Inside Vanna White’s Long-Running Relationship – and the Man Who Shares Her Life
For more than 40 years, Vanna White has been one of the most familiar faces on American television thanks to Wheel of Fortune.
Yet while millions recognize her on screen, far fewer know much about the life she leads away from the cameras.
That privacy has been intentional.
Born in North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, White built a historic television career after joining Wheel of Fortune in 1982.
Through decades of fame, she made a conscious effort to keep her personal life grounded and out of the spotlight — a choice that has shaped her most meaningful relationships.
Before her current partnership, White experienced both love and loss. She was engaged to actor John Gibson in the 1980s before his tragic death in a plane crash.
In 1990, she married restaurateur George Santo Pietro, with whom she shares two children.
Though the marriage ended in divorce in 2002, the pair remained committed co-parents.
A later engagement ended quietly, reinforcing White’s preference for discretion over drama.
In 2012, her life shifted again — not at a Hollywood event, but at a backyard barbecue.
There, she met John Donaldson, a California native who built his career in construction and property development.
The connection was immediate and natural.
Since then, the two have built a relationship defined by balance and mutual respect.
White has described Donaldson as calm, supportive, and “the male version of me,” noting that their compatibility comes from letting each other simply be themselves.
Though they’ve been together for more than a decade, marriage has never been a priority.
White has said they already feel fully committed without formalizing it, a perspective many fans find refreshingly honest.
Occasional public appearances and rare social media glimpses show a relaxed, blended family life – one that values stability over spectacle.
In a world where celebrity relationships often play out in headlines, White and Donaldson’s partnership stands out for its quiet strength.
Ultimately, their story resonates because it reflects something timeless: a lasting connection built not for attention, but for everyday life.
