Vanna White is an American television personality and game show hostess, widely recognized for co-hosting Wheel of Fortune since 1982. Starting her career as a model while studying fashion, she participated in the 1978 Miss Georgia USA pageant. Besides her long-standing role on Wheel of Fortune, White has made appearances in various films and television series, often playing herself or minor roles. She authored the autobiography, Vanna Speaks, in 1987. Beyond entertainment, White invests in real estate, owns the yarn company Vanna's Choice, and actively supports St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
1925: Birth of Herbert White Jr.
Herbert White Jr., Vanna White's stepfather, was born in 1925.
February 18, 1957: Birth of Vanna White
Vanna Marie Rosich, later known as Vanna White, was born on February 18, 1957, near North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
1978: Miss Georgia USA Pageant
In 1978, Vanna White participated in the Miss Georgia USA pageant.
1978: Miss Georgia USA Pageant
Vanna White participated as a contestant in the Miss Georgia USA 1978 pageant.
1979: Move to Los Angeles
Vanna White moved to Los Angeles in 1979 to pursue an acting career.
June 20, 1980: The Price Is Right Appearance
On June 20, 1980, Vanna White appeared as a contestant on The Price Is Right.
1980: Return to South Carolina
Vanna White briefly returned to South Carolina in 1980 to care for her ailing mother.
1980: Uncompleted Film Project
Vanna White worked on a film project in 1980, which was ultimately not completed.
1981: Looker and Graduation Day
Vanna White had a role in the film Looker and played Doris in Graduation Day in 1981.
October 1982: Substitute Hostess on Wheel of Fortune
Vanna White became a substitute hostess for Wheel of Fortune in October 1982 after Susan Stafford's departure.
December 13, 1982: Regular Hostess on Wheel of Fortune
Vanna White became the regular hostess of Wheel of Fortune on December 13, 1982.
1982: Wheel of Fortune Co-Host
Vanna White became the regular co-host of Wheel of Fortune in 1982.
September 19, 1983: Wheel of Fortune Debut
Vanna White's journey with Wheel of Fortune began on September 19, 1983, marking the start of her role on the show's modern syndicated run.
1986: John Gibson's Death
Vanna White's fiancé, John Gibson, tragically died in a plane crash in 1986.
1987: Vanna Speaks! and Playboy Pictorial
In 1987, Vanna White published her autobiography, "Vanna Speaks!", and was featured in a Playboy pictorial with previously taken photos.
1987: Vanna Speaks! and Playboy Pictorial
Vanna White's autobiography, "Vanna Speaks!", was published and became a bestseller in 1987. The same year, she appeared in a Playboy pictorial.
1988: Goddess of Love
Vanna White starred as Venus in the television movie Goddess of Love in 1988.
June 1990: Release of Gypsy Angels
The uncompleted film Vanna White worked on in 1980 was edited and released as Gypsy Angels in June 1990.
1990: Marriage to George Santo Pietro
Vanna White married restaurant owner George Santo Pietro in 1990.
1991: Last Episode Missed Before 2023
Vanna White's absence in 2023 marked the first time she missed an episode of Wheel of Fortune since 1991.
September 1992: Pregnancy Announcement and Miscarriage
In September 1992, Vanna White became pregnant; the news was even featured on Wheel of Fortune. Sadly, she experienced a miscarriage shortly after the episode's taping.
1993: Lawsuit against Samsung
In 1993, Vanna White successfully sued Samsung Electronics for an advertisement that she argued infringed upon her personality rights.
1994: Birth of Son
Vanna White gave birth to her son in 1994.
1994: Cameo Appearances
Vanna White made cameo appearances in Naked Gun 33 1/3: The Final Insult and Double Dragon in 1994.
August 1996: The Price Is Right 25th Anniversary Special
Footage of Vanna White's appearance on The Price Is Right was rebroadcast as part of the show's 25th-anniversary special in August 1996.
1996: Santa's Last Ride
Vanna White narrated and sang in the CD release of "Santa's Last Ride" in 1996.
