Pat Sajak Reveals What He's Most Looking Forward to After Retiring as 'Wheel of Fortune' Host
As fans say goodbye to Pat Sajak on Wheel of Fortune, he's getting personal about what his plans are for the future.
In June 2023, Pat shocked longtime viewers when he announced his plan to retire from hosting Wheel of Fortune after 41 years on the air. Ahead of his final episode airing on June 7, he spoke to daughter Maggie Sajak for Good Morning America, reflecting on his tenure and how grateful he is to have had an incredible run hosting the hit game show.
"This was announced a long time ago, almost a year ago," he said in the interview that aired on June 3 and was uploaded to YouTube. "It's been wistful and all that, but I'm enjoying it and taking it all in."
That wasn't all Pat had to say about his long-running stint on TV. As he acknowledged the huge following Wheel of Fortune has had over the years, he shared how proud he was to be associated with the show's success. What's more, he expressed how lucky he felt to have been part of the phenomenon and for his special part in people's homes every night.
"Somewhere along the line, we became more than a popular show," he added to Maggie. "We became part of the popular culture, and more importantly, we became part of people's lives. That's been awfully gratifying... You've heard me say this dozens of time, 'Id rather leave a couple of years too early than a couple of years too late.' It's been a great 40 years and I'm looking forward to whatever's ahead."
So, now that Pat is stepping away from hosting Wheel of Fortune, what's next? While he'll continue to be a consultant as Ryan Seacrest steps into his role as host in the next few months, he expressed his desire for a slower paced life. But as he teased Maggie, he's also looking to expand his family in a unique way.
"I'm perfectly happy if it just means that I'll continue with my crossword puzzles and play with grandchildren," he pointedly told his daughter. "Hint hint hint, no pressure."
While it's unclear whether that aspect of life will come to fruition soon (Maggie keeps her love life private, and the same goes for her brother Patrick, whom Pat shares with wife Lesly Brown), fans will definitely miss seeing Pat every day on Wheel of Fortune.
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