History of Vanna White in Timeline
Vanna White is an American television personality, primarily known for co-hosting the game show Wheel of Fortune since 1982. Before her long-running role, she was a model and competed in Miss Georgia USA. Beyond her television career, White has made appearances in films and television series, authored her autobiography, and ventured into real estate investment. She also owns a yarn brand called Vanna's Choice. A notable philanthropist, she actively supports St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
February 18, 1957: Vanna Marie Rosich Born
On February 18, 1957, Vanna Marie Rosich was born near North Myrtle Beach in Horry County, South Carolina, the daughter of Joan Marie (Nicholas) and Miguel Angel Rosich.
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 her television fame.
1978: Contestant in Miss Georgia USA Pageant
In 1978, Vanna White participated as a contestant in the Miss Georgia USA pageant, before her television career.
1979: Moved to Los Angeles
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 as a contestant on The Price Is Right.
1980: Acted in Uncompleted Film
In 1980, Vanna White acted in a film that was not completed.
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: Appearance in Looker and Graduation Day
In 1981, Vanna White had a bit part in the film Looker and also appeared as Doris in the horror movie Graduation Day.
October 1982: Selected as Substitute Hostess for Wheel of Fortune
In October 1982, after Susan Stafford's departure, Vanna White was selected as one of three substitute hostesses for Wheel of Fortune.
December 13, 1982: Became Regular Hostess of Wheel of Fortune
On December 13, 1982, Vanna White became the regular hostess of Wheel of Fortune.
1982: Became 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.
September 19, 1983: Modern Syndicated Run Began
On September 19, 1983, the modern syndicated run of Wheel of Fortune began.
1986: Fiancé John Gibson Died
In 1986, Vanna White's fiancé, soap opera actor John Gibson, died in an airplane crash.
1987: Vanna Speaks Autobiography
In 1987, Vanna White released her autobiography, Vanna Speaks, which became a best-seller.
1987: Published Autobiography and Featured in Playboy
In 1987, Vanna White's autobiography, Vanna Speaks!, was a best-seller, and she was featured in a Playboy pictorial with photos taken before Wheel of Fortune.
1988: Starred in Goddess of Love
In 1988, Vanna White starred as the title character, Venus, in the television movie Goddess of Love.
June 1990: Gypsy Angels Released
In June 1990, a film that Vanna White acted in during 1980, but was not completed at the time, was edited and released as Gypsy Angels.
1990: Married George Santo Pietro
In 1990, Vanna White married restaurant owner George Santo Pietro.
1991: Did not miss an episode
As of 1991, Vanna White had not missed any episodes of Wheel of Fortune
September 1992: Pregnancy Announcement and Miscarriage
In September 1992, Vanna White first became pregnant, and a puzzle on Wheel of Fortune contained "Vanna's pregnant" as the answer, but she miscarried shortly after.
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 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: Cameo Appearances in Films
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: Appearance in 25th Anniversary Special
In August 1996, a clip of Vanna White's appearance on The Price Is Right was rebroadcast as part of The Price Is Right 25th Anniversary Special.
1996: Guest Appearances and Narration
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."
1997: Birth of Daughter
In 1997, Vanna White gave birth to a daughter from her marriage to George Santo Pietro.
November 2002: Divorced George Santo Pietro
In November 2002, Vanna White and George Santo Pietro divorced.
2004: Engagement to Michael Kaye
In 2004, Vanna White became engaged to Southern California businessman Michael Kaye.
April 20, 2006: Received Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame
On April 20, 2006, Vanna White was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
2006: Ended Engagement to Michael Kaye
By 2006, Vanna White's engagement to Michael Kaye had ended, and they never wed.
2012: Began Relationship with John Donaldson
Since 2012, Vanna White has been in a relationship with contractor John Donaldson.
January 31, 2013: Clapped 3,480,864 Times
As of January 31, 2013, Vanna White had clapped an estimated 3,480,864 times across the show's 30 seasons.
May 24, 2013: Presented with Guinness World Record Certificate
On May 24, 2013, Vanna White was presented with a Guinness World Record certificate for most frequent clapper on Wheel of Fortune.
2017: Listed Beverly Hills Home for Sale
In 2017, Vanna White listed her Beverly Hills home for $47.5 million.
December 5, 2019: Sajak Returns to Wheel of Fortune
Fully recovered from his surgery, Pat Sajak returned to Wheel of Fortune on December 5, 2019, with episodes airing later.
December 9, 2019: White Takes Over Hosting Wheel of Fortune
Starting the week of episodes slated to air on December 9, 2019, Vanna White temporarily took over hosting Wheel of Fortune as master of ceremonies after Sajak was hospitalized. Guest letter activators Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse were implemented during the Secret Santa Holiday Giveaway.
December 23, 2019: Wheel of Fortune on Hiatus
During Christmas week, December 23, 2019, Wheel of Fortune went on hiatus.
2019: Donated to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
As of 2019, Vanna White has donated $1.8 million to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and plans to continue her philanthropy after retirement.
January 6, 2020: Final Week Hosting Wheel of Fortune
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 Air on Wheel of Fortune
On January 13, 2020, episodes of Wheel of Fortune that Pat Sajak hosted aired after his return.
September 2021: Guest Model on The Price Is Right Celebrates 50 Years
In September 2021, Vanna White appeared as a guest model during The Price Is Right Celebrates 50 Years.
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, presenting a set of luggage.
2021: Hosted Celebrity Wheel of Fortune
Starting in 2021, Pat Sajak and Vanna White began hosting Celebrity Wheel of Fortune on ABC.
April 1, 2022: Death of Stepfather
On April 1, 2022, Vanna White announced that her stepfather, Herbert White Jr., had died peacefully that morning.
May 2022: Special Guest on RuPaul's Drag Race: All Stars
In May 2022, Vanna White appeared as a special guest in the seventh season of RuPaul's Drag Race: All Stars, where contestants did a runway in tribute to her past looks.
2022: Herbert White Jr. Died
Herbert White Jr., Vanna White's stepfather, who was born in 1925, died in 2022.
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: The Game Show Show Premiere
On May 10, 2023, the four-part documentary "The Game Show Show," featuring Vanna White, premiered.
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.
July 2023: Extended Contract on Celebrity Wheel of Fortune
In July 2023, Vanna White extended her contract on Celebrity Wheel of Fortune.
August 2023: Missed Filming Due to COVID-19
In August 2023, Vanna White missed filming five episodes of Wheel of Fortune after contracting COVID-19, being temporarily replaced by Bridgette Donald-Blue.
September 2023: Extended Contract as Host of Wheel of Fortune
In September 2023, Vanna White extended her contract as host of Wheel of Fortune through the 2025–26 season.
October 2023: Returned as Hostess of Wheel of Fortune
In October 2023, Vanna White returned as hostess of Wheel of Fortune after recovering from COVID-19.
2023: Began Renting Home in Sherman Oaks
In 2023, Vanna White began renting her home in Sherman Oaks.
2025: Extended Contract as Host of Wheel of Fortune
Vanna White will continue to host Wheel of Fortune through 2025.
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