There’s nothing quite like family tradition, and the Sajak family just proved that once again. Pat Sajak, the beloved host of Wheel of Fortune, showed the world that his hosting talent runs deep in the family when his daughter, Maggie Sajak, stepped in to join Vanna White on the iconic game show. At just 25 years old, Maggie didn’t miss a beat as she filled in for her dad, who is recovering from surgery, and tested her skills as the guest letter-turning model.
A Momentous Day on the Wheel
The exciting news broke on January 6 when Wheel of Fortune released a video on their YouTube channel. Fans were thrilled to see Pat make a brief appearance, but he quickly reassured everyone that his absence wasn’t due to a relapse. Instead, it was all about the "technicalities of the show" and how it’s filmed. Pat’s fans can rest easy knowing he’s on the mend and will return to the stage soon.
Meet the New Sajak in Town
The video captured Pat, a proud dad who shares Maggie and son Patrick Sajak, 29, with his wife, Lesly Brown, introducing the star of the day. As the camera cuts to Vanna White, the ever-gracious 62-year-old walked onto the Wheel of Fortune stage to announce the exciting guest. “As you just heard, Pat will be back next week,” Vanna told the audience. “In the meantime, I’m happy to fill in. But, you know, I could do this even better hosting the show with a Sajak. Everyone, please welcome Pat’s daughter, Maggie Sajak.”
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Stealing the Spotlight
As Maggie, a blonde beauty, took the stage in a stunning red minidress, the crowd erupted in cheers and applause. In conversation with Vanna, Maggie opened up about her dad’s emergency surgery to correct a blocked intestine, calling it a “scary experience.” She reassured fans, however, that Pat was doing “great” and was well on his way to recovery. Her charm and confidence quickly won over the audience, proving that hosting is in her blood.
At the end of the show, Maggie and Vanna returned to center stage, reflecting on the first time Maggie ever appeared on Wheel of Fortune—all the way back in 1996 when she was just a baby. A clip played showing little Maggie making her game show debut alongside her dad. With a laugh, Maggie joked that she hoped she was “a little more eloquent than last time.” Fans couldn’t agree more; Maggie was nothing short of fantastic.
Maggie’s appearance comes weeks after Pat revealed the news of his emergency surgery on November 7. While fans missed the former Pat Sajak Show star, they couldn’t have been happier to see his longtime co-star, Vanna White, step in during his absence. Vanna has been nothing short of amazing, and she shared her experience with Closer Weekly in early November. “You know, I’m getting some great feedback,” she said, noting that stepping into such big shoes was initially terrifying. “It did get easier as the shows went on,” she added. “I was just kind of thrown into it. It was a lot to comprehend to carry a show, and I’m a very shy person anyway and don’t really talk a lot. So to have to carry the show was kind of scary.”
