MANY contestants have competed in hopes of becoming million-dollar winners on Wheel of Fortune since its debut in 1975.
However, only a few contestants can actually claim that title including actress, Melissa Joan Hart — let's take a look at the winners.
Has anyone won the million dollars on Wheel of Fortune?
As of October 2023, four contestants have won the million-dollar prize on Wheel of Fortune.
These contestants include actress Melissa Joan Hart, Autumn Erhard, Michelle Loewenstein, and Sarah Manchester.
In 2008, Michelle Loewenstein, a florist from Santa Monica, California, became the first million-dollar winner on the show taking home a whopping $1,026,080.
Following Loewenstein was Autumn Erhard.
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In May 2013, Autumn Erhard won $1,030,340 on Wheel of Fortune - making her the highest-winning contestant thus far.
Autumn correctly guessed the phrase "tough workout" during her bonus round. Host Pat Sajak then opened the envelope and revealed the $1 million prize.
"I was just completely shocked," Erhard later told NPR.
"I couldn't even speak anymore, I could barely breathe. I thought I would cry but I think I had so many emotions going on that I was almost frozen."
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She went on to reveal that she spent her evenings on the couch solving Wheel of Fortune puzzles when she was young.
"I was always told growing up, 'You should try out,' " Erhard told NPR.
"For some reason, I just decided, 'I'm going to do it.'"
The following year after Erhard's victory, in 2014, Sarah Manchester took home $1,017,490.
When did Melissa Joan Hart win the million dollars?
On October 17, 2021, actress Melissa Joan Hart made history when she won the $1 million prize on Celebrity Wheel of Fortune.
After solving the bonus puzzle, it was revealed Hart became the fourth person in franchise history to win the prize.
Her earnings were donated to the charity, Youth Villages.
"They serve families and children across 23 different states in every kind of level, going through foster care and aging out of foster care especially," said Hart.
Who is Wheel of Fortune host, Pat Sajak?
While Wheel of Fortune has seen contestants come and go, Pat Sajak has remained the face of the show since 1981.
Sajak was born on October 26, 1946, in Chicago, Illinois.
Sajak has been predominately known as the host of Wheel of Fortune.
In 2019, he surpassed the late Bob Barker as having the longest career as a game show host according to Guinness World Records.
According to multiple outlets, Sajak has made a hefty earning as a host tallying up $15 million per season.
However, after more than 40 years as the show's famed host, it was revealed that after June 2024, Sajak would retire from his position.
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Replacing the face of Wheel of Fortune is beloved host, Ryan Seacrest.
Seacrest is set to take over the game show as of September 2024.
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