Famously known as the host of Wheel of Fortune, it comes as no surprise that Pat Sajak’s net worth in 2018 was approximately $65.0 million. Keep reading to know more about the game show host’s multi-million dollar fortune, including Pat Sajak’s salary.
How Much Is Pat Sajak Worth?
Game show host Pat Sajak’s salary is estimated to be approximately $15.0 million. Besides earning money from Wheel of Fortune, it seems like he put his money to good use by reportedly investing in the Golden Baseball League in 2005.
Pat Sajak’s houses include a property in Severna Park, Maryland, where he lives with his wife and his children, and another in Los Angeles, California.
Pat Sajak’s Childhood and Early Career
Born on October 26, 1946, in Chicago to Joyce Helen and Leonard Anthony Sajdak, a factory worker, Pat Sajak’s age is 72. His parents split, and his mother remarried Walter Backal.
In 1964, Sajak graduated from Farragut High School and went on to attend Columbia College Chicago. While studying, he worked as a desk clerk at Palmer House Hilton.
Sajak was also a DJ who played in uniform during the Vietnam War for American Forces Vietnam Network.
Start of an Amazing Career
Sajak’s amazing career began after winning a contest to be a guest teen DJ on WLS radio’s Dick Biondi Show.
While at Columbia College Chicago, his broadcasting instructor told him about a newsman position available at a local radio station. He jumped at the opportunity and went for an interview. Impressed by his candor and style, the station hired him to work from midnight to 6:00 a.m.
In 1968, Sajak decided to join the Armed Forces. As part of his deployment, he was sent to Vietnam, where he worked as a DJ on Armed Forces Radio. He also reportedly DJ’ed for a Murray, Kentucky radio station in the ‘70s for almost a year.
His career in television started as a DJ from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. at WSM. Back then, WSM-TV, which is now WSMV, gave him the chance to appear on screen.
He started as a voiceover artist for station identifications, and anchored five-minute newscasts at NBC’s Today Show. Later, he worked as a substitute weatherman where he met anchor Dan Miller.
In 1977, Los Angeles’ KNBC-TV hired Sajak as a full-time weatherman. But it wasn’t until a few more years that he hit TV screens.
His big break arrived in 1981, when Merv Griffin asked if he would be willing to host Wheel of Fortune. However, then-president and CEO of NBC was totally against the decision and rejected his hiring.
Sajak already had experience hosting two game show pilots—Press Your Luck and Puzzlers. The stars and his determination were in his favor because Sajak was eventually hired to host Wheel of Fortune.
From 1983 to 1989, he hosted NBC’s daytime and syndicated versions of Wheel of Fortune. Today, he still hosts the show.
Sajak also played a minor role as a newscaster in the comedy, Airplane II: The Sequel. He also appeared in the soap opera Days of Our Lives, as well as Rugrats and The King of Queens.
From 1984 to 1989, he made appearances on Super Password, and appeared as a guest on game shows like Dream House and Just Men!.
Sajak hosted a late-night talk show on CBS from 1989 to April 1990. He was also a regular substitute host for Regis Philbin on Live with Regis and Kelly. In 2003, he hosted Pat Sajak Weekend, which aired on Fox News.
According to sources, Sajak wrote many essays and documents for Human Events and served on the board of directors for the Claremont Institute.
As per his current contract with Wheel of Fortune, Pat Sajak is officially signed on to continue hosting the show until 2022. At that point, he’ll be 76 years old. It’s unclear whether he’ll be ready to retire and hand over the reins to someone else once his contract is up for renewal. Only time will tell.
Also Read: Details of Dr. Phil’s Net Worth
Pat Sajak’s TV Show Appearances
As mentioned, in addition to his hosting duties on Wheel of Fortune, Pat Sajak also tried his hand at acting and appeared in several television shows both as different characters and as himself.
Sajak appeared in several popular series throughout the late ‘80s and ‘90s, including Rugrats, Days of Our Lives, Live With Regis And Kelly, and many more.
These appearances not only helped increase his overall net worth, but they also cemented his pop culture legacy.
Pat Sajak’s Awards
Throughout his illustrious career as a television host on Wheel of Fortune, Pat Sajak has earned a lot of accolades.
Here’s a list of the awards he’s won over the years:
| Type of Award | Year |
| Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Game Show Host | 1993, 1997, 1998 |
| People’s Choice Award for Favourite Game Show Host (Wheel of Fortune) | 1987 |
As one of the most recognizable faces on television, it’s no wonder that Pat Sajak has won so many prestigious awards and continues to entertain audiences around the world.
Pat Sajak’s Houses
Pat Sajak owns two luxury properties. One is located in Los Angeles, California. This property is mostly used as a vacation home.
An aerial view of the property can be seen here.
The other property, which he lives in full time with his family, is located in Severna Park, Maryland.
Click here for an aerial view of that property.
Pat Sajak’s Wife and Kids
In 1979, Sajak walked down the aisle with Sherrill, but their marriage ended in divorce in 1986. The reason behind their divorce is not known.
After his divorce, Sajak found love in the arms of Lesly Brown, a photographer. They exchanged vows in 1989 in front of their family members and close friends.
The couple welcomed their first child, a son named Patrick Michael James Sajak on September 22, 1990. Their second kid, Maggie Marie Sajak, was born on January 5, 1995.
Maggie Sajak is a country singer who is also studying at Princeton University, and appeared in a photoshoot for Teen Vogue.
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