Who is Vanna White?
Vanna White is a famous television personality who hosts the popular game show Wheel of Fortune. She has been in this role for more than three decades. In fact, she has been on the show longer than Pat Sajak. But before she joined the show, she was a struggling actress. Her goal was to become a model. She also participated in the Miss Georgia USA pageant, which led to a career in modeling.
When she was a young girl, Vanna White was raised in a small town in South Carolina. Her parents divorced when she was an infant. She was raised by her mother Joan and stepfather Herbert White Jr. Eventually, Vanna White moved to Atlanta, Georgia, where she studied fashion merchandising. Afterward, she pursued an acting career. One of her first bit roles was in the film Gypsy Angel. However, she found her biggest success in television.
During her career, she has filmed a lot of shows and clapped a lot. In fact, she holds the Guinness Book of World Records for clapping the most times in one episode. And she isn’t the only one who can claim that honor. Betty White has also set the record.
But, in spite of all the accolades, it’s not all good news for Vanna White. The actress suffered a tragic loss early in her career. First, she lost her fiance in a plane crash. Later, her mother succumbed to cancer.
Despite all this, she’s survived, and is in good health. She’s even written a book about her experiences. It’s called Vanna Speaks. While it may be overshadowed by larger news, it’s a fun read that sheds light on the life of a woman who made a splash in the game show world.
Other notable events in her career include her divorce and a miscarriage. Although she hasn’t been remarried, she has been blessed with two children. After she married George Santo Pietro in 1990, they had a daughter and a son. Sadly, the couple ended their marriage a year later, but they remained friends.
Another important event in her life was the release of her book. The book, titled Vanna Speaks: The Autobiography of a Woman Who Can’t Stop Clapping, is a hefty tome that will take you on a journey through her life. Not only does it offer fascinating insight into the life of a famous star, it also serves as an entertainment primer for anyone looking to break into the business.
On April 20, 2006, Vanna White received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The award was a tribute to her work on “Wheel of Fortune,” as well as her contributions to the charitable community. That same year, she donated $1.8 million to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
She’s not the only celebrity to receive the Hollywood Walk of Fame honor. In 2006, Betty White was also honored for her accomplishments. Her show was recognized for the number of times it has been broadcast and for its use of the clap-a-ma-jig.