Vanna White reveals why she 'wasn't ready to retire' from 'Wheel of Fortune' with Pat Sajak
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Vanna White extends 'Wheel of Fortune' legacy as she is not ready to bid farewell to the game show just yet.
The TV personality has committed to stay on board for at least two more years even after the anticipated retirement of longtime host Pat Sajak in 2024.
View this post on Instagram
Vanna White says she and Pat Sajak call themselves 'Ken and Barbie'
In an interview with 'Good Morning America' on Friday, November 17, White said of herself and Sajak, "We call ourselves Ken and Barbie."
"We're not quite that today, but Ken and Barbie go together and always have," she added.
View this post on Instagram
However, she expressed her reluctance to retire alongside him and White will be joining Ryan Seacrest when he takes over as the show's host.
"When Pat told me he was going to retire, it was like, 'Oh my gosh, I'm not sure that I'm ready to retire,'" the 66-year-old host recalled.
"I thought about it and thought about it, and I just wasn't ready to retire," she said.
Why did Pat Sajak retire from 'Wheel of Fortune'?
In June, Sajak announced his retirement from the iconic game show.
"Well, the time has come. I've decided that our 41st season, which begins in September, will be my last," he said at the time.
"It's been a wonderful ride, and I'll have more to say in the coming months. Many thanks to you all. (If nothing else, it'll keep the clickbait sites busy!)," he added.
View this post on Instagram
Amid the announcement of Sajak's retirement, it was reported in September that White extended her contract through the 2025-2026 seasons as she negotiated after reportedly not receiving a raise for 18 years while Sajak was earning significantly more.
Speaking about her decision to stay on the show, White told 'GMA' that, "Because I'm not that tired and I love what I do… I genuinely do care about our contestants, and my favorite show is when they all win something big."
View this post on Instagram
White has become a television icon following her 41-year tenure on the popular show in which she has worn nearly 8,000 gowns and her relationship with Sajak has evolved over the years.
"How do you describe being with someone for 41 years that you love and adore?" she said.
"I know everything about him, when he walks in, when he walks up the stairs, if he's in a good mood or a bad mood," she added.
Ryan Seacrest is 'excited' to host the show alongside Vanna White
In September, Seacrest expressed his excitement to work with White.
"I'm so excited! She's beloved by this nation, she is just such an important part of the show. She has been for so many years," Seacrest told ET Online.
View this post on Instagram
"I'm honored to be on stage with her soon," he added.
