Who Was Vanna White Married To Before John Donaldson? Why She Divorced Her Ex-Husband?

Vanna White, the longtime co-host of Wheel of Fortune, officially announced her marriage to her partner of over a decade, John Donaldson, on January 21, 2026. The couple wed in a private ceremony after dating for 14 years. Vanna shared the news on social media, with a carousel of photos from their wedding day, including one showing John Donaldson carrying her. Notably, this is Vanna White's second marriage; she was previously married to George Santo Pietro. As her second marriage makes it to the headlines, here's all about her first husband and children.

Who is Vanna White's ex-husband?

Before tying the knot with John Donaldson, Vanna White was married to George Santo Pietro. Vanna might have a close connection to real estate, as both her first and second husbands are in the same profession. George Santo Pietro was previously a restaurateur before transitioning to real estate development. In the 1980s and 90s, he was a prominent figure in the Los Angeles dining scene. He owned several celebrity-frequented restaurants, including Santopietro's and the high-end sushi spot, Sushi-Ko. George also does occasional filmmaking.

George has worked in various production roles in the film and television industry, including on projects such as Interstellar and True Blood. Besides his professional endeavours, little is known about him, as he preferred to stay out of the spotlight. Even while married to a popular host, George Santo Pietro maintained a private life. Following their divorce, the two of them remained committed to co-parenting.

How did Vanna White and George Santo Pietro's relationship start?

Vanna White and George Santo Pietro met through mutual friends. They reportedly "hit it off" quickly and began dating shortly after their initial introduction. They met sometime between 1986, following the tragic death of Vanna's fiancé, John Gibson. In her emotionally shaken state, when she least expected love to knock at her door again, George came and brought happiness back into her life.

Vanna White and George Santo Pietro's marriage and childbirth

After dating for a few years, Vanna White and George Santo Pietro married on December 31, 1990, in a private ceremony in Aspen. They welcomed their first child, a son named Nicholas 'Nikko' Santo Pietro, on June 10, 1994. He is currently a real estate agent based in Los Angeles. Before Nikko's birth, Vanna White announced her pregnancy on a 1992 episode of Wheel of Fortune. Tragically, she suffered a miscarriage shortly after the episode aired. She later spoke about the devastation of losing the baby after such a public announcement, noting that being able to eventually have two healthy children was a source of healing.

Speaking of Vanna's second baby, it was a daughter this time, and she and her ex-husband couldn't be happier. The former spouses welcomed Giovanna 'Gigi' Santo Pietro on July 1, 1997. Gigi is three years younger than her brother, Nikko, and she is 28 years old as of January 2026. Professionally, she is a tattoo artist and photography graduate.

When did Vanna White and George Santo Pietro get divorced, and why?

Vanna White and George Santo Pietro separated in November 2001, and she officially filed for divorce on May 15, 2002. The divorce was finalised in November 2002 after 12 years of marriage. Not much is known about the actual cause of the split. The legal reason cited in the divorce petition filed in the Superior Court of Los Angeles was irreconcilable differences. The split was described by representatives as a mutual and "amicable" decision, with the pair intending to remain good friends and co-parents to their two children, Nicholas and Giovanna.

Vanna White announced a surprise second marriage 23 years after divorce from first husband

Vanna White shared the news of her second marriage to John Donaldson on Instagram, with a sweet caption that echoed her sentiments about finding the man who made her want to get hitched again. From meeting at a barbecue party hosted by Vanna in 2012 and talking all night to over a decade of togetherness and eventual marriage, the couple has come a long way. Regarding John Donaldson's work, he is a real estate developer and a construction professional. His wife described him as the "male version" of herself, and as she finally broke the news of their secret marriage, with a post whose caption read:

"Surprise! We got married! John and I have been in love for more than a decade, and a little while back, we wanted to make it official in a private ceremony. We're excited to share this new joyful chapter in our lives with all of you! Love, Vanna and John."

What are your thoughts on Vanna White giving marriage a second shot after the first one failed? Let us know.

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