Vanna White facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Vanna White
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Vanna White next to the puzzle board on Wheel of Fortune in 2006.
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Vanna Marie Rosich
February 18, 1957 |
| Occupation | Game-show co-host, television personality, model, actress |
| Years active | 1980–present |
| Known for | Wheel of Fortune |
| Spouse(s) |
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| Children | 2 |
| Awards | Hollywood Walk of Fame |
Vanna Marie White (born February 18, 1957) is a famous American television personality. She is best known as the co-host of the game show Wheel of Fortune. She has been on the show since 1982.
Vanna started her career as a model. She also studied fashion. She even competed in the Miss Georgia USA pageant in 1978. Besides Wheel of Fortune, she has acted in movies and TV shows. She also wrote a book called Vanna Speaks in 1987. Vanna also invests in real estate. She has her own yarn brand called Vanna's Choice. She supports St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, which helps sick children.
Contents
Early Life and Beginnings
Vanna Marie Rosich was born on February 18, 1957. This was near North Myrtle Beach. Her parents divorced when she was a baby. Her mother, Joan, and stepfather, Herbert White Jr., raised her. Vanna took her stepfather's last name, White. He was a real estate broker.
After high school, Vanna moved to Atlanta, Georgia. She went to The Atlanta School of Fashion and Design. She also worked as a model there. In 1979, she moved to Los Angeles. She wanted to become an actress. In 1980, she went back to South Carolina. She spent time with her mother, who was very sick.
Vanna's Career Journey
Early TV and Movie Roles
Before Wheel of Fortune, Vanna was a contestant. She was on the June 20, 1980, episode of The Price Is Right. She didn't make it to the main stage. But a clip of her running was shown again later.
In 1981, Vanna had small parts in movies. She was in Looker and the horror film Graduation Day. Her book, Vanna Speaks!, came out in 1987. It was a very popular book. In 1988, she played Venus in the TV movie Goddess of Love.
Vanna has also made guest appearances on many TV shows. These include L.A. Law and Full House. She was also in movies like Naked Gun 33 1/3. She even lent her voice to cartoons. She was in Captain Planet and the Planeteers.
On April 20, 2006, Vanna received a special honor. She got a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Pat Sajak and Merv Griffin were there to celebrate with her. In May 2022, Vanna appeared on RuPaul's Drag Race: All Stars. Contestants dressed up in outfits inspired by her. In 2023, she was part of a documentary. It was called The Game Show Show. It covered the history of game shows.
Becoming a Wheel of Fortune Star
In October 1982, the original Wheel of Fortune hostess left. Vanna White was chosen as one of three people to fill in. On December 13, 1982, Vanna became the regular hostess. She has been there ever since.
In December 2019, Vanna hosted Wheel of Fortune for a short time. This happened when Pat Sajak had emergency surgery. Guest letter activators helped her during these shows. Even Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse helped! Pat Sajak's daughter, Maggie Sajak, also helped Vanna. Pat Sajak returned to the show in January 2020.
In August 2023, Vanna missed filming five episodes. She had COVID-19. This was the first time she missed an episode since 1991. Bridgette Donald-Blue filled in for her. Vanna returned to the show in October 2023.
Since 2021, Vanna and Pat Sajak have also hosted Celebrity Wheel of Fortune. This show is on ABC. Vanna has signed contracts to stay on Wheel of Fortune until the 2025–26 season. In May 2023, Vanna even played as a contestant on a special Wheel of Fortune episode. She played against Jeopardy! hosts Ken Jennings and Mayim Bialik.
Real Estate and Hobbies
Vanna uses her earnings to invest in buildings. She also enjoys buying and selling houses. This is called flipping houses. In 2017, she listed her home in Beverly Hills for a lot of money.
When Vanna was five, her grandmother taught her to crochet. She lost interest for a while. But then she saw her hairdresser crocheting. Vanna remembered how much she loved it. Now, she often crochets when she has free time. She finds it very relaxing.
Vanna has her own line of yarn. It is called Vanna's Choice. She also supports crochet and knitting books. These books are published in her name.
A World Record Holder
Vanna White is famous for revealing letters on the game board. She is also known for her big smile. And she claps a lot to support the contestants! On May 24, 2013, Vanna received a special award. She got a Guinness World Record certificate. It was for being the most frequent clapper! As of January 31, 2013, she had clapped about 3,480,864 times. This means she claps about 606 times per show.
Vanna's Personal Life
In the 1980s, Vanna was engaged to actor John Gibson. Sadly, he died in a plane crash in 1986. In 1990, Vanna married restaurant owner George Santo Pietro. They had a son in 1994 and a daughter in 1997. The couple later divorced in 2002. From 2004 to 2006, she was engaged to Michael Kaye. Since 2012, Vanna has been in a relationship with contractor John Donaldson. They met through friends.
Vanna is a Baptist. Her children often come to Wheel of Fortune tapings. On April 1, 2022, Vanna announced that her stepfather, Herbert White Jr., had passed away.
Helping Others
Vanna White is very generous. As of 2019, she has given $1.8 million to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. This hospital helps children who are very sick. She plans to keep helping others even after she retires.
Images for kids
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Vanna White next to the puzzle board on Wheel of Fortune in 2006.
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Vanna White with Pat Sajak in 2006.
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Vanna White's handprints at Walt Disney World's Disney's Hollywood Studios theme park.
See also
In Spanish: Vanna White para niños
