George Santo Pietro, Vanna White’s husband, is a successful businessman and restaurateur. Although he and White divorced many years ago, he remains friends with her and has a close relationship with their two children. Find out more about Santo Pietro.
Vanna White co-hosted the game show “Wheel of Fortune” for many years with renowned TV personality Pat Sajak. The blonde beauty worked as a professional model before appearing on the popular show.
White fell in love with actor John Gibson, with whom she eventually got engaged. Their relationship, however, ended when the actor died tragically. Despite her grief, she later met another man she hoped to spend the rest of her life with.
George Santo Pietro, Vanna White’s husband pictured in 1983. | Source: Getty Images
Who Is George Santo Pietro, Vanna White’s Ex-husband?
Following Gibson’s untimely death in 1986, the White found a second chance at love with George Santo Pietro and dated. She met her future husband through a mutual friend. A source noted of Santo Pietro:
“George was wealthy, had distinguished good looks, and was quite the charmer.”
Four years later, in 1990, she married Santro Pietro, a real estate developer who had previously worked as a film director. They tied the knot in Aspen, Colorado, on New Year’s Eve.
Vanna White and George Santo Pietro attend the Ringo Starr and His All-Starr Band concert on September 4, 1989, in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images
Santro Pietro previously directed numerous successful TV series, including “Alias,” “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” “Pushing Daisies,” “The Big Bang Theory,” and “Two and a Half Men.”
He also contributed to the films “Muppets Most Wanted” and “Think Like a Man.” Santo Pietro not only founded businesses in real estate and film, but he was also a restaurateur with a popular Italian restaurant in Bel-Air, California.
Vanna White and George Santo Pietro are pictured together at an unnamed event in January 1994. | Source: Getty Images
In the late 1980s, Santopietro’s restaurant became a popular gathering spot for Hollywood A-listers. The location was once considered a “secret hangout” for celebrities. He also ran a Japanese restaurant, Shi-Ko.
Additionally, he is a pilot. Together with White, they operated a successful private jet charter business. His marriage to White, rather than his stellar accomplishments, catapulted him to stardom.
Vanna White and George Santo Pietro at the 2001 Millennium New Year’s Eve Bash on December 31, 2000, in Beverly Hills, California. | Source: Getty Images
Unfortunately, White and Santo Pietro divorced in 2002 after 12 years of marriage. None of the former pair addressed their breakup, but they agreed to keep their relationship amicable for their children. Santo Pietro has since maintained a low-key profile.
White has returned to the dating scene following her divorce from Santo Pietro.
Vanna White and George Santo Pietro attend the Carousel of Hope in 1998 in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images
Do George Santo Pietro and Vanna White Have Kids Together?
In 1992, White revealed she was expecting by spelling out a phrase in “Wheel of Fortune,” which read, “Vanna’s pregnant.” Unfortunately, she suffered a miscarriage shortly after sharing the news.
The former model eventually became pregnant and gave birth to two children with Santo Pietro: son Nicholas and daughter Giovanna. Their son was born in 1994, and their daughter in 1997.
Nicholas finished a degree in agriculture from Oregon State University. According to his LinkedIn profile, he works on the research and development of a farm in Los Angeles. He previously worked part-time at a food store in Missouri.
On the other hand, Giovanna earned her photography degree from the Tisch School of the Arts at New York University in 2020. She then moved to Huntington Beach, California, where she is currently working as an apprentice at a tattoo Studio.
Is Vanna White Dating Anyone Now?
White has returned to the dating scene following her divorce from Santo Pietro. She dated and was formerly engaged to businessman Michale Kaye for two years before their breakup in 2006. She is now dating John Donaldson.
Donaldson, a successful contractor, founded JDC Construction + Development Group, which focused on residential construction and renovations. His firm has projects in both the southern and northern parts of California.
Vanna White and John Donaldson at the 16th annual Chrysalis Butterfly Ball on June 3, 2017, in Brentwood, California. | Source: Getty Images
The couple met in 2012 through mutual friends. White has not yet married, but she appears happy with her new beau. She stated they are not rushing to take their relationship to the next level.
She said that she “felt married” to Donaldson already. She continued that she saw no reason to change anything since everything looked perfectly alright for her.