Additional Coverage:
- ‘Price is Right’ model says Vanna White deserves more money on ‘Wheel of Fortune’: “If I were her…” (marketrealist.com)
Vanna White’s Salary Saga: A Wheel of Fortune Worth Fighting For
Longtime “Wheel of Fortune” co-host Vanna White’s recent salary negotiations have made headlines, sparking discussions about fair pay and gender equality in television. After co-hosting the iconic game show alongside Pat Sajak for 43 years, White reportedly earned $3 million annually for 18 years without a significant raise. Following Sajak’s retirement announcement, White sought a 50% pay increase, a move applauded by “The Price is Right” model Gwendolyn Osborne.
Osborne praised White’s courage, stating that the move sets a precedent for women in the industry. She emphasized White’s global recognition and the influence she holds. While Osborne admitted she might accept a $4.5 million offer considering White’s age and career length, she believes the negotiation has opened an important dialogue.
Reports suggest that Sony Pictures Television, the studio behind “Wheel of Fortune,” initially resisted White’s demands. Her lawyer, Bryan Freedman, subsequently secured a deal for White to host “Celebrity Wheel of Fortune” and requested a third-party evaluation of White and Sajak’s roles to determine a fair salary. Sony reportedly declined this suggestion.
Sources claim White actually sought equal, if not higher, pay than Sajak, with some alleging she was previously warned against negotiating for higher pay for fear of losing her job. It’s worth noting that White works only 34 days a year to film the entire season of “Wheel of Fortune.”
Despite previous reports suggesting a $10 million annual salary, White has stated that the figures circulating in the media are exaggerated. Beyond her television career, White is also a successful entrepreneur, engaging in real estate ventures during her time off.