Vanna White Shares Heartfelt Tribute to 'Wheel of Fortune' Host Pat Sajak Ahead of His Final Episode

The duo appeared in over 8,000 episodes together since their partnership began in 1982.

June 7, 2024

Ricky Middlesworth / ABC via Getty Images

Vanna White honored Wheel of Fortune host Pat Sajak ahead of the icon's final episode.

White, 67, and Sajak, 77, appeared on over 8,000 episodes of the syndicated game show since they first teamed up in 1982. On Thursday, ahead of Sajak's curtain call, White shared a tribute to her co-host of more than 40 years.

"When I first started, I was so green," White reflected. "You made me so comfortable and made me so confident, Pat. You made me who I am. You really did."

White continued by sharing how her relationship with Sajak goes far beyond their partnership on Wheel of Fortune.

"As the years have gone by, we've grown up on television, but we've also shared so much more behind the scenes. As much fun as we had on camera, those memories, milestones and life events we shared with our families, outside the studio, are my favorite. We've watched our children grow up together, we've traveled all over the world, we've eaten hundreds of meals together. We've laughed, we've cried, we've celebrated."

White concluded, "As this chapter of our lives is coming to an end, I know you'll still be close by. You're like a brother to me and I consider you a true lifelong friend who I will always adore," she said. "I love you, Pat."

Sajak's departure arrives just a year after he announced his 2024 retirement last June.

"Well, the time has come. I’ve decided that our 41st season, which begins in September, will be my last," he tweeted at the time. "It’s been a wonderful ride, and I’ll have more to say in the coming months. Many thanks to you all."

White hopped in the comments section to express her appreciation for their decades-long run together. "I couldn't be happier to have shared the stage with you for all these years with one more to come," she wrote at the time.