After more than four decades on Wheel of Fortune, Vanna White still finds new ways to connect with her audience. The iconic hostess recently shared never-before-seen photos and a video from her childhood during an emotional trip back to her hometown — and fans loved the glimpse into her past.
Childhood footage debuted during a special hometown tribute
The throwback content premiered on the May 7 episode of Wheel of Fortune, just days after White returned to North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, for a series of on-air segments. After co-host Ryan Seacrest introduced the week’s celebration of her roots, White surprised him — and viewers — with a series of personal childhood images.
The first was a black-and-white family portrait from 1961. In the photo, a young Vanna sits in her father's lap, dressed in a lace-trimmed outfit, while her brother Chip rests on her mother Joan's. The second was a silent video clip, likely from an Easter celebration, showing little Vanna in a lavender dress picking an egg from a tree and handing it to her mother.
“Isn’t it funny that I’m still wearing those pretty dresses?” White said, pointing out that the color — purple — had stuck around in her wardrobe choice, even as a child.
Return to North Myrtle Beach sparked a wave of nostalgia
Earlier in the week, White took viewers on a guided tour of her childhood haunts. She visited her old home, where she even met the current resident — who coincidentally shares her last name. She stopped by her elementary school and made a sweet detour to Painter’s Ice Cream, a local shop where she used to go after piano lessons. The owners even honored her with a signature dessert: the Vanna Banana Split.
“No matter where life takes me, this will always be home,” White said, her voice carrying the weight of genuine reflection. She admitted she hadn’t been inside her childhood home in “a very long time,” but when she did, the memories came flooding back.
Fans responded with affection and admiration
The Wheel of Fortune Instagram account posted the childhood photos and video along with the clip from the show. The comment section quickly filled with fans expressing their love for Vanna — and their awe at how little she seems to have changed over the years.
“Cute little girl, in a cute little lavender dress,” one fan wrote. Another echoed the sentiment: “Before I even got to the last slide, I said to myself ‘aww even then Vanna was wearing cute little dresses’ and then she said it herself in the video lol. So cute.”
One user even compared the footage to something out of Alice in Wonderland, calling it “magical in the most innocent way.” Even Jeopardy! chimed in with a simple, heartfelt “Aaawwww.”
Vanna White’s legacy continues beyond the letters
White has been a staple of American television since she first appeared on Wheel of Fortune in 1982. Through countless episodes, changes, and cultural shifts, she’s remained a constant presence — turning letters, smiling, and never stealing the spotlight. But moments like this week’s reveal show that she has a story of her own, one that resonates just as strongly as her on-screen persona.
With Pat Sajak’s recent departure and Ryan Seacrest now in the host’s chair, White remains the link to the show’s long history. And as she demonstrated last week, she’s not just a part of the show’s past — she’s still creating memorable moments.