The Wheel of Fortune host Pat Sajak was born in Chicago, Illinois, on October 26, 1946. He will reach the age of 76 in 2022.
Before switching to reading the news on the radio, Pat started out as a DJ. Then, in 1968, he enlisted in the US Army, and during the Vietnam War, he served as a DJ for the American Forces Vietnam Network.
In 1981, he started hosting Wheel of Fortune. Pat has almost 285k followers on Twitter as @patsajak.
Pat Sajak’s Early Life
On October 26, 1946, Patrick Leonard Sajdak was born in Chicago, Illinois. He was up in Chicago and is the son of Joyce Helen and Leonard Anthony Sajdak.
All of his grandparents and grandmothers were Poles. Pat’s mother remarried after his father went away while he was a young boy. Sajak attended and graduated from Farragut High School in 1964.
He was a student at Columbia College Chicago and a front desk clerk at the Palmer House Hotel.
Pat Sajak’s Income and Net Worth
| Net Worth: | $75 Million |
| Salary: | $14 Million |
| Date of Birth: | Oct 26, 1946 (76 years old) |
| Place of Birth: | Chicago |
| Gender: | Male |
| Height: | 5 ft 9 in (1.77 m) |
| Profession: | Game Show Host, Talk show host, Actor, Radio personality, Film Producer, Television producer |
| Nationality: | United States of America |
A former weatherman, current television personality, actor, and host of game shows, Pat Sajak has a net worth of $75 million. Sajak is most known for his many years of presenting the game show “Wheel of Fortune.” Pat receives a yearly salary of $14 million for his work on “Wheel.”
It’s not Pat’s main source of income every year, as we’ll see in a moment. More money is made each year by Pat and Vanna White than they do from the game show itself because to the licencing of their likenesses to slot machines.
Sajak’s Early Career
When Sajak was still a college student, his broadcasting instructor informed him that the local radio station WEDC was hiring a news anchor.
After submitting an application, he was given the station’s 6 a.m. slot. In 1968, Sajak enrolled in the US Army to serve in the Vietnam War. While serving in the Army, he was a DJ for Armed Forces Radio.
He greeted viewers with “Good morning, Vietnam!” at the beginning of each broadcast, just like Robin Williams’ character in the corresponding movie. In the early 1970s, Sajak worked as a DJ in Nashville, serving as their afternoon personality from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m.
When Will Pat Sajak Retire From ‘Wheel of Fortune’?
Television legend Pat Sajak announced his resignation as the charismatic host of the venerable game show “Wheel of Fortune” in an emotional tweet on Monday.
Sajak announced that the forthcoming 41st season, which is scheduled to air in September, will be his final outing as the star of the adored programme, capping up an astounding 40-year run. Sajak, who is well-known for his charm and wit, thanked his devoted followers and promised to provide more information regarding his leaving in the coming months.
Fans are anticipating the end of an era, and there is much speculation about who may succeed him. Following his final hosting year, Sajak will continue to be involved with the programme for three more years as a consultant.
Suzanne Prete, Sony Pictures Television’s executive vice president of game shows, expressed gratitude for Sajak’s extraordinary contribution and assured fans that they would remember his exceptional career over the upcoming season.
Sajak and his longstanding co-host Vanna White have cemented their spots in television history as one of the longest-running teams in the game show genre with a spectacular legacy and numerous Emmy trophies under their belts. As viewers say goodbye to a beloved host, they may anticipate cherishing Sajak’s final season and honouring the enormous contribution he has made to “Wheel of Fortune.”
How Did Pat Sajak Get This Chance?
Merv Griffin, the creator of popular TV game shows, gave Sajak the chance to host Wheel of Fortune in 1983. The president of NBC rejected Pat because he was “too local.”
In an effort to elicit this response from the President, Merv Griffin refused to start recording new episodes unless Pat was employed.
As a result, Pat Sajak hosted the programme for more than 30 years. Pat Sajak’s $15 million annual salary as the host of this show contributed greatly to his rise in net worth.
Sajak nevertheless managed to win three Emmys. He hosted his own talk show on CBS from January 9, 1989, through April 13, 1990.
Personal Life
In Annapolis, Maryland, in December 1989, Sajak wed photojournalist Lesly Brown Sajak. He was married to an unknown woman from 1979 to 1986. Patrick Michael James Sajak (born in 1990) and Maggie Marie Sajak are Pat and Lesly’s two children (born 1995). Maggie is a country musician who has so far put out three singles.
The couple has two properties, one in Los Angeles and the other in Severna Park, Maryland. According to Pat Sajak, there is no evidence for climate change. Also, he gives to the Young America’s Foundation, which supports right-leaning speakers on university campuses across the nation.
The Churches of Christ are the Sajaks’ affiliation. In November 2019, Pat underwent urgent intestinal surgery to unblock his intestines. Vanna White took over as host while he was getting better. On December 5, 2019, three weeks later, he went back to work.
Conclusion
The legendary “Wheel of Fortune” host Pat Sajak has accumulated a net worth of $75 million over the course of his storied career. Sajak, who is well-known for his alluring presence and endearing personality, has benefited much from his position as the star of the well-known game show.
He has dabbled in a number of different enterprises in addition to hosting, which has helped him increase his income. With his approaching retirement, viewers will say goodbye to a great presenter who made an enduring impression on the television industry.
