Life hasn’t always been a bed of roses for Vanna White. Back in 1980, when Vanna left her hometown of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, chasing her dreams of stardom in Hollywood, tragedy struck early. Her beloved mother, Joan Rosich, succumbed to cancer. "That was absolutely devastating to me," Vanna shared exclusively with Closer Weekly, in the magazine’s latest issue, now available on newsstands. "But her passing gave me the strength to prove that her unwavering support would always guide me toward achieving my dreams."
From Heartbreak to Stardom
Not long after her mother’s passing, Vanna landed her iconic role as the letter-turner on Wheel of Fortune. More than three decades later, she continues to shine in that role, becoming a beloved pop culture icon. "You turn on the TV today, and all you see is negativity," Vanna reflected. "It’s refreshing to have 30 minutes of pure fun with Wheel of Fortune. It’s like a little escape from the chaos of the world."
A Life Marked by Loss
At just 61 years old, Vanna has faced more than her fair share of heartbreak. In 1986, her fiancé, soap opera actor John Gibson, tragically died in a plane crash. "I was at the height of what you might call Vanna-mania when this happened," she recalled. "But the overwhelming support from my fans was a lifeline. It made me feel like I wasn’t alone, that I had a community cheering me on."
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View this post on Instagram35 years of friendship and they're still going strong! #NationalBestFriendDay #WheelOfFortune
Finding Strength in Adversity
Another pivotal moment came in 1992 when Vanna, then married to George Santo Pietro, suffered a miscarriage shortly after announcing her pregnancy on an episode of Wheel of Fortune. "I was so ready to become a mother," she admitted. "There’s no way to truly describe the depth of that loss. It was a moment that tested my strength and resolve."
In times of despair, Vanna leans on the wisdom her mother imparted. "Never give up, no matter what," she advised. "Follow your heart and chase your dreams. That’s exactly what I’ve done." Vanna eventually went on to have two beautiful children—son Niko in 1994 and daughter Gigi three years later. "When they were younger, they often joined me on set or traveled with me," she reminisced. "I’m incredibly grateful for everything I’ve been given."
Giving Back to the Community
Vanna has always been passionate about giving back to those in need. Recently, she donated an impressive $2 million from the sales of her Lion Brand Yarn line to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. "When I first started this project ten years ago, I thought, 'Wouldn’t it be amazing if we reached a million dollars?'" she said with a smile. "And look at us now—we’ve doubled that!"
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A lifelong knitter and crocheter, Vanna often creates blankets for the babies of Wheel of Fortune crew members. "It’s a hobby that I absolutely adore," she explained. "It’s not just a pastime; it’s therapeutic. I’m always working on a new project—it keeps me grounded."
View this post on InstagramVanna and the team from Lion Brand visited #StJude in Memphis to present them with a check for two million dollars in total donations raised through sales of Vanna’s Choice Yarn.
A New Chapter in Life
With her children grown and her nest now empty, Vanna finds herself with more time to focus on her own passions and relationships. She’s been in a loving relationship with John Donaldson since 2013. "Will we get married? Honestly, I don’t know," she confessed. "At this point, I feel like I am married. Everything is perfect, and there’s no need to change a thing." This sentiment extends to her career as well. "I absolutely love my job, and I can’t imagine doing anything else," she said. (Fun fact: Vanna and Pat Sajak recently renewed their contracts through 2022).
Lessons Learned: Finding Strength and Happiness
Through all the ups and downs of life, Vanna has discovered the key to staying strong and finding true happiness. "Life throws us both positives and negatives, and we must learn to accept them and do everything in our power to navigate through," she explained. "It’s like breaking an arm—it takes time, but eventually, it heals." Ultimately, she encourages everyone to embrace life’s imperfections. "Life isn’t perfect, but we can make the most of it," she said. "Be resilient, be kind to others, and most importantly, be happy."
To learn more about Vanna White’s incredible journey, grab the latest issue of Closer Weekly, available now on newsstands—and don’t forget to sign up for our newsletter!
