Vanna White started tearing up while talking about the 41 years she spent working alongside Pat Sajak. In a video, she shared her farewell message with her longtime Wheel of Fortune cohost as his time on the show comes to a close. In June 2023, Pat announced that he was retiring. Vanna, 67, plans to stay for now, but she had a lot to say about Pat's departure from the show.
First, Vanna thought back to when she first started working on Wheel of Fortune with Pat. "When I first started, I was so green. You made me so comfortable, and made me so confident, Pat. You made me who I am. You really did," she said.
She went on to explain that although they've "grown up on television" alongside each other, their connection is much deeper than that, and the memories they shared "behind the scenes" really stand out to her.
"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," she said, also noting some of the many experiences they've shared together: traveling, celebrating, eating meals, "[watching] our children grow up together," among other memories.
As Vanna thought back to all of the memories they've shared, her voice broke. "What an incredible and unforgettable journey we’ve had," she said. "And I’ve enjoyed every minute of it with you."
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After all the time they've spent working together, Pat is more than just a cohost, He's "like a brother to me" and "a true lifelong friend who I will always adore," she said.
"I love you, Pat," she concluded.