Image Credit: ABC
Vanna White has co-hosted Wheel of Fortune since 1982.
Pat Sajak is leaving the show in 2024 and will be replaced by Ryan Seacrest.
Vanna has extended her contract by two years.
Vanna White has been a staple on Wheel Of Fortune since 1982, but the game show is getting a major shakeup soon. Pat Sajak announced that he’s leaving the show after season 41 wraps in 2024, and Ryan Seacrest is going to be the new host. Amid lengthy contract negotiations, Wheel of Fortune fans have been anxious to find out if Vanna, 66, will return when Ryan, 48, picks up the mantle from Pat, 76.
Vanna has said before that it’s “depressing” to imagine doing Wheel of Fortune without Pat. Now we have an answer as to whether or not the legendary letter-turner will stay on for this next chapter. Here’s everything we know about Vanna’s future with the iconic game show.
Vanna White on ‘Wheel of Fortune.’ (Kobal/Shutterstock)
Is Vanna White Leaving Wheel of Fortune With Pat Sajak?
Vanna is not leaving Wheel of Fortune with her longtime co-host. Vanna has extended her contract by two years, which will keep her on the show through the 2025-26 TV season, according to Variety.
The last time Vanna addressed her future on the show was in Dec. 2022, when she reacted to Pat telling Entertainment Tonight that the dynamic duo is “certainly closer to the end than the beginning” of their time on the show together.
“I don’t even want to think about that,” Vanna said to PEOPLE at the time. “I mean, we’re a team. That’s depressing. I don’t even want to think about it.” In that same interview, Vanna said she has “no idea” if the show will continue without the two of them. “I can’t imagine. Everybody relates Wheel of Fortune to Pat and Vanna. We’re like Ken and Barbie, you know?” she said. “We’ve been in everybody’s homes for 40 years, so it would be weird having somebody else turn my letters.”
Vanna White’s Future on Wheel of Fortune
Vanna’s current contract with Sony Pictures Television (which produces Wheel of Fortune) initially expired after the 2023 — 2024 season. While Pat is retiring from the show, Vanna is staying on. Pat and Vanna inked their latest deal with Sony in Sept. 2021, ahead of the season 39 premiere.
In December, Vanna told PEOPLE how grateful she is to still be on Wheel Of Fortune. “It’s incredible. I cannot believe it’s been 40 years. Honestly, I’ve loved every minute of it. Who still says they love their job after 40 years? Me! I really do. It’s a fun show,” Vanna said. “Everybody watches and enjoys it and it changes people’s lives and it makes people happy. So it’s a great job.”
Will Vanna White Replace Pat Sajak as Host?
There was speculation that Vanna could take over for Pat as host before Ryan secured the job in June 2023. She filled in for Pat for three weeks after he underwent emergency surgery in Nov. 2019. At the time, Vanna admitted she was “very nervous” for her last-minute hosting gig. Pat’s daughter Maggie Sajak who has been with the show as the social correspondent since 2021, was also thrown out there as a possibility to succeed her dad as host. It was reported that Ryan had “been talking” to the Wheel of Fortune producers about snatching the job before the official announcement came on June 27.
Why Is Pat Sajak Leaving?
After over 40 years with the show, Pat announced in June 2023 that he was leaving Wheel of Fortune. “Well, the time has come. I’ve decided that our 41st season, which begins in September, will be my last,” he said in his statement. “It’s been a wonderful ride, and I’ll have more to say in the coming months. Many thanks to you all. (If nothing else, it’ll keep the clickbait sites busy!).”
Vanna White and Pat Sajak in 2017. (Patrick Lewis/Starpix/Shutterstock)
Vanna reacted to Pat’s big career change and showed support to her longtime co-host on Twitter. “When we started @WheelofFortune who could have imagined we’d still be at it 41 seasons later?” she wrote in response to his message that he’s leaving the show. “I couldn’t be happier to have shared the stage with you for all these years with one more to come. Cheers to you, @patsajak!” Vanna added.
