Inside Vanna White’s Love Life: Husbands, Boyfriends & Relationships
Her journey through love and loss reveals remarkable resilience and family devotion.
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Vanna White has become a household name and TV icon after more than 40 years on Wheel of Fortune. While audiences continue to admire her sparkling style and sunny personality, Vanna’s personal life—particularly her romantic relationships—has sometimes been as much in the spotlight as the famous letter board she turns each night. This in-depth look at her love life reveals a story of resilience, family, tragedy, and lasting love.
Who Was Vanna White’s Ex-Husband?
Vanna White’s only marriage was to George Santo Pietro, a successful restaurateur and entrepreneur. They met through mutual friends and quickly kindled a romance, marrying in December 1990. During their 12-year marriage, they welcomed two children: son Nicholas (Nikko) in 1994, and daughter Giovanna (Gigi) in 1997.
Though their marriage ended in divorce in November 2002, Vanna and George have reportedly remained cordial, focusing on amicably co-parenting their children into adulthood.
- Name: George Santo Pietro
- Profession: Restaurateur, businessman
- Marriage duration: 1990–2002
- Children: Nikko (born 1994), Gigi (born 1997)
The Heartbreak of Public Loss and Motherhood
Vanna’s journey to motherhood was very public due to her celebrity status on Wheel of Fortune. The show once even featured “Vanna’s pregnant” as a puzzle answer, a joyful moment that made headlines. However, after that episode taped, Vanna suffered a devastating miscarriage—an event she later described as one of the toughest moments of her life.
“Obviously I lost the baby, which was devastating after announcing it. The good news is I was able to get pregnant again and had two beautiful, healthy children,” she told People in a candid interview. “But losing a child—there’s nothing good about that.”
Vanna White’s Relationship History: From Early Love to New Beginnings
John Gibson: Her Tragic First Engagement
Before becoming a nationally recognized TV star, Vanna experienced both the highs of love and the depths of tragedy. In the 1980s, she dated and eventually became engaged to John Gibson, a soap opera actor known for his role in Days of Our Lives and a Playgirl magazine centerfold. Gibson, who also worked as a Chippendales dancer, was Vanna’s first great love.
Tragedy struck in May 1986, when John Gibson tragically died in a small plane crash. Vanna later recalled the moment with heartbreak: “I heard from so many people who had shared the same experience of losing someone instantly in an accident, and that really helped me. I didn’t feel like I was alone. Because when something like that happens, you immediately think you’re the only one.”
That loss left an indelible mark on Vanna, teaching her both the fragility of life and the importance of love and support.
Engagement to Michael Kaye
After her divorce from George Santo Pietro, Vanna fell in love with Michael Kaye, a prominent Southern California businessman and senior partner at a large buyout fund. The two were engaged from 2004 to 2006 but ultimately decided not to marry.
- Fiancé: Michael Kaye
- Engagement: 2004–2006
- Status: Did not marry
Other Relationships
Vanna White has lived her life mostly in the public eye, leading to some tabloid speculation over her dating life, but she has always kept her relationships relatively private. There have been rumored connections to a few celebrities, including a light-hearted, unconfirmed tabloid story involving Colby Donaldson from Survivor 2. However, only a few relationships have been confirmed by Vanna herself or credible sources.
Vanna Finds Lasting Love: Her Relationship With John Donaldson
Since 2012, Vanna White has found quiet happiness with John Donaldson, a California-based contractor. Unlike some of her past relationships, Vanna met John in a much more relaxed, organic environment: at a barbecue hosted at her home.
Recalling their first meeting, Vanna told People: “I remember looking at him and thinking, ‘He’s really cute.’ We ended up talking for a long time that night.” The relationship developed slowly but steadily, with the couple enjoying shared values, mutual respect, and—importantly—each other’s families. John quickly became a positive presence in the lives of Vanna’s grown children, Nikko and Gigi.
While fans have often speculated about potential wedding bells, Vanna has consistently emphasized that she and John are content with their relationship as it is. Describing her ideal date night, she told Closer Weekly: “A very simple dinner with a bottle of wine… at home or at a restaurant, as long as I’m not cooking!”
