History of Vanna White in Timeline

Vanna White is an American television personality renowned for co-hosting Wheel of Fortune since 1982. Before joining the show, she worked as a model and competed in Miss Georgia USA. Beyond Wheel of Fortune, White has made appearances in films and television, authored her autobiography, Vanna Speaks, and ventured into real estate and the yarn industry with her brand, Vanna's Choice. She's also known for her philanthropic efforts, particularly her support for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Sections (1)

Full Timeline

1925: Birth of Herbert White Jr.

In 1925, Herbert White Jr., Vanna White's stepfather, was born. He later worked as a real estate broker.

February 18, 1957: Vanna White Born

On February 18, 1957, Vanna Marie White, born as Vanna Marie Rosich, was born. She is known as a game-show hostess and television personality.

1978: Miss Georgia USA Pageant

In 1978, Vanna White competed in the Miss Georgia USA pageant while working as a model and studying fashion.

1979: Move to Los Angeles

In 1979, Vanna White moved to Los Angeles, California, to pursue a career in acting.

June 20, 1980: Appearance on The Price Is Right

On June 20, 1980, Vanna White appeared as a contestant on The Price Is Right, though she did not make it on stage.

1980: Film Appearance

In 1980, Vanna White acted in a film that was not completed at the time.

1980: Return to South Carolina

In the summer of 1980, Vanna White returned briefly to South Carolina to visit her mother, who was dying of ovarian cancer.

1981: Film Appearances

In 1981, Vanna White had a bit part in the film Looker and appeared as Doris in the horror movie Graduation Day.

October 1982: Substitute Hostess for Wheel of Fortune

In October 1982, Vanna White was selected as one of three substitute hostesses for Wheel of Fortune after Susan Stafford's departure.

December 13, 1982: Regular Hostess of Wheel of Fortune

On December 13, 1982, Vanna White became the regular hostess of Wheel of Fortune.

1982: Co-host of Wheel of Fortune

In 1982, Vanna White became the co-host of the game show Wheel of Fortune, a position she has held since then.

September 19, 1983: Modern Syndicated Run of Wheel of Fortune

Vanna White had appeared in all but 10 of Wheel's 5,754 episodes to that point, during the show's modern syndicated run, which began on September 19, 1983.

1986: Death of John Gibson

In 1986, John Gibson, Vanna White's fiancé, died in an airplane crash.

1987: Vanna Speaks Autobiography

In 1987, Vanna White authored her autobiography, "Vanna Speaks".

Vanna Speaks

Check it on Amazon

1987: Autobiography and Playboy Feature

In 1987, Vanna White's autobiography, Vanna Speaks!, became a best-seller, and she was featured in a Playboy pictorial with photos taken before Wheel of Fortune.

Vanna Speaks

Check it on Amazon

1988: Starred in Goddess of Love

In 1988, Vanna White starred as Venus, the title character, in the television movie Goddess of Love.

June 1990: Release of Gypsy Angels

In June 1990, the film that Vanna White acted in during 1980 was edited and released as "Gypsy Angels".

1990: Marriage to George Santo Pietro

In 1990, Vanna White married restaurant owner George Santo Pietro.

1991: First Missed Episode Since 1991

In August 2023, Vanna White missed filming five episodes for the first time since 1991.

September 1992: Pregnancy Announcement

In September 1992, Vanna White first became pregnant. An episode of Wheel of Fortune contained "Vanna's pregnant" as the answer to a puzzle.

Loading Video...

1993: Lawsuit against Samsung Electronics

In 1993, Vanna White sued Samsung Electronics over an advertisement featuring a robot turning letters on a game show, alleging a violation of her personality rights, and was eventually awarded $403,000 in damages.

1994: Birth of Son

In 1994, Vanna White gave birth to a son from her marriage to George Santo Pietro.

1994: Film Appearances

In 1994, Vanna White made cameo appearances in films such as Naked Gun '"`UNIQ--templatestyles-00000028-QINU`"'33+1⁄3: The Final Insult and Double Dragon.

August 1996: Rebroadcast on Anniversary Special

In August 1996, a clip of Vanna White's appearance on The Price Is Right in 1980 was rebroadcast as part of The Price Is Right 25th Anniversary Special.

