Vanna White is a prominent American television personality, model, and actress known primarily for her long-standing role on “Wheel of Fortune.” With a net worth estimated at $85 million, she has built a significant career in the entertainment industry.
For many years, White’s salary remained static, reportedly at $3 million from 2005 until 2023.
However, after Pat Sajak’s retirement announcement in June 2023 and the introduction of Ryan Seacrest as his successor, Vanna requested a salary increase to $7.5 million to continue her role on the show.
As a result, her total earnings, including her hosting duties on other ABC programs like “Celebrity Wheel of Fortune,” amount to approximately $10 million through the 2025-2026 season.
Vanna White has indeed carved out a remarkable career as the beloved hostess of “Wheel of Fortune,” which has significantly contributed to her wealth. With a net worth of $85 million, she is $10 million richer than her co-host Pat Sajak, whose net worth stands at $75 million.
This financial advantage can be attributed in part to successful real estate investments she made with her former husband, George Santo Pietro, who is a real estate developer and restaurateur.
White earns an impressive annual salary of $10 million from “Wheel of Fortune,” but interestingly, this is not her largest source of income.
Both Vanna White and Pat Sajak reportedly earn more from licensing their images for casino slot machines than from their actual work on the game show.
In June 2023, Pat Sajak announced his retirement plans from “Wheel of Fortune” at the end of its 41st season, with Ryan Seacrest later confirmed to take over the hosting role starting in 2024.
Vanna White Salary
Vanna White’s salary from “Wheel of Fortune” has been a topic of discussion, especially following Pat Sajak’s retirement announcement in June 2023.
For 18 years, Vanna’s salary remained unchanged at $3 million per year, while Pat’s salary was reported to be $15 million.
After the news of Pat’s retirement, it was revealed that Vanna’s lawyer demanded a salary increase to at least 50% of Pat’s earnings, which would raise her annual salary to $7.5 million for the upcoming 42nd season, when Ryan Seacrest is set to take over hosting duties.
This negotiation reflects her significant role on the show and the desire for compensation more commensurate with her contributions.
“Wheel of Fortune” has a structured taping schedule, with the show recording four days each month—two Thursdays and two Fridays—resulting in six episodes being filmed each taping day. Both Vanna White and Pat Sajak arrive around 8:30 AM, with shooting beginning at noon.
Each audience watches three shows, followed by a break for lunch before the second audience comes in for the next three episodes.
In total, Vanna and Pat work about 48 days a year to film the show. Given Vanna’s annual salary of $3 million, this breaks down to approximately $62,500 per workday.
In contrast, Pat’s salary of $15 million translates to about $312,500 per workday. This stark difference in earnings per workday highlights the significant disparity in their compensation, despite both contributing equally to the show’s success.
When considering both Vanna White’s salary from “Wheel of Fortune” and her earnings from casino licensing, her total annual income significantly exceeds $15 million.
With her base salary at $10 million per year (after the proposed increase from $3 million), along with additional income from licensing her image for casino slot machines, Vanna’s earnings from these ventures combined would indeed place her well above the $15 million mark annually.
Real Estate Properties
Vanna White and her ex-husband, George Santo Pietro, previously lived in the exclusive gated community of The Mulholland Estates, where they were neighbors to notable celebrities like Jack Nicholson and Warren Beatty.
Later, they built an impressive 15,000-square-foot spec house in Beverly Park, another upscale gated community, which they occupied until their divorce in 2002.
Following their split, they rented the Beverly Park home for $175,000 per month for several years. In 2017, they put the property on the market for $47.5 million.
Eventually, they sold the two properties separately: the main mansion was sold in June 2020 for $19.3 million, while the adjacent lot sold for $22 million.
Her primary residence is a sprawling 10,000-square-foot mansion located in the hills above Beverly Hills, which she purchased in the early 2000s for $3.4 million.
This property has likely appreciated significantly, with current estimates suggesting it is worth over $10 million today.
In addition to her primary home, Vanna acquired a property in Sherman Oaks, California, for $1.125 million in 2013. She listed this home for rent in May 2020 at $20,000 per month, further showcasing her investment strategy and real estate portfolio.
