Pat Sajak said goodbye to his “professional other half.”
The famed “Wheel of Fortune” host, 77, paid tribute to his longtime co-host Vanna White as he said his final goodbye to the series on Friday.
After expressing gratitude to the show’s loyal viewers as well as his cast, crew and family members, Sajak, who announced his retirement in June 2023 after a 40 year tenure, spoke directly to White.
“Finally, to my professional other half, dear Vanna. Like me, she takes the show very seriously but not herself. I shudder to think what these 40 years might have been like had they brought someone in all full of themselves, playing the prima donna role.”
“I wanna thank her for her lovely goodbye on yesterday’s show,” he continued, referencing White’s sweet tribute from earlier this week.
“While I’ll very much miss working with her, I take solace in the fact that we live about five miles apart so we’ll see plenty of each other. But I will miss our nightly closes and her laughter and her good nature.”
“She’s a very special woman and I know you’re all pleased to know she’ll be back next season,” he said.
During yesterday’s episode, White delivered an emotional goodbye message to Sajak, who began hosting “Wheel Of Fortune” in 1981, calling him a “brother” and “lifelong friend” whom she’ll “always adore.”
“I don’t know how to put into words what these past 41 years have meant to me, but I’m gonna try,” she said, explaining that “8,000 episodes went by [snaps fingers] like that.”
“And as much fun as we had on camera, those memories, milestones and life events we shared with our families outside the studio are my favorite,” White gushed.
Toward the end of her message, White became emotional as she looked back on the “incredible and unforgettable journey” they’ve had in their 40 years together on the show.
“As this chapter of our lives is coming to an end, I know you’ll still be close by,” she closed.
Ryan Seacrest was previously announced as Sajak’s replacement.
