Vanna White, the longtime star of Wheel of Fortune, has married her partner of nearly 13 years, John Donaldson, in a private ceremony.
“Surprise! We got married! ❤️” White shared on Instagram Wednesday, posting a sweet photo from their intimate wedding day.
“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”
In the photos, White smiles as Donaldson carries her, wearing a beaded white dress and silver heels, while he opted for a relaxed suit with an open-collar shirt. She also shared throwback images from throughout their relationship, drawing congratulations from fans, friends, and the official Wheel of Fortune account.
White and Donaldson began dating in 2012 after meeting at a barbecue. She previously recalled being instantly smitten, saying she thought he was “really cute” when they first met, and noted that they talked for hours that night. In later interviews, including one with People, White said she already felt married to Donaldson even without a ring.
At the time, White shared that she and Donaldson — who owns a construction and development company in California — had not even discussed marriage.
“We don’t really talk about it, but you never know,” she told People. “I mean, I guess we could, but in my eyes and his eyes, we are married.”
White also said the relationship works so well because Donaldson is “the male version” of her, adding that they are very similar in nature.
Jean_Nelson via Deposit Photos
John Donaldson was born and raised in Santa Monica, California, and knew from a young age that he wanted a career in construction, according to People. He began working as a laborer in the San Fernando Valley, taking on physically demanding jobs before moving up to carpentry work and eventually becoming a head foreman on luxury homes in the Hollywood Hills. Over the years, his projects included work for high-profile clients such as Richard Dreyfuss, Dan Aykroyd, and Martin Mull. Donaldson later earned his contractor’s license and went on to launch his own company, JDC Construction + Development Group, where he serves as president and building developer. His firm focuses on restoring and developing multifamily properties, with some of his most formative work coming after the devastating 1994 Northridge earthquake, when he helped repair and rehabilitate damaged buildings across Los Angeles.
White was previously married to George Santo Pietro from 1990 to 2002. They share two children, Nicholas “Nikko” and Giovanna “Gigi” Santo Pietro.