Wheel of Fortune’s Pat Sajak once made co-host cry – inside their complicated friendship

Wheel of Fortune’s Pat Sajak’s once made co-host Vanna White cry, here’s a look at their complex friendship over the years.

Wheel of Fortune’s long-time host Pat Sajak, 77, is soon to be retired and replaced with Ryan Seacrest, leaving his co-host of 40 years, Vanna White, behind.

The pair have been hosting the hit ABC game show since the 1980s and no one is sadder to see Sajak go than White, she even considered leaving Wheel of Fortune with him.

It’ll be a big adjustment for White to continue to flip those letters on the letter board without Sajak running the show with his interesting sense of humor and glowing charisma.

So far, she and Seacrest have only filmed promos for the upcoming episodes in which the former American Idol host will preside over starting in September.

However sad White is to see Sajak go, she can’t deny that they’ve had a complicated relationship over the years.

Over the last 40 years, White and Sajak have had their ups and downs.

In episodes throughout the last couple of years alone, the host has walked off stage because of things White has said.

He’s also asked her somewhat inappropriate questions, uttered seemingly offensive comments to her, and caused some awkward moments.

Despite all of that, they still love each other like family, with White even calling Sajak her “work husband.”

In fact, according to White, the pair have only had a fight once in all those decades.

White told Drew Barrymore: “We’ve never had one argument — OK, we had one. It was over putting ketchup on a hot dog. Do you put ketchup on your hot dog?”

The 50 First Dates star said she prefers mustard.

“OK, all right,” White replied. “Well, anyway, that’s what he said. ‘You do not put ketchup on your hot dog!’”

Sajak and White have stuck by each other since the show’s beginning.

In late 2019, when a Wheel of Fortune taping was canceled because Sajak had to undergo emergency surgery, White stepped up to help out her co-host and hosted a few episodes solo for the first time.

In 2022, Sajak ran off stage to get White a bouquet of flowers.

“You know, all these years, I’ve never brought you a lovely bouquet,” Sajak said (per Good Housekeeping). “No, you haven’t,” Vanna confirmed. Sajak then left her side in a hurry and ran off stage.

“There you go. Enjoy,” he said, giving her some flowers.

In December of that year, Sajak spoke about White’s milestone 40th anniversary with the show, and she couldn’t help but cry.

Footage of White’s 40th anniversary celebration was shared on the game show’s Instagram and the caption read: “Only the best for our favorite fashion icon, letter-turner, and person with a soul as beautiful as she is.”

In the clip, a large cake is wheeled out for White , who is surrounded by the show’s staff, and the puzzle board behind them showed “Happy 40th Anniversary!”

Sajak then said: “Folks, it was 40 years ago on this very date that this young lady walked into the studio, trembling and did her first Wheel of Fortune. And here she is. Happy 40th my dear.”