Pat Sajak has officially said goodbye to Wheel of Fortune, and while his days as host have come to an end, his friendship with Vanna White is far from over. In fact, Sajak made sure to assure fans they’d still be seeing “plenty of each other” in the future.

Before stepping away from the iconic game show he hosted for over four decades, Sajak took time to reflect on his career, the people who made it special, and, most importantly, his longtime co-host and dear friend, Vanna White.

During his final episode on Friday, June 7, the 77-year-old TV legend delivered a heartfelt farewell. He expressed gratitude to his family, the dedicated cast and crew of Wheel of Fortune, and the millions of loyal viewers who tuned in night after night. But his most emotional thanks went directly to White, his right-hand partner since 1982.

Speaking warmly of their time together, Sajak referred to White as his “professional other half.” He said, “Dear Vanna, my professional other half… She is not herself, yet she takes the show extremely seriously, much like me.” He reflected on how fortunate he was that White had always been grounded and kind. “If they had brought in someone who was full of themselves or acting like a prima donna,” he mused, “I can’t even begin to imagine what these 40 years may have been like.”

Sajak praised White’s humility and sincerity, qualities that have stayed consistent both on and off-screen. Despite the many changes they’ve experienced in their personal lives over the years, Sajak said, “We’ve always been there for each other.” He acknowledged the strong friendship they built, which extended far beyond their shared television duties.

He also made a point to thank White for her emotional tribute during the previous episode. “I want to thank her for her lovely goodbye on yesterday’s show,” he said, referencing her heartfelt message. Although he admitted he would miss their daily work together, he found comfort in knowing they lived just five miles apart. “Even though I’ll miss working with her a lot,” Sajak said, “I find comfort in the idea that we’ll still see each other frequently.”

As for White’s future, Sajak reassured fans, “I know you’re all happy that she’ll be back next season. She’s a very special woman.”

Sajak’s retirement didn’t come as a surprise to many fans. In June 2023, he had already announced his plans to step down from the show after hosting since 1981. At the time, he posted on X (formerly Twitter), “Well, the time has come. I’ve decided that I won’t be returning for our 41st season, which starts in September.” He promised he would have more to say about the experience in the months ahead and joked about how the announcement would give clickbait websites something to talk about.

Shortly after Sajak’s announcement, it was revealed that Ryan Seacrest would be stepping into his role as host. Meanwhile, Vanna White confirmed she would remain on the show, continuing her role as co-host and letter-turner.

On June 6, a day before Sajak’s final show, White shared a touching tribute in a commemorative video reflecting on their 40-year journey together. In the video, White struggled to hold back tears as she addressed Sajak directly.

“I don’t know how to put into words what these past 40 years have meant to me, but I’m going to try,” White said. “It’s hard to believe how 8,000 episodes flew by. I was so green when I started, but you, Pat, gave me such confidence and security. You truly are the reason I am who I am.”

White continued, expressing how difficult it was to imagine the show without him. “I know you’ll still be close by as this chapter of our lives comes to an end,” she said. “You’re like a brother to me, and I will always adore you as a true lifelong friend.” She ended her message with a heartfelt declaration: “Pat, you have my undying affection.”

For now, Wheel of Fortune continues to air on weekdays in syndication. Fans can check their local listings to watch the show and catch White as she embarks on a new chapter with Seacrest at the helm.

Although Pat Sajak’s time as host has ended, his legacy on Wheel of Fortune—and his unbreakable bond with Vanna White—will remain a treasured part of television history.