, White played for the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. This isn’t the first time she has raised money for the institution. White launched her own line of yarns called “Vanna’s Choice” through Lion Brand, donating half of the proceeds to St. Jude, raising over $2 million as of April 2019. She shared that her commitment to the cause is deeply personal, having lost family members to cancer.

“Having grown up in the South, it reminds me of my roots,” White said of St. Jude. “My mother passed away from cancer, and many of my family members have had cancer. I’m fortunate to have two healthy kids. And I’m happy to do my part to help St. Jude help children get healthy.”