‘Wheel of Fortune’ co-host Vanna White reportedly hasn’t received a raise in nearly two decades

“Wheel of Fortune” co-host Vanna White, a fixture on the game show for more than four decades, has not received a pay raise in 18 years, according to digital media company Puck, citing multiple sources.

White, who has appeared on more than 7,000 episodes of the popular program, is paid $3 million each year for her role, the publication reported. Though she has received some bonuses along the way, her proper salary has remained stagnant for nearly two decades.

Her pay is nearly five times less than what longtime host Pat Sajak earns annually, Puck said, despite White spending as much — if not more time — on set than Sajak and participating in more publicity for the show than her co-host.

But with Sajak set to retire at the end of the upcoming season, to be replaced by Ryan Seacrest, White is reportedly asking for a salary increase and has hired high-profile lawyer Bryan Freedman, who has represented figures such as Tucker Carlson and Chris Cuomo.

“I’m told Freedman is hitting the pay discrepancy issue hard with Sony, as well as possible gender discrimination with respect to White’s salary,” Puck’s Matthew Belloni said in the article.

Over the years, White has become synonymous with the popular syndicated show. Sony Pictures Television’s own research suggests White’s popularity among women helps drive the show’s older, female viewership.

But in the past, White’s job security wasn’t always guaranteed. Before it was a financial juggernaut on television, Belloni said executives in the 1990s considered axing White’s role, which today primarily consists of tapping tiles to reveal the correct answers.

The revelations surrounding White’s salary come as Sony Pictures Television announced Tuesday that Seacrest had signed a multi-year deal to host the long-running game show starting with Season 42. Sajak recently announced the upcoming 41st season would be his last.

Sony Pictures Television did not immediately respond to the Star’s request for comment.

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