Even after three decades, Wheel of Fortune’s Vanna White still finds joy in her job.
Vanna White pinches herself every day as the famous letter turner on the iconic TV game show Wheel of Fortune. “When I come to work, it’s a happy place. You turn your TV on and there is all this negative stuff going on, but you put our show on and it’s fun and uplifting,” she says, noting that she and host Pat Sajak have an absolute blast on set. “When you wake up in the morning excited about going to work, it feels great,” adds the star, who encourages everyone to find jobs they love.
How do you make others happy?
I try to do some act of kindness every day. It might be as simple as when you are in the grocery line and somebody has three things, and you say, “Please go in front of me.” Or when I’m driving, especially in Los Angeles, which is known for its rude drivers, I will stop to let someone pull in front of me. I try to do things for other people that I would love to have done for me.
What is the kindest act that someone has done for you?
People are just so nice when they come up for an autograph or to say hello. We have the Make-A-Wish Foundation folks come to our show to fulfill their dreams of standing by the puzzle board and taking a picture with their names on it. There was one little girl who gave me a picture of herself sitting in a wheelchair on set. She was so thrilled to be there. It gave me such joy to give her joy. That’s why I do what I do.
What moments on the show make you happy?
A gentleman won a brand-new car on the show, and he turned to Pat and said, “I don’t have to take the bus anymore.” That was really touching.
Aside from Wheel of Fortune, what do you watch to lift your mood?
I’m a huge fan of Fixer Upper. I put that show on all the time. It’s a nice escape where I don’t have to think about anything. I like the potential they see when they walk into an old house and then renovate the whole thing, and it’s absolutely beautiful.
What are you most passionate about?
I’ve crocheted since I was 5 years old. My grandmother taught me. I even have my own line of yarn and donate half of my proceeds to St. Jude. I like to crochet baby blankets for gifts, and I constantly have a project going. I have one at work, in my car and by my bed.
When is the last time you laughed out loud?
Yesterday, because Pat is so funny. He’s always making little comments and makes me laugh every single day I’m with him! That’s a good relationship. We have been together 35 years on camera and have never had one argument.
Where is your happy place?
Being in nature or under an umbrella by the ocean. I have a balcony off my bedroom and I live in the hills, so I sit outside in the mornings and have my coffee and listen to the birds sing. I just love being Zen because life is so busy.