1996: Narrator and Singer

In 1996, Vanna White was the main narrator and singer in the CD release of Leslie Bricusse's "Santa's Last Ride."

1997: Birth of Daughter

In 1997, Vanna White gave birth to a daughter from her marriage to George Santo Pietro.

November 2002: Divorce from George Santo Pietro

In November 2002, Vanna White and George Santo Pietro divorced.

2004: Engagement to Michael Kaye

From 2004 to 2006, Vanna White was engaged to Southern California businessman Michael Kaye.

April 20, 2006: Hollywood Walk of Fame Star

On April 20, 2006, Vanna White received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, with Pat Sajak, Merv Griffin, and Alex Trebek present.

2006: End of Engagement

From 2004 to 2006, Vanna White was engaged to Southern California businessman Michael Kaye, but the two never wed.

2012: Relationship with John Donaldson

Since 2012, Vanna White has been in a relationship with contractor John Donaldson.

January 31, 2013: Clapping Statistics

As of January 31, 2013, Vanna White had clapped an estimated 3,480,864 times across 30 seasons of Wheel of Fortune.

May 24, 2013: Guinness World Record

On May 24, 2013, Vanna White was presented with a Guinness World Record certificate for most frequent clapper.

2017: Listing Beverly Hills Home

In 2017, Vanna White listed her Beverly Hills home for $47.5 million.

December 5, 2019: Sajak's Return to Wheel of Fortune

Pat Sajak returned to Wheel of Fortune on December 5, 2019, after recovering from surgery.

December 9, 2019: Temporary Hosting of Wheel of Fortune

Starting the week of December 9, 2019, Vanna White temporarily took over hosting Wheel of Fortune as master of ceremonies after Pat Sajak was hospitalized.

December 23, 2019: Wheel of Fortune Hiatus

During Christmas week, December 23, 2019, Wheel of Fortune went on hiatus.

2019: Donation to St. Jude

As of 2019, Vanna White has donated $1.8 million to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and plans to continue her philanthropy.

January 6, 2020: White's Return to Hosting

On January 6, 2020, Vanna White returned to hosting Wheel of Fortune for a final week, assisted by Pat Sajak's daughter Maggie.

January 13, 2020: Sajak's Episodes Aired

On January 13, 2020, episodes of Wheel of Fortune featuring Pat Sajak that had been previously taped were aired.

September 2021: Appearance on The Price is Right Celebrates 50 Years

In September 2021, Vanna White appeared on The Price is Right Celebrates 50 years as a guest model and also a clip of her previous appearance was shown.

September 2021: Guest Appearance on The Price Is Right

In September 2021, Vanna White made a special guest appearance on The Price Is Right Celebrates 50 Years, where she presented a set of luggage.

2021: Hosting Celebrity Wheel of Fortune

Since 2021, Vanna White and Pat Sajak hosted Celebrity Wheel of Fortune on ABC.

Loading Video...

April 1, 2022: Death of Herbert White Jr.

On April 1, 2022, Vanna White announced that her stepfather, Herbert White Jr., had passed away peacefully that morning.

May 2022: Guest Appearance on RuPaul's Drag Race

In May 2022, Vanna White appeared as a special guest on the seventh season of RuPaul's Drag Race: All Stars, where contestants honored her past looks on the runway.

2022: Death of Herbert White Jr.

In 2022, Herbert White Jr., Vanna White's stepfather, passed away.

April 21, 2023: Documentary Announcement

On April 21, 2023, it was announced that Vanna White would be featured in a four-episode documentary by ABC News titled The Game Show Show.

May 10, 2023: Premiere of The Game Show Show

On May 10, 2023, The Game Show Show, a four-part documentary featuring Vanna White, premiered on ABC.

May 2023: Competed on Celebrity Wheel of Fortune

In May 2023, Vanna White competed as a contestant on a celebrity edition of Wheel of Fortune against Ken Jennings and Mayim Bialik.

Loading Video...

July 2023: Celebrity Wheel of Fortune Contract Extension

In July 2023, Vanna White extended her contract on Celebrity Wheel of Fortune.

Loading Video...

August 2023: Missed Episodes Due to COVID-19

In August 2023, Vanna White missed filming five episodes of Wheel of Fortune after contracting COVID-19, and was temporarily replaced by Bridgette Donald-Blue.