'Wheel of Fortune' Hosts Pat Sajak and Vanna White's Friendship in Photos

The two have hosted the hit game show together since the 1980s

After 40 years as part of Wheel of Fortune's dynamic duo, Pat Sajak announced his retirement in June 2023. Sajak, who turns 77 on Oct. 26, 2023, has hosted the game show alongside his partner-in-crime, Vanna White, since the 1980s, so his departure truly marks the end of an era.

In 2022, White, 66, shared that she wasn’t ready to think about putting Wheel of Fortune in the rearview, saying she and her longterm cohost were “like a brother and sister team.”

"I think when [series creator] Merv Griffin chose both of us ... years ago, he saw something between us — a brother/sister-type relationship," she told PEOPLE. "He saw that we would be able to get along, I think. And we do. We are like a brother and sister team."

As Sajak celebrates his 77th birthday — and prepares to leave the small screen once Ryan Seacrest steps into his shoes — look back on some of his best throwback photos with White.

Kicking It Off

Pat Sajak and Vanna White first joined forces on Wheel of Fortune back in the 1980s — here, the two are pictured at the start of their tenure in 1982.

Partners in Crime

When asked about retiring last year, White said she couldn't imagine the game show in the pair's rearview.

"I don't even want to think about that. I mean, we're a team," she said of the duo pictured here in 1986. "That's depressing. I don't even want to think about it."

Cohost Smiles

Here, the two pose together as White is rocks voluminous hair and a shimmery dress adorned with feathers.

Gameshow Pros

After getting some seasons under their belts, the duo posed for this Wheel of Fortune season 10 promotional shot in the 1990s.

Out of Office

The two took a break from the colorful wheel to attend the National Association of Program Television Executives Convention in January 1993.

"Like Barbie and Ken"

Throughout the years, Sajak and White have created quite a special relationship. Last year, while sharing she had "no idea" if the show would carry on without them one day, White said: "I can't imagine. Everybody relates Wheel of Fortune to Pat and Vanna. We're like Ken and Barbie, you know? We've been in everybody's homes for 40 years, so it would be weird having somebody else turn my letters."

Showing Support

White was by Sajak's side in 1994 when he was given a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Here, the duo poses alongside Sajak's wife, Lesly Brown, at the ceremony.

All Smiles

The pair were in good spirits while attending the National Association of Television Program Executives Convention in January 1996 in Las Vegas.

Taking the Stage

In 2003, the duo appeared together at the 30th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards at Radio City Music Hall in New York City.

Big Hug

When it was White's turn to receive her own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2006, Sajak was there for this sweet hug.

Let Them Eat Cake!

The two celebrated the show's 25th anniversary in 2007 with a party hosted by PEOPLE — featuring this massive cake — at Radio City Music Hall in New York City.

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