Wheel of Fortune host Vanna White looks extremely stunning in first photo of Pat Sajak’s last season

VANNA White has spun into a gorgeous look for the first official photo of Wheel of Fortune’s historic upcoming season.

Season 41 premieres September 11 and marks Pat Sajak’s last before he retires and Ryan Seacrest takes over as host.

Vanna White went all-out in the first photo of her last season with Pat Sajak
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Vanna White went all-out in the first photo of her last season with Pat SajakCredit: Instagram/wheeloffortune

She looked as gorgeous as ever in the face of her contract once Pat retires in June 2024 still being unresolved
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She looked as gorgeous as ever in the face of her contract once Pat retires in June 2024 still being unresolvedCredit: Getty
Vanna, 66, and Pat, 76, teamed up for the first photo of their last season together on Tuesday.

The beloved letter-turner since 1981 donned a sparkling silver gown with a low-cut neckline and cinched waist- making for a winning silhouette.

She wore her blonde tresses in curls and put a hand on a hip, looking ageless.

Vanna accessorized with white nails and a haute red lip.

Meanwhile, Pat looked dressed for success in a signature suit.

The Instagram post was in the style of a quick clip where confetti burst, and text appeared that read: “Season 41 premieres September 11!”

‘THANK YOU PAT!’

Wheel of Fortune fans were sentimental in the comments section and had mixed feelings since it’s the end of an era.

One person wrote: “I’m looking forward in one way and dreading it in another!”

“Mr. Pat Sajak I hope you have a wonderful retirement and thank you for the laughs…” wrote another.

“Happy anniversary, let’s make this season a good one since it’s Pat’s last season,” wrote a third.

“WOW WOW WOW,” Jeopardy! buzzed in and wrote.

“Yes more Wheel of Fortune but sadly Pat Sajak’s last season to host,” wrote a fifth.

“Love these two,” wrote a sixth.

VANNA’S ‘LAST CONTRACT’

Vanna’s glowing new look shows she’s game to keep turning looks despite her ongoing turmoil.

Season 41 marks her last season under her current contract, which runs until 2024, when Pat retires, according to Deadline.

Vanna is still in a salary war, demanding a well-earned pay raise once Ryan steps in, and her future post-Pat is unknown.

A source close to the show claimed to the Daily Mail that execs want “her next contract to be her last contract.”

“So there is a little more maneuverability to change things up in a few years when they look for her replacement.”

According to the source, Vanna is still looking for a raise – and a “tremendous” one at that.

“It is a matter of who is going to budge first, but they both aren’t blinking yet.

“Vanna wants to go out on her terms and retire when she is ready with a nice paycheck to end it all.”

“Wheel wants to make the transition between Pat [Sajak] and Ryan [Seacrest] seamless, and having Vanna there would be wonderful to make that all happen.

“Everyone is in a wait-and-see mode, but to Vanna’s favor, at least she is talking with producers, and there is some progress with it all.”

VANNA TO MISS A WEEK OF EPISODES

Vanna has been Pat’s counterpart at the puzzle board since 1982, he began hosting in 1981- and the new season began filming this summer.

However, Vanna will miss a few episodes of Wheel of Fortune this fall, it was revealed earlier this month.

Vanna contracted Covid-19 in late July while Wheel was filming its annual Teachers Week, which is scheduled to air in October.

Instead of halting production, producers decided to bring in a sub, according to Puck News.

They contacted Teacher of the Year recipient Bridgette Donald-Blue, to replace Vanna on the letter board for the week of episodes.

Vanna’s absence from the show will be her first in nearly 30 years- and third time since she began.

But a source told TV Line the Wheel had no choice in not waiting for Vanna to recuperate.

The insider explained that production on Teachers Week was forced to continue without Vanna because of the set-in-stone schedule.

They shared: “Teachers had already arrived in L.A. to tape the episodes and, with the academic school year starting, it was not feasible to reschedule that day.”

The source continued: “In keeping with the Teachers Week theme, Bridgette Donald-Blue graciously agreed fill in for Vanna for those five episodes.”

Wheel kept Vanna on the board for the second tape day of the special to accommodate Vanna’s absence- so Vanna will be out for one week but not the entire two-week stretch.

VANNA LAWYERS UP ‘FOR ALL WOMEN’

Vanna reportedly makes half of what Pat makes now and hasn’t gotten a raise in 18 years.

TMZ previously confirmed that Vanna makes about $3 million annually.

According to the outlet, Pat makes about $15 million annually.

Sources told People: “50 percent of Pat’s salary is so outrageous that no one in their right mind could say that it’s fair.

The negotiation is asking for much more than 50 percent of his salary. It’s asking for the same pay – if not more.”

“Vanna was told, ‘If you fight this, you will lose your job. You’re lucky to have the job.’ And when people tell you that for so long, you believe it,’” before adding that White is now ready to fight for her future.

“She’s a really, really sweet person. She deserves so much more.”

Negotiations between Vanna and Sony have become “very difficult,” an insider close to the situation also told TMZ.

Another source claimed the hostess “feels like it’s a statement for all women” and is reportedly negotiating for “a minimum of what is fair.”

It’s been reported by TMZ that Vanna settled for Celebrity Wheel of Fortune; she’ll make $100,000 per episode while Pat makes $400,000.

PAT’S A WRAP!

On June 12, 2023, Pat told fans in a personal note on Twitter: “Well, the time has come. I’ve decided that our 41st season, which begins in September, will be my last.

“It’s been a wonderful ride, and I’ll have more to say in the coming months.”

Pat will host until June 2024, when he will step down in place of Seacrest.

Ryan, 42, shared in a statement reveling in the news: “I can’t wait to continue the tradition of spinning the wheel and working alongside the great Vanna White.”

Meanwhile, many fans have grown fond of Pat’s daughter Maggie – the show’s social media correspondent- and think she may someday replace Vanna.

She has previously stepped in for Vanna twice to turn letters; once when Vanna hosted and again when she was a Celebrity contestant.

But many fans want that potential handover to happen on Vanna’s watch on no one elses.

One fan commented: 'I’m looking forward in one way and dreading it in another!' and another: 'Thank you for the laughs, Pat!'
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One fan commented: ‘I’m looking forward in one way and dreading it in another!’ and another: ‘Thank you for the laughs, Pat!’Credit: Getty

Vanna has expressed no interest in retiring, but execs reportedly want her still-unsettled contract to be 'her last,' and they're eying 'replacements'
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Vanna has expressed no interest in retiring, but execs reportedly want her still-unsettled contract to be ‘her last,’ and they’re eying ‘replacements’Credit: Getty

Vanna is demanding a pay raise for when Ryan Seacrest replaces Pat as her pay reportedly hasn't changed in 18 years
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Vanna is demanding a pay raise for when Ryan Seacrest replaces Pat as her pay reportedly hasn’t changed in 18 yearsCredit: Getty