VANNA White has shared a tear-jerking goodbye to her longtime Wheel of Fortune counterpart Pat Sajak upon his retirement.
Vanna, 66, and Pat, 77, are parting ways after 41 years together, with his final episode as host airing this Friday, June 7.
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Vanna White shared an emotional tribute to Pat Sajak who is retiring on FridayCredit: Getty
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She wrote, ‘Flooded with memories as the sun sets on this chapter for Pat, Wheel of Fortune, and me’Credit: Instagram/officialvannawhite
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Vanna and Pat have co-hosted Wheel of Fortune together for 41 yearsCredit: Getty
Vanna took to Instagram on Tuesday to commemorate Pat’s last week ever as Wheel of Fortune host.
His final episode ever airs this Friday, June 7.
She shared a jaw-dropping wide-shot photo of the pair filming a segment off-set on a hill over the backdrop of a sunset.
Vanna emotionally noted that the sunset was fitting, as the sun is setting on Pat’s time on the game show.
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“I’m flooded with memories as the sun sets on this chapter for Pat, Wheel of Fortune, and me,” she captioned the post, promising more to come.
“I’ll share some of my favorites over the coming days. Stay tuned.”
‘WON’T BE THE SAME’
Fans flooded the comments section in their feelings about the dynamic duo breaking up.
“Wheel of Fortune won’t be the same without him. It was an absolute honor to be on the show for Pat’s final day of taping,” one fan wrote.
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“You don’t know what an impact this show has left on my life!! He’s going to be so so missed,” wrote another.
“Noooo it won’t be the same, you two are the dynamic duo,” wrote a third.
“This makes me sad. I truly believe it will be a different show. Glad you will still be there for a bit,” wrote one more.
Vanna’s message comes as she rarely posts on Instagram, so fans are especially moved.
Maggie Sajak, Pat’s daughter, chimed in to comment with three heart emojis.
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‘SURPRISINGLY OKAY’
Pat is now in his last week as host with just four episodes left before he steps down.
On Monday, Pat opened up about why he chose to exit the show on Good Morning America.
During the nearly four-minute segment, Maggie Sajak, 29 – Wheel of Fortune’s social media correspondent – interviewed her father about his retirement.
“It’s surprisingly OK,” Pat said about his time on the show ending so soon.
“This was announced a long time ago, almost a year ago,” he noted.
“So I’ve had time to sort of get used to it. And it’s been a little bit wistful and all that, but I’m enjoying it and taking it all in and reflecting on the great run.”
Pat, who started hosting Wheel of Fortune in 1981, acknowledged that the show is more than just any other TV program.
“We became part of the popular culture. And more importantly, we became part of people’s lives,” he said. “And that’s been awfully gratifying.”
Ryan Seacrest, 49, was selected as Pat’s replacement last year shortly after Pat announced he’d be leaving, and Pat stood by the decision.
“I’ve always said to you, you’ve heard me say this dozens of times, ‘I’d rather leave a couple years too early than a couple of years too late.’
“Could I still do it? Yeah, I think I could for a while,” Pat told Maggie, 29.
“[But] There’s also other things in life, we’d like to do,” Pat continued.
“I’m enjoying this last year. It’s been a great 40 years. I’m looking forward to whatever is ahead,” he closed.
Pat also shared that he would be happy living out his retirement, doing “crossword puzzles and playing with his grandchildren.”
“Hint. Hint. Hint. No pressure,” he joked to Maggie.
In addition to Maggie, Pat shares his son, Patrick, with his wife, Lesly Brown.
Like his sister, Patrick does not have any children – but Maggie recently struck up a romance with actor Ross McCall, so who knows?
Pat embraced his daughter as she wiped away her tears.
Pat will retire with the longest career as host for the same show in history, surpassing previous record holder Bob Barker and Alex Trebek.
PAT’S ALL FOLKS
Pat’s last episode will air on June 7 and is fittingly titled “Thanks For The Memories.”
Pat’s farewell will likely not be an all-out tribute with memories from over the years but simply business as usual with a goodbye at the end.
The episode will be a TV milestone as the host has been spinning out puzzles and prizes alongside Vanna since 1981 and 1982, respectively.
Vanna, Pat’s longtime Wheel of Fortune partner, will stay with the show for two years after his departure.
Vanna signed a contract extension to stay on the program through the 2025-2026 season.
When asked by TVInsider how long she thinks she’ll remain with the game show, Vanna replied, “I don’t know.
“When I heard that Pat was retiring, I thought maybe I should retire too, but I’m not ready!’
“We’ll see toward the end of those two years how I feel.
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“I thank God after all these years that I still love my job.”
The show airs weekdays at 7:30 pm ET on ABC, so fans can catch Pat’s sendoff episode on June 7 at that time.
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Pat told his daughter Maggie on Monday, ‘I’m surprisingly okay. I’d rather leave a couple years too early than a couple of years too late’Credit: ABC
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Pat’s last episode is this Friday, June 7, and Ryan Seacrest will begin hosting this fallCredit: ABC
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Vanna will remain at the puzzle board for two more years, and fans think Maggie may replace her after that