- Current partner: John Donaldson
- Relationship since: 2012
- How they met: At a barbecue at Vanna’s house, introduced by a friend
- Status: Not married, happy together
Why Vanna and John Have Not Married (Yet)
Vanna and John have been together for well over a decade, causing many fans to wonder about their thoughts surrounding marriage.
- They value their companionship and see no reason to change something that feels perfect as it is.
- Both have established, independent lives and are comfortable with their partnership without legal formalities.
- Vanna has publicly stated that they do not feel pressure to get married and enjoy their relationship as it stands.
The Importance of Family to Vanna White
While romance may have been a focus for tabloid headlines, for Vanna, family has always been paramount. Her two children keep her grounded, and she is known for keeping her personal and family life as private as possible—at least, as much as public curiosity allows. In interviews, she has shared how Nikko and Gigi grew up around the Wheel of Fortune set and have always been her top priority.
Additionally, Vanna shares a close bond with her mother and stepfather (Herbert White Jr., who passed away in April 2022) and has been supported by her extended family, including the late actor Christopher George, who was a family mentor.
Vanna White’s Philanthropy and Personal Growth
Beyond her romantic relationships, Vanna White has continued to evolve and give back. As of 2019, she had donated over $1.8 million to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, with a promise to continue her charitable work into retirement.
Her resilience in the face of tragedy and her devotion to both her family and the broader community have made her a role model far beyond her television career.
Relationship Timeline Table
| Partner | Nature of Relationship | Duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| John Gibson | Fiancé | Early-mid 1980s–1986 | Died in plane crash before wedding |
| George Santo Pietro | Husband | 1990–2002 | Two children; amicable divorce |
| Michael Kaye | Fiancé | 2004–2006 | Engaged, did not marry |
| John Donaldson | Partner | 2012–present | Long-term, not married |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Did Vanna White’s husband die?
No, George Santo Pietro, Vanna’s ex-husband, is still alive. The confusion may stem from Vanna’s former fiancé, John Gibson, who tragically died in a plane crash in 1986.
Is Vanna White married now?
No, Vanna White is not currently married. She is in a long-term relationship with John Donaldson, but they have not tied the knot.
How did Vanna White meet her boyfriend John Donaldson?
They met in 2012 when a mutual friend brought John to a barbecue at Vanna’s house. Their connection was immediate, leading to their enduring relationship.
Does Vanna White have children?
Yes, she has two children with her ex-husband, George Santo Pietro: son Nikko and daughter Gigi. Both are now grown adults.
What tragedies has Vanna White faced in her personal life?
Vanna suffered the sudden loss of her fiancé John Gibson and later experienced a miscarriage after publicly announcing her pregnancy. Both events deeply affected her, but she has spoken about the support she received from viewers and her perseverance through grief.
Vanna White’s Relationship Insights
- Vulnerability and strength: Vanna has been candid about her hardships, sharing that her fans and faith were essential supports throughout personal losses.
- Co-parenting: Even after divorce, she prioritizes maintaining harmony and respect with her children’s father.
- Friendship and family: Many of her relationships began through friends or family connections, emphasizing the importance of trust and compatibility.
- Comfort with privacy: Despite fame, Vanna has drawn a clear line between her public persona and private life, sharing only what she chooses.
Vanna White: A Life Beyond the Letter Board
Vanna White’s life story is far more than glamorous gowns and game shows. Through loss, love, motherhood, and maturity, she has navigated notoriety with grace and humility. Her long-standing role on Wheel of Fortune may continue to make headlines, but it is her personal journey—marked by profound love, painful loss, and quiet resilience—that offers enduring inspiration.
References
- https://hollywoodlife.com/feature/vanna-white-husband-4809100/
- https://parade.com/celebrities/vanna-white-husband-boyfriend-relationships
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vanna_White
- https://www.famousfix.com/topic/vanna-white/dating
- https://www.aol.com/vanna-white-shares-her-relationship-155430257.html
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