Wheel of Fortune/YouTube ; Chris Willard/CBS
NEED TO KNOW
Wheel of Fortune premiered on Jan. 6, 1975
During its 26th season in 2008, the show introduced a $1 million grand prize
Since then, four contestants have walked away with the money
Only four contestants have walked away with $1 million sinceWheel of Fortunefirst premiered in 1975.
The game show made its debut on Jan. 6, 1975, with the lateChuck Wooleryas its original host. After Woolery's departure,Pat Sajaktook over, hosting the show for more than four decades alongsideVanna White. Today, White continues to co-host the series withRyan Seacrest.
In 2008,Wheel of Fortuneintroduced its million-dollar grand prize during its 26th season. To win, the contestant must land on the wedge, solve the puzzle and make it to the Bonus Round without going bankrupt — something that's only been accomplished by four people over the years.
Michelle Loewenstein made history in 2008 as the first contestant to claim the prize shortly after it was introduced. She was later followed by Autumn Erhard, Sarah Manchester and, most recently,Christina Derevjanik. (Melissa Joan Hartalsowon over $1 million, which was later donated to charity, onCelebrityWheel of Fortunein 2021.)
So, where are all of theWheel of Fortunemillion-dollar winners now? Here's everything to know about their lives today.
Michelle Loewenstein
Wheel of Fortune/YouTube
Loewenstein made history in 2008 when she becameWheel of Fortune's first million-dollar winner, taking home $1,026,800.
At the time, the Edison, N.J., native had recently gotten married and working as a floral designer.
"What an incredible wedding present ... we just arrived home from our honeymoon a few days ago," she said just after the taping, according to apress release. "I still can't believe I won $1 million, but I had a feeling something good was going to happen today."
In October 2008, Loewenstein toldThe Malibu Timesthat she and her husband would likely buy a new home with the winnings.
"We'll probably buy a house, and I will help out my family," she said. "The experience far exceeded my expectations. There aren't any words to describe it. It's so surreal, but a little overwhelming at the same time."
Since then, Loewenstein has stayed out of the spotlight and leads a private life.
Autumn Erhard
Wheel of Fortune/YouTube (2)
Erhard became the second million-dollar winner onWheel of Fortunein 2013, when she took home a cash prize of $1,030,340.
Erhard was wedding planning with her then-fiancé Joey at the time, and toldGood Morning Americathat there was "a lot less stress" given her victory, perABC News. "We definitely want to travel a bit and just kind of prepare for life and kids."
Per herLinkedIn, Erhard appears to have since gotten married and left her role as a sales representative for Animal Health International, Inc. in October 2014.
Sarah Manchester
Wheel of Fortune/YouTube ; LinkedIn
In September 2014, Manchester — a math teacher from Silver Spring, Md. — became the third person to win the $1 million grand prize, perABC News.
She walked away with $1,017,490, tellingGood Morning Americashe was "astonished."
At the time, Manchester said she was "working" on figuring out how to spend her winnings, but had "a lot of ideas" and "a lot of plans" in her family, which includes her husband and children, per the outlet.
As of the summer of 2021, Manchester has continued her role as an eighth grade geometry teacher at Takoma Park Middle School, where she began working in 1996, per the school'sMagnet Foundation.
Christina Derevjanik
Chris Willard/CBS ; GMA/YouTube
In September 2025, Derevjanik took home a cash prize of $1,035,155, the biggest in the show's history.
Following her win, the Stamford, Conn., native told production that she "never thought it would actually happen."
Derevjanik wrote in a blog post that the money is "completely life-changing," adding that she was "thrilled to have the ability to pay off my student loans and still have remaining funds to invest in my future home."
"It's just such a relief to know I have this new sense of financial freedom, all thanks to this incredible game show," she continued. "Looking ahead, I cannot wait to make memories from the amazing trips that I won and just let the reality of my new life sink in!"
In October 2025, she toldTV Insiderthat her "main priority" for the money was to invest in a home in the next couple of years, and noted she was looking forward to "enjoying the financial freedom that this now offers me."
According to herLinkedIn, Derevjanik continues to work for energy company Con Edison as a marketing manager, a role she began in May 2024.
Read the original article onPeople
