Vanna White Marries John Donaldson: Inside the ‘Wheel of Fortune’ Star’s Surprise Wedding

After more than a decade of dating, Wheel of Fortune co-host Vanna White has officially tied the knot with her long-time partner, John Donaldson. The couple, radiant with joy, celebrated their private wedding on January 21, 2026, surprising fans worldwide. Vanna shared the news on Instagram with photos from the ceremony, including a heartfelt moment of John carrying her, captioned:

“Surprise! We got married! John and I have been in love for more than a decade, and a little while back, we wanted to make it official in a private ceremony. We’re excited to share this new joyful chapter in our lives with all of you! Love, Vanna and John.”

This marks Vanna White’s second marriage, 23 years after her divorce from her first husband, George Santo Pietro. The couple shares two children, Nicholas ‘Nikko’ and Giovanna ‘Gigi’ Santo Pietro.

Vanna and John’s love story spans nearly 14 years. They first met in 2012 through a mutual friend at a barbeque, instantly connecting. In a 2019 interview with PEOPLE, White shared: “I remember looking at him and thinking, ‘He’s really cute’. We ended up talking for a long time that night… It just works. He lets me be me, I let him be him … There is no drama in our relationship.”

John Donaldson, 60, is a successful real estate developer and owner of JDC Construction + Development Group. Originally from California, he started his career as a labourer and eventually built his own company, specializing in residential development and restoration projects, including rebuilding after the 1994 Northridge earthquake. Unlike his celebrity wife, John prefers a private life, though he has accompanied Vanna to numerous charity events and red carpets.

Vanna’s first marriage to George Santo Pietro began in December 1990 and produced two children. The couple separated in 2001 and finalized their divorce in 2002. George, previously a restaurateur, transitioned into real estate development.

With this new chapter, Vanna White and John Donaldson continue to exemplify a drama-free, enduring partnership, proving that true love can thrive away from the public eye while creating joyful moments worth celebrating.