The Wheel of Fortune co-host has now been working on the game show for 40 years, and Pat Sajak and the show surprised her with a cake and elaborate celebratory display marking the occasion after a recent episode. On Instagram, White shared a picture from this moment along with a throwback photo from her beginning on Wheel of Fortune. She captioned the post, “I can’t believe I’m saying this, but 40 years ago today I taped my first episode of @wheeloffortune It’s been a wonderful 40 years, too! I’m so grateful to those of you who watch and everyone behind the scenes who make us look good. We wouldn’t still be here without all of you! (And the cake was delicious!)” The Wheel of Fortune Instagram account commented, “We love you ❤️,” while Maggie Sajak, White’s co-host’s daughter, wrote, “💖💖💖.” Many more people congratulated White on the momentous occasion in the comments. The Wheel of Fortune Instagram account also marked the anniversary, sharing a behind-the-scenes video of when the cast and crew came together to surprise White with the cake and display. The display had a few small standees showing off some of White’s best looks, alongside a big, gold “40,” a mini version of the show’s iconic wheel, and a sign that said “Happy Anniversary Vanna” over a picture of the letter board. Sajak says in the clip, “Folks, it was 40 years ago on this very date that this young lady walked into the studio, trembling, and did her first Wheel of Fortune. And here she is. Happy 40th, my dear.” The account wrote in the caption, “Take a look behind the scenes of Vanna’s 40th Anniversary Celebration! Only the best for our favorite fashion icon, letter-turner, and person with a soul as beautiful as she is! ❤️🎉🥳.” White also commented on the video, writing, “It seems like only yesterday!” It’s unclear how long both Sajak and White plan to stay on Wheel of Fortune, but according to a 2021 report from Variety, they are contracted to work until at least 2024.
