Pat Sajak and Vanna White May Be Retiring Soon—Here’s What We Know

After more than four decades, the end may be near for the beloved game show Wheel of Fortune, or at the very least, the show as we know it. As hosts Pat Sajak and Vanna White set their sights on retirement, audiences are left to wonder what will become of Wheel of Fortune and how much longer they can continue to tune in to solve puzzles and watch the dynamic duo.

Will Pat Sajak and Vanna White retire?

As the show continues airing Season 40, Wheel of Fortune host Pat Sajak has started to allude to his pending retirement. In an interview with Entertainment Tonight in September 2022, Sajak acknowledged that “the end is near” about his time with the show. “Years go by fast. We’re getting near the end. It’s been a long [time]. We’re not gonna do this for another 40 years,” he said.

While Sajak expressed his belief that the end of the Sajak/White era of Wheel of Fortune was near, he also articulated the pair’s pride in having sustained such a long-running series and their gratitude for the show’s fans. White recently celebrated her 40th anniversary on Wheel of Fortune, prompting fans to speculate about the show’s future.

While Sajak’s departure from the show has long been an inevitability, it comes as no less of a shock for fans, who’ve viewed Sajak and co-host Vanna White as synonymous with Wheel of Fortune for nearly half a century.

Though Sajak and White have yet to announce any solidified plans for retirement, the duo remains certain that the show will go on without them for many years to come. With their eventual departure comes the promise of a whole new generation of Wheel of Fortune.

How long has Wheel of Fortune been on?

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Created by the legendary Merv Griffin, the original Wheel of Fortune premiered on NBC in 1975—however, the nightly version of the show that we’ve all come to know and love premiered in September 1983. Pat Sajak and Vanna White have starred as the show’s hosts since day one, and it wasn’t long until the pair became household names. September 2022 marked the beginning of its 40th season.

While much has changed since 1983, fans have always been able to count on seeing Sajak and White at the helm of Wheel of Fortune each weeknight. The landmark gameshow even earned a celebrity-infused spin-off called Celebrity Wheel of Fortune, which premiered in 2021. The offshoot of the classic gameshow is currently in its third season.

Has Wheel of Fortune been renewed for more seasons?

Recently, news broke that Wheel of Fortune was renewed for another five years, which means fans can count on enjoying nightly installments of the gameshow through the 2027-2028 season. Perhaps most excitingly, this news means that Wheel of Fortune will have the chance to celebrate an unprecedented 45 seasons on the air. Whether Sajak and White will remain on board for the next five years remains to be seen; however, fans of the show can take comfort in knowing that Wheel of Fortune isn’t going anywhere for the foreseeable future. For now, Pat Sajak, Vanna White and her arsenal of stunning dresses will continue making nightly appearances in living rooms everywhere.

Sources:

Entertainment Tonight: “Pat Sajak Says ‘End Is Near’ on Him Hosting ‘Wheel of Fortune’ After 40 Years (Exclusive)”

Deadline: “‘Wheel Of Fortune’ & ‘Jeopardy!’ Renewed For 5 Years With Big Increase At ABC Stations”