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Vanna White opens up about contemplating retirement from Wheel of Fortune

With Pat Sajak leaving Wheel of Fortune, fans are curious on Vanna White's own future! Is she considering departing the game show, too?

By Michael Weyer

CELEBRITY WHEEL OF FORTUNE - “Nikki Glaser, Tig Notaro and Thomas Lennon” – Hosted by pop-culture legends Pat Sajak and Vanna White, “Celebrity Wheel of Fortune” takes a star-studded spin on America’s Game® by welcoming celebrities to spin the world’s most famous Wheel and solve puzzles for a chance to win more than $1 million. All the money won by the celebrity contestants will go to a charity of their choice, SUNDAY, OCT. 9 (9:00-10:00 p.m. EDT), on ABC. (ABC/Christopher Willard) VANNA WHITE
CELEBRITY WHEEL OF FORTUNE - “Nikki Glaser, Tig Notaro and Thomas Lennon” – Hosted by pop-culture legends Pat Sajak and Vanna White, “Celebrity Wheel of Fortune” takes a star-studded spin on America’s Game® by welcoming celebrities to spin the world’s most famous Wheel and solve puzzles for a chance to win more than $1 million. All the money won by the celebrity contestants will go to a charity of their choice, SUNDAY, OCT. 9 (9:00-10:00 p.m. EDT), on ABC. (ABC/Christopher Willard) VANNA WHITE /
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It’s the end of an era coming as Pat Sajak is retiring from Wheel of Fortune! But how is long-time co-host Vanna White handling the departure? She’s speaking up about it!

For many, Vanna White is synonymous with Wheel of Fortune. Since 1982, the sight of White on stage spinning letters (or at least touching the panels) has sparked the show into one of the most successful game shows of all time. It’s made White an institution with movie roles, scores of TV cameos, and more. 

White is also a successful entrepreneur with real estate, owns her own clothing line, and donates yarn to charities. She even got a chance to play the game herself in a Celebrity Wheel of Fortune episode. 

With the news that Pat Sajak is retiring as the show’s host after his own epic 40-year run, White is naturally being asked about her future and sharing some insights. That included how nervous she was on her first day on the show until Sajak helped her through it, creating their bond. Speaking to TV Insider, White admitted she still finds it hard to believe Sajak is leaving.

"I can’t describe how I feel. I feel happy for him. I can’t imagine doing the show without him after 41 years. I sum it up as [like] reading a good book. It always has to end. This has been the best book I’ve ever read."

White spoke on how it felt to be in the Guinness Book of World Records for “the most clapping on television” and how the show has changed her life. Of course, the key question for many is if she’ll be following Sajak into retirement. 

Is Vanna White also leaving Wheel of Fortune?

Sajak’s final episode of Wheel of Fortune is set to air on June 7. Ryan Seacrest will take over as the new host in the fall. So of course, fans are worried White may follow Sajak in leaving the show but there’s good news there.

The first important thing to note is that White signed a two-year extension to her contract in September 2023, meaning she’ll be sticking with the show through the 2025-26 season. White addressed this directly and admitted she wasn’t sure of her future yet.

"I don’t know. When I heard that Pat was retiring, I thought maybe I should retire too. But I’m not ready! We’ll see toward the end of those two years how I feel. I thank God after all these years that I still love my job."

White’s deal also includes becoming the host of the next season of Celebrity Wheel of Fortune. So it sounds like she’s not going anywhere just yet, which is good as Wheel of Fortune isn’t the same without White showing off those letters with that dazzling smile. 

Wheel of Fortune airs daily in syndication.

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