Christina Derevjanik Makes History as Wheel of Fortune's First Million-Dollar Winner Since 2024
Christina Derevjanik from Stamford, Connecticut, made history on Wheel of Fortune by becoming the first contestant to win $1 million since Ryan Seacrest took over as host in 2024. During the episode that aired on September 30, Derevjanik landed the $1 million jackpot prize, making her the show's biggest winner ever. She is only the fourth person in the show's history to achieve this feat by correctly solving the puzzle during the Bonus Round.
The $1 million wedge was introduced to Wheel of Fortune in 2008, replacing the $100,000 top prize if a contestant lands on the wedge, solves the puzzle, and avoids hitting Bankrupt. Throughout the game, Derevjanik, a marketing manager at Con Edison, also won trips to Montana and Tokyo, accumulating $35,155 in cash and prizes before the Bonus Round. In the Bonus Round, she successfully guessed the puzzle under the category "Living Things" as "Pack of Coyotes."
The moment of truth came when host Ryan Seacrest opened the envelope to reveal the $1 million prize, leading to a celebratory moment with confetti and hugs from Vanna White. Seacrest congratulated Derevjanik on being the show's first million-dollar winner and expressed his emotional reaction to her achievement. Derevjanik, overwhelmed by the win, shared her disbelief and joy at the unexpected outcome.
In her free time, Derevjanik enjoys solving puzzles, watching Hallmark movies, hiking with her dog Hazel, and participating in running events. With a background in marketing for a decade, she holds a bachelor's degree in accounting from Siena University and a master's degree in mass communication from Sacred Heart University. Derevjanik's $1 million win on Wheel of Fortune adds her name to the list of previous female winners who achieved the same milestone on the show.
If you missed witnessing Derevjanik's historic win on the show, you can catch the episode on Peacock and Hulu the following day. Tune in to Wheel of Fortune on weekdays to see more exciting moments and potential big wins.