Why Vanna White Hasn’t Wed Her Boyfriend of 12 Years John Donaldson: ‘I Feel Like We Are Married’ (Exclusive)
The ‘Wheel of Fortune’ co-host tells PEOPLE that Donaldson, whom she met in 2012, is “the male of version of me”
Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic
Ring or no ring, Vanna White is secure in her relationship with longtime boyfriend John Donaldson.
The Wheel of Fortune co-host, 66, tells PEOPLE in this week’s issue that the pair’s committment to each other isn’t in any doubt, even if they haven’t made it official.
“I mean, we’ve been together 12 years, and I feel like we are married,” she shares. “Do we have to get married? No, because we feel comfortable in our relationship. You know what I mean? I know that he’s the one. He knows I’m the one.”
Broadimage/Shutterstock
White and the JDC Construction + Development Group founder haven’t discussed the topic of marriage. “We don’t really talk about it, but you never know,” she says. “I mean, I guess we could, but in my eyes and his eyes, we are married.”
She also says the relationship has lasted more than a decade because Donaldson “is the male version of me. We really are very similar. We get along so well. He’s easy. He’s easy, and he lets me be me, and I let him be him.”
Amanda Edwards/WireImage
When asked what she thinks is the key to finding a successful relationship, White urges people to settle for nothing less than a partner who accepts — and appreciates — authenticity.
“Don’t be in a relationship because you’re lonely, because if you’re not happy, you’re still lonely,” she advises. “Just be who you are, and don’t let anybody change who you are. It’s nice when they make you feel good about yourself, or they love who you are as a person and don’t want to change you. It’s got to be easy.”
White and the real estate developer met in 2012 when a friend brought him to one of her barbecues a decade after her amicably split from Santo Pietro in 2002. She recalled to PEOPLE in 2019 that she was smitten from their first meeting.
“I remember looking at him and thinking, ‘He’s really cute,'” she said with a laugh. “We ended up talking for a long time that night.”
“It just works,” she added. “He lets me be me, I let him be him. There is no drama.”
Wheel of Fortune airs weekdays at 7 p.m. ET on ABC.
News
$H0CKING: ‘Wheel Of Fortune’ fans upset as producers didn’t ask Vanna White to host the show after Pat Sajak’s retirement
Vanna White Upset ‘Wheel Of Fortune’ Producers Didn’t Ask Her To Host The Show After Pat Sajak’s Surprise Retirement: “Lack Of Respect” While Wheel of Fortune prides itself on its years of fun and friendly competition, Vanna White certainly does…
BREAKING NEWS: Whoopi Goldberg Wants to Replace Pat Sajak on ‘Wheel of Fortune’
Whoopi Goldberg Tells ‘The View’ That She Wants to Replace Pat Sajak on ‘Wheel of Fortune’: “I Want That Job” Whoopi Goldberg is looking to get back to her game show days! After news that beloved host Pat Sajak would…
$h0cking: Kelly Ripa leaves Wheel Of Fortune fans puzzled when she reveals that Pat Sajak is her husband
Kelly Ripa Admits To Vanna White That She Thought ‘Wheel Of Fortune’s Pat Sajak Was Her Husband: “I Think I Speak For A Lot Of People” Vanna White and Pat Sajak‘s chemistry on Wheel of Fortune may be a result…
Wheel of Fortune fans in $h0ck after spotting a very rare ‘kind’ gesture from host Pat Sajak during show
Wheel of Fortune fans in shock after spotting a very rare ‘kind’ gesture from host Pat Sajak during show WHEEL of Fortune fans are in shock after host Pat Sajak made a rare chivalrous gesture to a nervous contest. The…
$H0CKING: Wheel of Fortune fans slam Pat Sajak as ‘arrogant & mean-spirited’
Wheel of Fortune fans slam Pat Sajak as ‘arrogant & mean-spirited’ as he ‘shades’ player during important game moment WHEEL of Fortune’s Pat Sajak has picked on a contestant to a “mean-spirited” degree on Thursday, according to viewers. As Nick played…
$H0CKING: Fans ‘Cannot Breathe’ as Reba McEntire Bold Suit at the 2024 Emmy Awards
Fans ‘Cannot Breathe’ as Reba McEntire Exudes Boss Babe Vibes in Bold Suit at the 2024 Emmy Awards Reba McEntire has arrived at the 2024 Primetime Emmy Awards, and unsurprisingly, she looks stylishly stunning! The TV star and country music legend showed up to…
End of content
No more pages to load