On September 30, 2025, Christina Derevjanik made herself the undisputed queen of the big spin. The 34-year-old became the biggest winner in Wheel of Fortune history after taking home a whopping $1,035,155 with her big win. It’s been more than a decade since anyone’s taken home a 7-figure prize, and Christina’s just the fourth in the show’s decades-long history to ever win $1,000,000, and it was a huge moment for everyone involved. Christina chose living things for the bonus round. The show gave her the standard R, S, T, L, N, and E, and she added M, C, F, and A. As Vanna White pressed the tiles, it was clear that Christina felt confident. The puzzle read _AC _F _C_ _ _ TES. As soon as the countdown started, she yelled, “Pack of Coyotes,” and Ryan told her she had won $1 million.
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Keeping Her “Wheel Of Fortune” Millionaire Status A Secret Was Tough
Christina told TV Insider she played Wheel of Fortune in May and couldn’t tell anyone she was a millionaire until it aired on TV.
“I mean, four months of keeping that to myself, such a big event in my life, to kind of hide that from everyone for so long was really difficult. But now that it’s out there and everyone’s able to celebrate alongside me,” she said. “It’s just such a fun experience, and I’m really just trying to take it all in right now, and just live in the moment.”
Christina hosted a watch party for the big reveal.
“There were probably about 30 or so of my friends and family there. It was just so fun. I loved seeing their reactions. Everyone was just shocked,” she added.
Wheel of Fortune fans loved watching Christina become a millionaire.
“Christina has shocked the world! The first Million Dollar Winner in the Ryan Seacrest Era, and the biggest winner in Wheel of Fortune history! Congratulations, Christina,” a fan wrote.
“Congratulations for breaking the 11-year drought Christina!! The first Million Dollar winner in the Ryan era!! How awesome is that?!” Another fan agreed.
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