1997: Birth of Daughter
Vanna White gave birth to her daughter in 1997.
November 2002: Divorce from George Santo Pietro
Vanna White and George Santo Pietro divorced in November 2002, ending their marriage.
2004: Engagement to Michael Kaye
Vanna White became engaged to Michael Kaye in 2004.
April 20, 2006: Hollywood Walk of Fame Star
Vanna White received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on April 20, 2006.
2006: End of Engagement with Michael Kaye
Vanna White's engagement to Michael Kaye ended in 2006.
2012: Relationship with John Donaldson
Vanna White began a relationship with John Donaldson in 2012.
January 31, 2013: Clapping Milestone
As of January 31, 2013, Vanna White had clapped an estimated 3,480,864 times on Wheel of Fortune.
May 24, 2013: Guinness World Record
On May 24, 2013, Vanna White received a Guinness World Record for "Most Frequent Clapper."
2017: Beverly Hills Home Listing
Vanna White listed her Beverly Hills home for sale in 2017.
December 5, 2019: Pat Sajak's Return to Taping
Pat Sajak returned to taping Wheel of Fortune on December 5, 2019, following his surgery.
December 9, 2019: Temporary Host of Wheel of Fortune
Vanna White temporarily took over hosting Wheel of Fortune on December 9, 2019, due to Pat Sajak's health issues.
December 23, 2019: Wheel of Fortune Hiatus
Wheel of Fortune went on hiatus during Christmas week of December 23, 2019.
2019: Philanthropy to St. Jude
As of 2019, Vanna White has donated $1.8 million to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
January 6, 2020: Return to Hosting Wheel of Fortune
Vanna White returned to hosting Wheel of Fortune on January 6, 2020, after a brief hiatus.
January 13, 2020: Pat Sajak's Return to Airing
Pat Sajak's return to Wheel of Fortune began airing on January 13, 2020.
September 2021: The Price Is Right 50th Anniversary Special
Vanna White appeared as a guest model on The Price Is Right 50th Anniversary Special in September 2021, with footage of her original appearance also being shown.
September 2021: Guest Appearance on The Price is Right
In September 2021, Vanna White made a guest appearance on The Price Is Right Celebrates 50 Years.
2021: Celebrity Wheel of Fortune
Vanna White and Pat Sajak began hosting Celebrity Wheel of Fortune in 2021.
April 1, 2022: Death of Stepfather
Vanna White's stepfather, Herbert White Jr., passed away peacefully on April 1, 2022.
May 2022: RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars Appearance
Vanna White appeared as a special guest on RuPaul's Drag Race: All Stars in May 2022.
2022: Death of Herbert White Jr.
Herbert White Jr., Vanna White's stepfather, passed away in 2022.
April 21, 2023: The Game Show Show Announcement
On April 21, 2023, ABC News announced Vanna White's participation in a four-part documentary, The Game Show Show.
May 10, 2023: The Game Show Show Premiere
The Game Show Show, a four-part documentary featuring Vanna White, premiered on May 10, 2023.
May 2023: Celebrity Wheel of Fortune Contestant
Vanna White competed as a contestant on a celebrity edition of Wheel of Fortune in May 2023.
July 2023: Celebrity Wheel of Fortune Contract Extension
Vanna White extended her contract for Celebrity Wheel of Fortune in July 2023.
August 2023: Absence from Wheel of Fortune Due to COVID-19
Vanna White missed filming Wheel of Fortune episodes in August 2023 due to contracting COVID-19.
September 2023: Wheel of Fortune Contract Extension
Vanna White extended her contract as host of Wheel of Fortune through the 2025-2026 season in September 2023.
October 2023: Return to Wheel of Fortune after COVID-19
Vanna White returned to hosting Wheel of Fortune in October 2023 after recovering from COVID-19.
2023: Renting Sherman Oaks Home
Vanna White began renting her home in Sherman Oaks in 2023.
2025: Contract Extension Through 2025-2026 Season
Vanna White's contract as host of Wheel of Fortune was extended through the 2025-2026 season.