History of Vanna White in Timeline
Vanna White is an American television personality best known as the co-host of the game show Wheel of Fortune since 1982. Before her long tenure on Wheel of Fortune, she worked as a model and competed in Miss Georgia USA in 1978. White has made appearances in films and television series, authored the autobiography Vanna Speaks in 1987, and is involved in real-estate investment. Additionally, she owns the yarn brand Vanna's Choice and is actively involved with St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
1925: Herbert White Jr. Born
In 1925, Herbert White Jr., Vanna White's stepfather, was born. He later raised Vanna in North Myrtle Beach after her parents divorced.
February 18, 1957: Vanna White Born
On February 18, 1957, Vanna Marie White, born as Vanna Marie Rosich, was born. She is an American television personality known for co-hosting Wheel of Fortune.
1978: Competed in Miss Georgia USA
In 1978, Vanna White competed in the Miss Georgia USA pageant, marking an early step in her career before television.
1978: Miss Georgia USA Pageant Contestant
In 1978, Vanna White participated in the Miss Georgia USA pageant before her television career.
1979: Moved to Los Angeles to Pursue Acting
In 1979, Vanna White moved to Los Angeles to pursue an acting career.
June 20, 1980: First Game Show Appearance
On June 20, 1980, Vanna White made her first appearance on a game show, "The Price Is Right," where she was among the initial contestants but did not make it on stage.
1980: Acted in Unfinished Film
In 1980, Vanna White acted in a film that was not completed at the time, but it was subsequently edited and released in June 1990 as Gypsy Angels.
1980: Returned to South Carolina
In the summer of 1980, Vanna White briefly returned to South Carolina to see her mother who was dying of ovarian cancer.
1981: Acted in Film 'Looker'
In 1981, Vanna White had a bit part in the film 'Looker'.
October 1982: Selected as Substitute Co-Host
In October 1982, Vanna White was selected as one of three substitutes to co-host Wheel of Fortune after Susan Stafford's departure.
December 13, 1982: Became Regular Co-Host of Wheel of Fortune
On December 13, 1982, Vanna White officially became the regular co-host of Wheel of Fortune.
1982: Started co-hosting Wheel of Fortune
In 1982, Vanna White began her long-standing role as the co-host of the game show Wheel of Fortune.
September 19, 1983: Modern Syndicated Run of Wheel of Fortune Began
On September 19, 1983, the modern syndicated run of Wheel of Fortune began.
June 1986: Bereavement Leave and Temporary Replacement
In June 1986, Vanna White took a bereavement leave from Wheel of Fortune after her fiancé's death, with Susan Stafford temporarily returning as co-host.
1986: Death of John Gibson
In 1986, Vanna White's fiancé, John Gibson, died in an airplane crash.
1987: Published Autobiography
In 1987, Vanna White authored her autobiography, "Vanna Speaks," marking a personal and professional milestone.
1987: Autobiography and Playboy Feature
In 1987, Vanna White released her best-selling autobiography, "Vanna Speaks!", and was featured in a Playboy pictorial with photos taken before her Wheel of Fortune career.
1988: Starred in Goddess of Love
In 1988, Vanna White starred as Venus in the television movie Goddess of Love.
June 1990: Release of Gypsy Angels
In June 1990, the film Gypsy Angels, in which Vanna White acted in 1980, was released after being edited.
1990: Marriage to George Santo Pietro
In 1990, Vanna White married restaurant owner George Santo Pietro.
1991: First Missed Episode
In 1991, Vanna White previously missed an episode of Wheel of Fortune.
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, but she miscarried shortly after taping.
1993: Sued 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 ultimately awarded $403,000 in damages.
June 11, 1994: Birth of Son Nicholas
On June 11, 1994, Vanna White gave birth to a son, Nicholas, from her marriage to George Santo Pietro.
August 1996: Appearance in 25th Anniversary Special
In August 1996, a clip of Vanna White's 1980 appearance on "The Price Is Right" was rebroadcast as part of "The Price Is Right 25th Anniversary Special."
1996: Guest Appearances and CD Release
In 1996, Vanna White guest-starred on Married...With Children and served as the main narrator and singer in the CD release of Leslie Bricusse's "Santa's Last Ride."
July 1, 1997: Birth of Daughter Giovanna
On July 1, 1997, Vanna White gave birth to a daughter, Giovanna, 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: Engaged to Michael Kaye
In 2004, Vanna White became engaged to Southern California businessman Michael Kaye, but they never married.
April 20, 2006: Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
On April 20, 2006, Vanna White received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Pat Sajak, Merv Griffin, and Alex Trebek attended as key witnesses.
2006: Engagement Ended
In 2006, Vanna White's engagement to Michael Kaye ended; they 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 the show's 30 seasons, averaging 606 claps per show.
May 24, 2013: Guinness World Record
On the May 24, 2013 episode of Wheel of Fortune, Vanna White was presented with a Guinness World Record certificate for most frequent clapper.
December 5, 2019: Sajak Returned to Wheel of Fortune
On December 5, 2019, Pat Sajak returned to Wheel of Fortune after recovering from surgery.
December 9, 2019: White Takes Over as Host of Wheel of Fortune
Starting the week of December 9, 2019, Vanna White temporarily took over hosting duties on Wheel of Fortune after Pat Sajak's emergency surgery. Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse were guest letter activators during the Secret Santa Holiday Giveaway.
December 23, 2019: Wheel of Fortune Hiatus
During Christmas week, December 23, 2019, Wheel of Fortune went on hiatus.
January 6, 2020: White Hosts Final Week
Vanna White returned to hosting Wheel of Fortune for a final week, starting on January 6, 2020, assisted by Pat Sajak's daughter Maggie.
January 13, 2020: Sajak's Episodes Aired
On January 13, 2020, the episodes of Wheel of Fortune that Pat Sajak had taped prior to his surgery aired.
September 2021: Guest Model on The Price is Right
In September 2021, Vanna White appeared as a Guest Model on "The Price Is Right Celebrates 50 Years", after her first appearance on the show in 1980.
2021: Hosted Celebrity Wheel of Fortune
Since 2021, Vanna White hosted Celebrity Wheel of Fortune on ABC with Pat Sajak.
May 2022: Special Guest on RuPaul's Drag Race
In May 2022, Vanna White was a special guest in the seventh season of "RuPaul's Drag Race: All Stars", where contestants paid tribute to her past looks.
2022: Death of Herbert White Jr.
In 2022, Herbert White Jr., Vanna White's stepfather, passed away.
April 21, 2023: Announcement of Documentary Featuring White
On April 21, 2023, it was announced that Vanna White would be featured in a four-episode ABC News documentary, "The Game Show Show", which covers the history of game shows in America.
May 10, 2023: Premiere of "The Game Show Show" Documentary
On May 10, 2023, the four-part documentary "The Game Show Show", featuring Vanna White, premiered on ABC News.
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 Jeopardy! hosts Ken Jennings and Mayim Bialik, with Maggie Sajak filling in for her at the puzzle board.
July 2023: Contract Extended for Celebrity Wheel of Fortune
In July 2023, Vanna White extended her contract on Celebrity Wheel of Fortune.
August 2023: White Contracts COVID-19
In August 2023, Vanna White contracted COVID-19, causing her to miss filming five episodes of Wheel of Fortune.
September 2023: Extended Wheel of Fortune Contract
In September 2023, Vanna White extended her contract as host of Wheel of Fortune through the 2025-26 season.
October 2023: Return to Wheel of Fortune
In October 2023, Vanna White returned to Wheel of Fortune after recovering from COVID-19.
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