Connecticut Contestant Wins Largest Wheel of Fortune Prize

Christina Derevjanik of Stamford, Connecticut, became the biggest winner in Wheel of Fortune history by winning a total of $1,035,155, including the $1 million grand prize, on a recent episode. She is the fourth contestant to win the million-dollar prize since the grand prize wedge was introduced in 2008 and the first to do so since Ryan Seacrest became host. Derevjanik, who works in marketing for a utilities company, also won $35,155 in cash and prizes and trips to Montana and Tokyo before solving the final puzzle "PACK OF COYOTES" in the "Living Things" category. Host Ryan Seacrest expressed his excitement, calling her his first million-dollar winner and the biggest winner in the show's history, while cohost Vanna White offered congratulations. Derevjanik joked about possibly quitting her job after the win and said she had been trying to manifest such a moment, never expecting it to actually happen. This milestone win surpassed previous top winnings by contestants like Autumn Erhard and highlights the rarity of hitting the million-dollar prize, which requires landing on the special wedge and reaching the bonus round without bankruptcy.