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Wheel of Fortune Contestant Wins Record-Breaking $1 Million Prize
1 Oct
Summary
- Connecticut woman wins $1,035,155 on Wheel of Fortune
- First million-dollar winner since Ryan Seacrest became host
- Contestant says she was "trying to manifest" the big win
On September 30th, 2025, Wheel of Fortune contestant Christina Derevjanik from Stamford, Connecticut made history by winning the show's largest prize ever. Derevjanik took home a staggering $1,035,155 in cash and prizes, becoming the fourth player in the game show's 43-year history to win the million-dollar grand prize.
Derevjanik's record-breaking victory came under the new hosting tenure of Ryan Seacrest, who took over the show in 2024. Seacrest was visibly emotional as he revealed Derevjanik as the first million-dollar winner since he joined the program. Vanna White, the show's longtime co-host, also expressed her joy, exclaiming "I'm so happy for you!" to the Connecticut woman.
After her big win, Derevjanik confessed that she had been actively "trying to manifest" the life-changing prize. Her journey to the million-dollar prize included winning trips to Montana and Tokyo, as well as accumulating $35,155 in cash and additional prizes. In the final bonus round, Derevjanik successfully solved the puzzle "PACK OF COYOTES" to clinch the record-breaking jackpot.
