Vanna White is an American television personality and game-show hostess, best known as the co-host of the game show Wheel of Fortune, a position she has held since 1982.
She began her career as a model while studying fashion, competing in Miss Georgia USA in 1978. In addition to her work on Wheel of Fortune, she has played minor characters or appeared as herself in many films and television series, and is the author of the 1987 autobiography Vanna Speaks.
She also participates in real-estate investment, owns the yarn brand Vanna’s Choice, and is a patron of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Vanna White Biography
Vanna White was born Vanna Marie Rosich on 18 February 1957, in Conway, South Carolina, USA, to Miguel Angel Rosich and Joan Marie. Miguel was of Puerto Rican descent. He abandoned the family when Vanna was just few months old. Hence, she was brought up by her mother.
Later, her mother married Herbert Stackley White. The family then moved to North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, where Herbert worked as a real estate agent. Subsequently, Vanna was adopted by her stepfather and became Vanna White.
As a child, Vanna did not intend to become a television star nor did she watch television shows that often. Things changed when she had to undergo appendectomy at the age of 11. While recuperating, watching television shows became her favorite pastime.
While watching ‘The Rat Patrol,’ she realized that the part of ‘Sgt Sam Troy’ was being played by her uncle Christopher George. She was elated to know that her uncle was on TV and decided to follow in his footsteps.
After graduating high school, Vanna Joined ‘Atlanta School of Fashion’ in Atlanta, Georgia. During that period, she supported herself by taking up modeling assignments.
In 1979, she moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in acting. She took up a number of jobs to sustain herself. However, she returned home for a brief period and stayed back to take care of her ailing mother, who had been diagnosed with cancer, until her death in 1980.
Career
After her mother’s death, Vanna White returned to Los Angeles and continued working as a waitress. Meanwhile, she managed to land small roles in films, such as ‘Looker’ (1981) and ‘Graduation Day’ (1981).
In 1982, Vanna appeared in an episode of TV series ‘Star of the Family.’ Later in November, she auditioned for ‘Wheel of Fortune,’ and was chosen out of 200 applicants to join the game show as a co-host and letter turner.
Vanna White first joined ‘Wheel of Fortune’ on 13 December 1982. Since then, she has been acting as the show’s day time hostess. She also co-hosts the show with Pat Sajak in its evening version.
On September 1983, a syndicated version of ‘Wheel of Fortune’ was aired, post which Vanna White’s popularity began to increase. By 1986, the show had garnered 30 million viewers and grossed $100 million. By 1999, the number of viewers had reached 40 million.
On May 1987, Vanna published her biography ‘Vanna Speaks.’ Thanks to her huge popularity, the book became a best seller.
In 1988, Vanna appeared in ‘Goddess of Love,’ playing the role of ‘Venus.’ ‘Goddess of Love’ was a television film which aired on ‘NBC.’ Unfortunately, her performance could not attract positive reviews. The same year, she also appeared on ‘WrestleMania IV’ as a guest time keeper.
During 1990s, Vanna White voiced prominent characters in two animated TV series. One was a Canadian animated television special called ‘The Real Story of Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star’ (1992) and the other was ‘Captain Planet and the Planeteers,’ an American animated TV series, which ran from 1990 to 1996.
In 1994, she made a cameo appearance in ‘Naked Gun 33⅓: The Final Insult,’ the final installment in the ‘Naked Gun’ film series. In 1996, she was cast as the main narrator and singer in the CD release of ‘Santa’s Last Ride.’
She went on to make cameo appearances in several shows, such as ‘L.A. Law,’ ‘227,’ ‘Super Mario Bros. Super Show,’ ‘Simon and Simon,’ ‘The King of Queens,’ and ‘Full House.’ She also appeared as a guest-star on ‘Married…With Children.’ In 2017, she made a guest appearance in ‘Fresh Off the Boat.’
On April 20, 2006, she was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, with Pat Sajak, Merv Griffin, and Alex Trebek as key witnesses.
Vanna White lent her voice to the Canadian animated television special The Real Story of Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star and the American animated television series Captain Planet and the Planeteers.
White presented a set of luggage in a special guest appearance on The Price Is Right Celebrates 50 Years in September 2021.
In May 2022, White appeared as a special guest in the seventh season of RuPaul’s Drag Race: All Stars where the contestants did a runway in tribute to her past looks.
On April 21, 2023, it was announced that White would be featured in a four-episode documentary by ABC News titled The Game Show Show, covering the history of game shows in America over the last eight decades. The four-part documentary premiered on May 10, 2023.
Quick Facts
Who is Vanna White?
Vanna White is an American television personality, best known for hosting ‘Wheel of Fortune,’ a popular game show on ‘NBC.’
Although she has appeared in a number of TV series and films, it is her role as the ‘letter turner’ on the show that brought her fame and fortune.
Vanna White Age
Vanna White was born on February 18, 1957, and is currently 66 years old.
Vanna White Net Worth
Vanna White’s net worth is estimated to be $85 Million.
Vanna White Husband
Vanna White married restaurant owner George Santo Pietro in December 1990. Santo Pietro was born to a wealthy family in Beverly Hills.
The couple divorced in November 2002. From 2004 to 2006, she was engaged to Southern California businessman Michael Kaye.
The two never wed. Since 2012, White has been dating contractor John Donaldson, whom she met through mutual friends.
Vanna White Children
The television personality is the mother of two children: Nicholas “Nikko” Santo Pietro, 29, and Giovanna “Gigi” Santo Pietro, 26.
Vanna White shares her son and daughter with her ex-husband George Santo Pietro, whom she was married to from 1990 to 2002.
Vanna White Parents
Vanna White is the daughter of Joan Marie (Nicholas) and Miguel Angel Rosich.
Miguel was of Puerto Rican descent. He abandoned the family when Vanna was just few months old. Hence, she was brought up by her mother.
Vanna White Siblings
Vanna White comes from a large family with seven siblings, including half-siblings and step-siblings.
Among her siblings are her biological brother Chip White and her half and step brothers and sisters Chris Smith, Joe Spencer White, Dawn Lee White, PK, Ingrid, and Hope.
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