Vanna White, the beloved co-host of Wheel of Fortune, has officially tied the knot with her long-time boyfriend, John Donaldson, after a 14-year relationship. The joyful news was shared on Instagram, where White posted photos of the intimate ceremony, stating, “Surprise! We got married!”
In her heartfelt message, she expressed her excitement about this new chapter in their lives, noting, “John and I have been in love for more than a decade… we wanted to make it official in a private ceremony.” The post also featured nostalgic images from their years together, capturing the essence of their enduring relationship.
Friends and fans alike flooded the comments section with congratulations, including Maggie Sajak, the daughter of the show’s former host, Pat Sajak.
White and Donaldson’s romance began in 2012 when they met at a barbecue hosted by White. Reflecting on their first encounter, she recalled thinking, “He’s really cute,” and they ended up having a long conversation that evening. Over the years, the couple has maintained a relatively private life, despite public interest in their potential marriage.
In a recent interview, White explained their hesitance to marry sooner, saying they enjoyed being in what they referred to as the “honeymoon phase” without the pressure of tying the knot. She pondered, “When you’ve been with someone for so long, you kind of feel like you’re already married. You don’t have to have that piece of paper.”
Both White and Donaldson have previous marriages. White was previously married to restaurateur George Santo Pietro from 1990 to 2002, with whom she shares two children, Nicholas and Giovanna.
The announcement of White’s marriage comes at a significant time as she nears her 45th anniversary with Wheel of Fortune, while also preparing for upcoming changes, including the transition in hosts with Ryan Seacrest replacing Pat Sajak in 2024. Despite these changes, White reaffirmed her commitment to the show with a two-year extension in 2023, sharing her intent to take her career one year at a time.
This new turn in her personal life adds to the excitement surrounding her professional journey, underscoring the notion that love and career can thrive together, even amidst change.