Vanna White, an American television personality, model, and actress, has a net worth of $85 million, according to celebritynetworth, primarily from her long-standing role as the hostess and puzzle board turner on the popular game show “Wheel of Fortune.”
Interestingly, despite her co-host Pat Sajak’s long tenure on the show, White’s net worth is $10 million higher than his.
This is partly due to her savvy investments in real estate with her former husband, George Santo Pietro, a real estate developer and restaurateur.
While White’s annual salary from “Wheel of Fortune” is an impressive $10 million, her largest income comes from licensing her image and Pat Sajak to casino slot machines.
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Quick Stats
Name | Vanna Marie Rosich |
Birthdate | February 18, 1957 |
Birthplace | Conway, South Carolina, USA |
Occupation | Television personality |
Nationality | American |
Education | Atlanta School of Fashion and Design |
Spouse | Ex: George Santo Pietro m. 1990–2002 |
Children | Nicholas Pietro (Niko Santo Pietro), Giovanna Pietro (Gigi Santo Pietro) |
Parents | Miguel Angel Rosich, Joan Marie |
Zodiac Sign | Aquarius |
Religion | Baptist Christian |
Height | 5 Feet 7 Inches |
Weight | 55 kg (121 lb) |
Marital Status | Divorced |
Net Worth | $85 million |
Vanna White Salary
Vanna and Sajak are the co-hosts of the popular game show “Wheel of Fortune.” Vanna’s annual salary is $10 million, while Pat’s is $14 million.
They film four days per month, taping six shows daily, usually two Thursdays and two Fridays. They arrive around 8:30 am on taping days and begin shooting at noon.
The first audience watches three shows, then takes a break for lunch, after which the second audience watches three more tapings.
Interestingly, Vanna and Pat’s Wheel of Fortune salaries are not their primary source of income. They make more money by licensing their images to casino slot machines than they do from the game show itself.
Nonetheless, Vanna earns an impressive $208,333 per workday, while Pat earns an even more astounding $312,500. Breaking it down per show, Pat earns $48,611, and Vanna earns $34,722 per show.
Vanna White Casino Licensing Earnings
Surprisingly, Vanna White’s largest annual income doesn’t come from her salary on “Wheel of Fortune.” Vanna and Pat earn more money from licensing their images to casino slot machines than hosting the game show.
As the first entertainment property to be licensed for use on slot machines, “Wheel of Fortune” quickly became a hit in Las Vegas in 1996.
It was then licensed to casinos worldwide and became the highest revenue-generating slot machine in most casinos within a decade.
Today, there are approximately 20,000 “Wheel” slot machines in casinos worldwide, generating over $2 billion in gross revenue, with over $1 billion coming from Las Vegas alone.
In exchange for licensing their images and likenesses to the slot machines, Pat and Vanna earn at least $15 million annually, including a base royalty payment and various bonuses and appearance fees.
Vanna White Annual Income
If you add it all together, Vanna White’s annual income easily exceeds $25 million yearly, thanks to her “Wheel of Fortune” salary and casino licensing revenues.
Wheel of Fortune
The popular game show “Wheel of Fortune” was originally conceived by Merv Griffin, a game-show genius, during a family road trip in the mid-1970s.
He played the word game hangman and, with the help of his production company’s executives, tweaked the game to create what is now known as “Wheel of Fortune.”
The show premiered on January 6, 1975, with Chuck Woolery as the original host. However, Woolery was replaced in 1981 after he demanded a significant pay raise that Merv Griffin rejected.
A local NBC Los Angeles weatherman, Pat Sajak, was chosen as Woolery’s replacement.
Susan Stafford was the original hostess of “Wheel of Fortune” and worked on the show from its debut until October 1982, when she left to become a humanitarian worker.
Over 200 of LA’s most beautiful and talented models auditioned to replace her, including Playboy centrefold Vicki McCarthy and Vanna White.
Ultimately, Vanna White was chosen as the new hostess, and she made her debut on December 13, 1982, and has been the show’s primary hostess ever since.
Vanna White has worn more than 6,700 dresses during her tenure on the show without any repeats.
However, she does not get to keep her wardrobe from the show and usually borrows the dresses from designers, returning them after taping.
Playboy Lawsuit
Thirty years of fame and fortune hasn’t been without its challenges for Vanna White. In 1987, she appeared in Playboy Magazine, causing shock across middle America.
The photos were taken in 1982 before she landed the “Wheel of Fortune” gig and were sold to Playboy without her permission.
Vanna filed a $5.2 million lawsuit, claiming the photos were never meant for mass publication, but the lawsuit was eventually dropped. Vanna later explained that she did the shoot out of financial need and regretted it.
Vanna White Real Estate
Previously, George Santo Pietro and Vanna resided in the exclusive gated community known as The Mulholland Estates, home to several famous residents such as Jack Nicholson and Warren Beatty.
Later, the couple constructed a 15,000-square-foot spec house in another gated community, Beverly Park, where they lived until their separation in 2002.
After their divorce, they both moved out of the property, which was rented out for $175,000 monthly for several years.
In 2017, the house was put up for sale for $47.5 million, and eventually, they sold the two properties separately.
The second lot was sold for $22 million, while the primary lot, which featured Vanna’s mansion, was sold for $19.3 million in June 2020.
Vanna White Investments
Vanna uses her earnings to invest in apartment buildings and enjoys flipping houses. Her primary residence has been a 10,000-square-foot mansion in the hills above Beverly Hills.
She acquired the property in the early 2000s for $3.4 million, estimated to be worth more than $10 million today.
In 2013, Vanna purchased a home in Sherman Oaks, California, for $1.125 million. In May 2020, she listed the property for rent at $20,000 per month.
Vanna White Car Collection
Vanna White, the co-host of the popular game show “Wheel of Fortune,” is known for her love of cars and has amassed a significant car collection over the years.
Some of the notable cars in her collection include a Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet, a Mercedes-Benz SL600, a Lexus LS 460, and an Audi R8 Spyder. She also owns classic cars such as a 1956 Ford Thunderbird and a 1966 Mustang Convertible.
In addition to her car collection, Vanna is an avid crocheter and has published several books on the subject.