Vanna White, the iconic co-host of Wheel of Fortune, has been a beloved television personality for decades. While her professional life has been in the spotlight, her personal life, particularly her relationship with Donaldson John, has garnered significant interest. Donaldson John has been Vanna White’s partner since 2012, a romance that, according to White, “just works.” This article delves into the life of Donaldson John, exploring who he is and his relationship with the celebrated Vanna White.
White’s relationship with Donaldson John began roughly a decade after her amicable separation from George Santo Pietro in 2002. Santo Pietro and White were married in 1990 and famously shared the news of her pregnancy on Wheel of Fortune in 1992. Tragically, a week later, she announced a miscarriage. In a 2019 interview with PEOPLE, Vanna White recounted the devastating experience, stating, “I so wanted to be pregnant and have a baby, so then when I finally got pregnant, I wanted to tell the world immediately.” However, White also shared the “good news” that followed: she later had two healthy children with Santo Pietro, son Nicholas born in 1994, and daughter Giovanna, nicknamed “Gigi,” born in 1997.
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Beyond her romantic life, Vanna White is also known for her enduring friendship with Pat Sajak, her former Wheel of Fortune co-host of many years. Sajak retired in June 2024, and Ryan Seacrest has since joined White as co-host. In a lighter note from her past, White shared in a September 2024 interview with Andy Cohen that during her single years, Wheel of Fortune contestants would occasionally flirt with her, noting with a smile, “I can’t really talk to them during the show, but I’ve gotten a few looks.”
But who is the man who has captured Vanna White’s heart? Let’s explore the details of Donaldson John’s life and career.
Donaldson John: A California Native with a Passion for Building
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Donaldson John is a true Californian, having been born and raised in Santa Monica. From a young age, he was drawn to the construction industry. His career began with hands-on labor in the San Fernando Valley, starting as a lumber packer for $5 an hour on commercial sites. He progressed to carpentry, seeking work with framing crews across neighborhoods. Donaldson John’s dedication and hard work led him to become a head foreman, overseeing luxury home construction in the prestigious Hollywood Hills.
During this period, Donaldson John’s portfolio expanded to include projects for notable figures like Richard Dreyfuss, Dan Aykroyd, and Martin Mull. Driven by ambition and experience, he obtained his contractor’s license and began undertaking his own construction ventures, ultimately setting the stage for his entrepreneurial aspirations.
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Building Success: Donaldson John’s Construction Company
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Donaldson John is the owner and president of his own construction firm, JDC Construction + Development Group, based in California. Previously known as John R. Donaldson, Inc. until a name change in July 2014, JDC Construction reflects Donaldson John’s leadership and vision in the building industry.
According to the company website, JDC Construction “prides itself on its tradesman roots and the insight which years of hands on experience provides to property owners, architects and engineers in developing realistic plans for revitalization projects, as well as finding appropriate solutions to renovation challenges.” Established in 1987 in Southern California, JDC initially focused on “the restoration and rehabilitation of Multifamily properties” and has since expanded into “the development of new ground up multifamily projects.” Donaldson John has built his company “on the foundations of trust and professionalism,” navigating both prosperous and challenging economic climates.
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Restoration and Revitalization: A Core Value for Donaldson John
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Throughout his career, Donaldson John has been involved in significant restoration projects, particularly in the wake of natural disasters in California. A notable example is his work following the devastating 1994 Northridge earthquake in the San Fernando Valley. This experience was formative for Donaldson John, as his company website notes: “Working on these earthquake-damaged buildings was a great learning experience in understanding how to conduct major repairs and maintain the building’s architectural integrity.” At the time, Donaldson John collaborated with a partner on these projects before venturing out independently in 1998.
Donaldson John finds considerable satisfaction in breathing new life into older structures. His website emphasizes that he “finds great satisfaction in being able to help transform old dated buildings and bringing them new life,” adding value through both “construction expertise” and “his ability to work closely with architects and others in conceptualizing the creative aspects of the redevelopment.”
A Decade of Romance: Vanna White and Donaldson John’s Relationship
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The romance between Vanna White and Donaldson John began in 2012, a decade after her split from Santo Pietro. They were introduced at a barbecue hosted by a mutual friend. Vanna White recounted her first impression of Donaldson John to PEOPLE, saying with a laugh, “I remember looking at him and thinking, ‘He’s really cute.'” They connected that evening and have been together ever since.
Vanna White describes their relationship as effortless and harmonious: “It just works,” she explained. “He lets me be me, I let him be him. There is no drama.” Since becoming a couple, Donaldson John and Vanna White have made numerous public appearances together, including red carpet events and charity galas such as the Cyrsalis Butterfly Ball, the Brent Shapiro Foundation For Alcohol and Drug Prevention fundraiser, and the annual Race to Erase MS Gala.
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Donaldson John: Part of Vanna White’s Family
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Donaldson John isn’t just Vanna White’s partner; he is also embraced as part of her family. Vanna White frequently expresses her affection for Donaldson John on social media, often sharing Instagram posts dedicated to him and her children.
In December 2024, Vanna White shared a holiday photo on Instagram featuring Gigi, Donaldson John, and Nikko, accompanied by the caption “Happy Holidays.” These public displays of affection underscore the strong bond and family dynamic that Donaldson John shares with Vanna White and her children.
In conclusion, Donaldson John is more than just Vanna White’s boyfriend; he is a successful businessman, a dedicated builder, and a cherished partner and family member. His long-lasting relationship with Vanna White is a testament to their compatible personalities and mutual respect, proving that their connection “just works.”
