PAT Sajak is now retired from Wheel of Fortune, and his tearjerking final episode after four decades as host aired tonight.
Pat, 77, bid farewell to the masses with a lengthy personal message at the tail end of his last-ever show on Friday, June 7, 2024.
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After 43 years, 8000 episodes, and more ridiculous answers than anyone could count, Pat wrapped on Wheel of Fortune.
He donned a double-breasted suit for his final show, while Vanna wore a glittering red dress.
He held court with three contestants as usual: Tammy, Nino, and Adrienne.
But, of course, the episode was not business as usual, as it was his goodbye.
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Pat told the contestants he was cutting a round since he had something to say at the end.
‘THE TIME HAS COME’
Pat spoke directly to TV viewers in a video at the end of the Season 42 finale.
“Well, the time has come to say goodbye,” he said.
“I have a few thanks and acknowledgments I go.”
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“And I want to start with all of you watching out there.”
“It’s been an incredible privilege to be invited into millions of homes night after night, year after year, decade after decade.
“And I’ve always felt that privilege came with the responsibility to keep this daily half-hour a safe place for family fun.
“No social issues, no politics, nothing embarrassing, I hope. Just a game.”
“But gradually, it became more than that: kids learned their letters, people honed their English skills, and families came together with friends, neighbors, and entire generations.
“What an honor to have played even a small part in all of that. Thank you for allowing me into your lives.”
“Every time we taped a show I met three new people from all parts of the country and the world who were kind, considerate, who rooted for each other.
“Who took great pride in talking about their family, their hometown, their schools, their friends, their jobs, even their pets.
“In the end they were the real stars, I genuinely like these people and I will miss getting to know them.”
He said it was a “joy” to work with the staff, “everyone pulled together. It worked because you made it work.”
“Your efforts never were unnoticed by me. I’ll miss you guys.”
Pat also shared his love for Maggie, his daughter, who is “liked around here because she’s humble.”
He praised his wife Lesly, “I love her for what she is.”
‘THAT’S IT!’
And “finally, to my professional other half dear Vanna. Like me she takes the show very seriously but not herself.
“I shudder to think what this show would have been like had they brought someone in all full of themselves playing the prima donna role.
“Vanna is as sweet and as unassuming as she seems. I want to thank her for her lovely goodbye on yesterday’s show.
“I will miss our nightly closes, her laughter and good nature.”
“She’s a very special woman and I know you’re all pleased to know she’ll be back next season.”
Pat closed, promising you’ll be seeing more of him on summer reruns.
“That’s it!” he concluded. “Thank you all so very much, and goodbye.”
Vanna swept in for a hug as the audience roared, thus concluding Pat’s last show.
‘I’M NOT CRYING YOU’RE CRYING!’
Fans flooded social media, speechless over Pat’s sendoff and wise words.
“Pat trying to hold back tears… oof,” one fan wrote.
“A touching tribute from @patsajak on his final episode,” wrote another.
“Why am I tearing up at pat sajak saying goodbye,” wrote a third.
“I’m not crying you’re crying,” wrote a fourth.
Plus, Pat’s time ended with a win as Adrienne with $28,900 and aced the bonus puzzle, getting $50,000 more – before Pat’s gorgeous tribute ended his tenure.
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VANNA’S GOODBYE
During Pat’s penultimate episode on Thursday, Vanna, 67, delivered her own incredible message after four decades together.
Pat then told viewers that Vanna had something prepared – and there wasn’t a dry eye in the house.
The broadcast cut to Vanna saying goodbye as she cried in an incredible pre-taped video.
“I can’t believe tomorrow is our last show together,” Vanna said, forcing a smile.
“I don’t know how to put into words what these last 41 years have meant to me. But I’m going to try.
“Eight thousand episodes went by like that.
“You made me feel so comfortable, so confident,” said Vanna, who has become a letter-turning legend.
“You made me who I am. You really did.”
“We’ve laughed, we’ve cried, we’ve celebrated- oh gosh. What an incredible and unforgettable journey we’ve had.
Vanna added, holding back tears. “And I’ve enjoyed every minute of it with you.”
She took a deep breath and continued as her eyes welled.
“You’re like a brother to me, and I consider you a true lifelong friend who I will always adore.”
“I love you, Pat.”
‘OH MY’
The broadcast cut back to Pat and Vanna standing together center stage. “Oh my,” Pat said.
They embraced in a lengthy hug, and the audience applauded.
“Well,” he said as he pulled out a tissue. “I was saving this for her but,” implying he was crying too.
“And you almost lost me a day early because when you’re not expecting confetti, it’s very frightening,” he quipped.
There wasn’t a dry eye on social media either, as fans couldn’t believe Vanna’s gorgeous tribute.
“Didn’t ever think I’d cry watching Wheel of Fortune but here we are…” one X user wrote.
“Watching Pat’s next-to-last #WheelofFortune and…Vanna’s heartfelt goodbye at the end, man,” wrote another.
Vanna will continue as co-host and letter-turner on Wheel of Fortune in Season 42 with new host Ryan Seacrest this fall.
‘SURPRISINGLY OKAY’
Earlier in his final week, Pat opened up about why he chose to exit the show on Good Morning America.
During the nearly four-minute segment, Maggie Sajak, 29 – Wheel of Fortune‘s social media correspondent – interviewed her father about his retirement.
“It’s surprisingly OK,” Pat said about his time on the show ending so soon.
“This was announced a long time ago, almost a year ago,” he noted.
“So I’ve had time to sort of get used to it. And it’s been a little bit wistful and all that, but I’m enjoying it and taking it all in and reflecting on the great run.”
Pat, who started hosting Wheel of Fortune in 1981, acknowledged that the show is more than just any other TV program.
“We became part of the popular culture. And more importantly, we became part of people’s lives,” he said. “And that’s been awfully gratifying.”
“I’ve always said to you, you’ve heard me say this dozens of times, ‘I’d rather leave a couple years too early than a couple of years too late.’
“Could I still do it? Yeah, I think I could for a while,” Pat told Maggie, 29.
“[But] There’s also other things in life, we’d like to do,” Pat continued.
“I’m enjoying this last year. It’s been a great 40 years. I’m looking forward to whatever is ahead,” he closed.
Pat also shared that he would be happy living out his retirement, doing “crossword puzzles and playing with his grandchildren.”
“Hint. Hint. Hint. No pressure,” he joked to Maggie.
In addition to Maggie, Pat shares his son, Patrick, with his wife, Lesly Brown.
Like his sister, Patrick does not have any children – but Maggie recently struck up a romance with actor Ross McCall.
Meanwhile, Vanna has two children of her own and a partner of 12 years; no, prying minds, they were never an item.
Pat has already secured a new gig after his retirement, he will star in a small theater production in Hawaii this summer.
WINNING LEGACY
Pat was born on October 26, 1946, in Chicago, Illinois, and got his start as a disc jockey and played various stints at radio stations.
He also landed a job serving in the US Army as a DJ for the American Forces Vietnam Network during the war, entertaining soldiers out in Vietnam.
Pat took over for original host Chuck Woolery in 1981 and has become to many the last longstanding game show host on TV.
Sajak has received 19 Emmy nominations for Outstanding Game Show Host and has won in the category three times.
Due to Sajak’s successful career, he has been able to amass an extensive net worth.
He has an estimated fortune of $70 million, with an annual salary of $14 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth.
Pat will retire with the longest career as host for the same show in history, surpassing previous record holder Bob Barker and Alex Trebek.
It’s also a pivotal moment for TV game shows in general.
Pat is the last of the old-school game show hosts.
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