Vanna White has made it clear that she’s not ready to step away from “Wheel of Fortune” just yet, despite the 2024 retirement of her longtime co-host Pat Sajak. In an interview with E! News published on Wednesday, Dec. 10, the 68-year-old television icon opened up about her future plans and what lies ahead for her career on the beloved game show.
“At this point, it’s one year at a time,” White explained when asked about her future on the show. She emphasized that she’s currently happy with her job and plans to continue on “Wheel of Fortune,” approaching her career decisions on an annual basis. The letter-turner is approaching her 45th anniversary as co-host of the program, having joined in 1982.
White’s decision to remain with the show comes after careful consideration. She signed a two-year contract extension following Sajak’s retirement announcement in June 2023, keeping her with the program through the 2025-2026 season. The 79-year-old Sajak exited the show in 2024, leaving many to wonder whether White would follow suit. She acknowledged that she considered leaving when her longtime partner departed but wasn’t ready to retire at that time.
While White remains committed to “Wheel of Fortune” for now, she’s keeping her options open for the future. She told the outlet that unexpected opportunities could always arise. “You never know what’s around the corner. You just don’t. Something might come to me that I want to be involved in,” she said, adding that she takes things one day at a time. However, when it comes to television work specifically, she doesn’t see herself pursuing other projects. White revealed that when she does eventually retire, she doesn’t think there’s anything else on TV she would rather do after being on “Wheel” for so long, stating that she honestly just wants to play golf.
The transition to working with new host Ryan Seacrest has been smoother than White initially anticipated. The 50-year-old Seacrest took over hosting duties starting with Season 42 in September 2024, and White has praised her new co-host. She’s known Seacrest for over 20 years. White said she was very scared at first, having been used to one person for so long, but noted that Seacrest has great energy and wants to do a great job.
White particularly appreciated Seacrest’s approach to taking on the hosting role. She shared that when he first started, he told her he could never replace Pat Sajak and was just going to go in and do the best job he could. That attitude resonated with White, who confirmed that the two get along great and “just gel” together. This is now their second year working together, and White said it feels like it’s been forever.
Despite the changes at “Wheel of Fortune,” White maintains a strong connection with Sajak. The two remain friends and sometimes have dinner together. White has described the show as her home away from home, emphasizing the family atmosphere on set.
The show itself has been experiencing notable success under its new host. In September 2025, “Wheel of Fortune” saw its first million-dollar winner under Seacrest’s tenure when contestant Christina Derevjanik won a grand total of $1,035,155 on Sept. 30. This marked the largest amount in the show’s 42-year history, representing a significant milestone for the program’s new era.
White’s work schedule on the show remains remarkably light, with filming taking place just 34 days per year. However, those days are intensive, with six shows filmed per day. This condensed schedule has allowed White to maintain her role while preserving time for personal pursuits and flexibility in her life.
As White continues to evaluate her future one year at a time, she’s keeping the door open to new possibilities while remaining committed to the show that has defined her career. Her measured approach reflects both her dedication to “Wheel of Fortune” and her awareness that life can bring unexpected opportunities. For now, fans can rest assured that White will continue turning letters alongside Seacrest through at least the 2025-2026 season, with decisions about what comes next to be made when the time is right.
