Vanna White, the beloved co-host of the long-running game show Wheel of Fortune, has been a staple on American television screens for over four decades. As of 2025, White’s net worth is estimated at an impressive $85 million. Beyond the glittering gowns and letter-turning duties, White has crafted a lucrative career both on-screen and off, leveraging her image in ways many may not expect.
Early Life and Humble Beginnings
Vanna Marie Rosich was born on February 18, 1957, in Conway, South Carolina, making her 68 years old in 2025. Raised in North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, she took her stepfather’s last name, White, after her parents divorced when she was an infant. After graduating from North Myrtle Beach High School, she attended the Atlanta School of Fashion and Design while modeling and competing in pageants, including finishing as the fourth runner-up in the 1978 Miss Georgia USA competition.
White’s big move to Los Angeles in 1979 came with aspirations of becoming an actress. Like many aspiring stars, she worked various jobs, including waitressing and modeling, to make ends meet.
The Breakthrough with “Wheel of Fortune”
White’s career-changing moment came in 1982 when she was selected from over 200 applicants to replace Susan Stafford as the hostess of Wheel of Fortune. The decision catapulted her into pop culture stardom, becoming one of television’s most recognizable personalities. Since her debut on December 13, 1982, she has been synonymous with the show’s success, charming millions of viewers with her charisma and iconic claps—earning her a Guinness World Record as “Television’s Most Frequent Clapper.”
Throughout her Wheel of Fortune tenure, White has appeared in more than 7,000 episodes, never repeating a single one of her signature evening gowns, which are borrowed from designers and returned after taping.
Salary Evolution: From $3 Million to $10 Million
For much of her career, Vanna White’s salary remained modest relative to her co-host Pat Sajak. From 2005 to 2023, she earned $3 million annually—a figure that surprisingly remained stagnant for 18 years. However, the retirement of Pat Sajak in mid-2023 prompted White’s legal team to renegotiate her contract with Sony.
The result was a new deal in 2023 that boosted her salary to $10 million annually, covering both her duties on Wheel of Fortune and Celebrity Wheel of Fortune. This salary is especially remarkable given that she works just 34 days per year, taping multiple episodes on each shoot day.
When broken down, White now earns roughly $294,000 per workday, a testament to the value she brings to the franchise.
Casino Licensing: A Hidden Goldmine
What many fans may not know is that White’s biggest payday does not come directly from the show itself. Since 1996, Wheel of Fortune has been licensed to casino slot machines globally, becoming one of the highest-grossing slot franchises of all time.
In exchange for licensing her likeness alongside Pat Sajak’s, White reportedly earns at least $10 million annually from this venture alone. When combined with her game show salary, White’s yearly earnings easily surpass $20 million, cementing her as one of television’s highest-paid personalities.
Acting and Television Cameos
In addition to her iconic role on Wheel of Fortune, White has appeared in several films and television shows. These include cameos in The King of Queens, Married with Children, Just Shoot Me, and The A-Team. She also lent her voice to the animated project Goddess of Spring.
Despite her on-screen appearances, White has always remained primarily associated with her Wheel of Fortune legacy.
Legal Battles and Business Ventures
White’s determination extends beyond television. In 1993, she successfully sued Samsung Electronics after the company aired a commercial featuring a robot turning letters on a game show, which White argued mimicked her likeness. She ultimately won the lawsuit and received $403,000 in damages.
Additionally, White ventured into the business world through her partnership with Lion Brand Yarns. Inspired by her lifelong love of crocheting—a skill passed down by her grandmother—White launched her own yarn line, Vanna’s Choice, which continues to be popular among craft enthusiasts.
Personal Life and Philanthropy
White married restaurateur George Santo Pietro in 1990, and together they had two children: Nicholas, born in 1994, and Giovanna (nicknamed Gigi), born in 1997. The couple divorced in 2002. Since 2012, White has been in a long-term relationship with John Donaldson, a successful contractor and the founder of JDC Construction + Development Group.
White is also deeply philanthropic. She is a patron of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, having personally donated over $1.8 million to date. She plans to continue her charitable efforts beyond her television career.
In honor of her niece Sadie Brett Boyer, who passed away at a young age, White’s family also contributes to causes supporting children with congenital heart disease.
Real Estate Investments
White’s fortune is bolstered by her shrewd real estate investments. Over the years, she and her ex-husband owned multiple high-value properties, including a 15,000-square-foot mansion in Beverly Park, which sold for $19.3 million in 2020.
Her current primary residence is a 10,000-square-foot mansion in Beverly Hills, which she purchased for $3.4 million in the early 2000s. Today, the home is estimated to be worth over $10 million. She also owns a property in Sherman Oaks, California, which she has rented out for $20,000 per month.
White continues to invest in apartment buildings and is known for flipping houses, which has helped diversify her income beyond television and licensing deals.
A Lasting Legacy
Vanna White’s enduring career is a testament to her versatility, professionalism, and business acumen. From her humble beginnings in South Carolina to becoming one of America’s highest-paid TV personalities, White’s journey is nothing short of inspiring. As she continues her role on Wheel of Fortune alongside new host Ryan Seacrest, fans can expect to see her influence—and net worth—continue to grow.
