Vanna White’s Biggest Regret: The Untold Story Behind The 1987 Playboy Pics

The enduring mystery and curiosity surrounding Vanna White’s appearance in *Playboy* magazine remains one of the most significant controversies in game show history, a moment that nearly cost the beloved "Wheel of Fortune" co-host her career. Published in the May 1987 issue, the pictorial was not a standard celebrity shoot, but a collection of private photos taken years earlier that were sold to the magazine without her permission, leading to a dramatic legal battle and public fallout.

As of December 12, 2025, Vanna White has consistently and candidly expressed her deep regret over the photos, emphasizing the desperation and financial hardship that led to the original shoot, and the sense of betrayal she felt when *Playboy* published them during the height of her fame. This article dives into the full context of the controversial images, the legal fight, the career consequences, and the lasting impact on one of television's most iconic figures.

Vanna White: A Complete Biography and Career Profile

Vanna White is an American television personality and game show co-host whose career has spanned over four decades, primarily defined by her role on the syndicated version of *Wheel of Fortune*.

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• Full Name: Vanna Marie Rosich White
• Date of Birth: February 18, 1957
• Place of Birth: North Myrtle Beach (or Conway), South Carolina, U.S.
• Early Life: She was adopted by her stepfather, Herbert Stackley White Jr., and took his surname.
• Career Start: White began her career as a model, competing in the Miss Georgia USA pageant in 1978.
• *Wheel of Fortune* Role: She became the co-host and letter-turner for *Wheel of Fortune* in 1982, solidifying her status as a television legend.
• First Marriage: Married to restaurateur George Santo Pietro from 1990 to 2002.
• Children: Son Nicholas (born 1994) and daughter Giovanna (born 1997) with Santo Pietro.
• Current Relationship: She has been in a long-term relationship with contractor John Donaldson since 2012.

The Desperation and Context of the Original Photo Shoot (1982)

The pictures that would later cause a media frenzy in 1987 were actually taken five years earlier, in 1982, a critical year for White's career. At the time, she was a struggling model and actress living in Los Angeles, desperately trying to make ends meet.

She has been open about the extreme financial hardship she faced during this period. In a candid interview, White revealed she was "too embarrassed to ask my dad for rent money," which led her to take the modeling gig.

The photos were taken by a former boyfriend, and the images were described as showing her in "see-through" lingerie or sheer clothing, some partially nude, but not a full nude spread.

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Crucially, the photos were taken before she landed her career-defining role as the letter-turner on *Wheel of Fortune*. When she signed on to the game show later in 1982, she was a relatively unknown model, a far cry from the household name she would become by the time the photos were published.

This pre-fame context is essential for understanding the controversy. The images were not a choice made by a television star, but an act of desperation by a broke young woman trying to pay her rent.

The 1987 Scandal, Lawsuit, and Hugh Hefner’s Role

By 1987, Vanna White was a national phenomenon. Her role alongside host Pat Sajak had turned her into a game show legend, famous for her glamorous gowns and signature letter-turning motion. Her image was wholesome, family-friendly, and meticulously curated.

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The news that *Playboy* magazine was planning to publish the old photos in its May 1987 issue caused immediate panic. White knew the revelation of a revealing pictorial would clash with her public persona and could easily cost her the highly coveted *Wheel of Fortune* job.

The $5.2 Million Legal Battle

In an effort to stop the publication, Vanna White filed a massive $5.2 million lawsuit against *Playboy* and its founder, Hugh Hefner. She argued that the magazine was exploiting her current fame by publishing photos taken years before without her consent for the pictorial. The suit claimed the publication of the "revealing photographs" would severely damage her career and public image.

Despite her legal efforts, the magazine proceeded with the publication. Hugh Hefner, who had personally purchased the photos, put her on the cover. White later clarified that she "didn't do it for *Playboy*," and that Hefner was the one who decided to use the images.

The controversy dominated headlines. The game show's producer, Merv Griffin, was reportedly supportive of White, which ultimately saved her job. The network and her colleagues stood by her, recognizing that she was a victim of a situation from her past that was being exploited for profit.

The Lasting Impact and Vanna White’s Current Regret

While Vanna White survived the scandal and her career on *Wheel of Fortune* continued to flourish, the *Playboy* pictorial remains a permanent footnote in her life story. The incident sparked a national conversation about privacy, exploitation, and the double standards applied to women in the public eye.

In numerous interviews over the years, including recent reflections, White has maintained that the decision to pose for those pictures is her "major regret" and something she "shouldn't have" done.

Her regret stems not only from the photos themselves but from the anxiety and fear that the publication caused, nearly derailing her dream career. She has used the experience as a cautionary tale, a reminder of the vulnerability of young, struggling professionals in Hollywood.

Decades later, the *Playboy* pictorial is viewed less as a scandal and more as a curious, complicated chapter of a television icon’s journey. It highlights the immense pressure and financial struggles many aspiring stars face, and the power dynamics between celebrities and media moguls like Hugh Hefner.

Vanna White has successfully navigated the controversy, maintaining her wholesome image and her status as one of the longest-serving and most beloved game show hosts in television history, ensuring that the legacy of her decades-long *Wheel of Fortune* career far outweighs the brief, controversial appearance in *Playboy*.