Pat Sajak has officially retired from “Wheel of Fortune” after 41 years, and concluded his run with a heartfelt message during his final show Friday night.
During the episode, Sajak replaced one of the game’s usual rounds with a farewell speech, and awarded each contestant $5,000 to compensate for lost cash.
“Well, the time has come to say goodbye,” Sajak’s message began. “It’s been an incredible privilege to be invited into millions of homes night after night, year after year, decade after decade.”
He went on to emphasize the show’s role as a “safe place for family fun,” but said over the years, it had become so much more than that — “a place where kids learned their letters, where people from other countries honed their English skills, where families came together along with friends and neighbors and entire generations.”
Sajak added it was was an honor “to play even a small part in all of that,” and took time to offer his thanks to the show’s staff and crew, as well as wife Lesly and their two children.
His daughter, Maggie Sajak, joined “Wheel of Fortune” as a social correspondent in 2021 and has been a part of the show ever since.
Sajak also made special mention of his longtime co-host Vanna White, who got emotional in a tearful tribute earlier this week. Though he said he’ll greatly miss working alongside White, he takes “solace” in the fact that the two will remain as close of friends as they have been for the past four decades.
White will continue in her role as hostess next season, when Ryan Seacrest steps in to fill Sajak’s shoes.
Following Friday’s episode, the “American Idol” host wrote a touching tribute on Instagram.
“Your dedication, charm, and wit have made the show a beloved part of American television for decades,” Seacrest said of Sajak. “Your partnership with Vanna has been nothing short of iconic, and together, you’ve created countless wonderful memories for viewers. You’ve set the standard for hosts everywhere.”
Over the course of his career, Sajak racked up more than 8,000 episodes over his 41 seasons as the host of “Wheel.” His final episode featured a nostalgic look back at his 1981 debut, and one puzzle answer even paid homage to his hometown of Chicago.
