Watch the win
A contestant on Wheel of Fortune has made history by winning the largest cash prize in the game show’s history. Christina Derevjanik, a 2012 graduate of Siena University, took home an incredible $1,035,155 in cash and prizes after a streak of successful spins and puzzle solves. Her winnings included trips to Montana and Japan before she advanced to the bonus round.
The history-making moment came when Derevjanik correctly solved the bonus puzzle in the “Living Things” category, opening the envelope containing the $1 million grand prize. She became just the fifth contestant to cross the million-dollar threshold since the wedge was introduced in 2008.
Following her win, Derevjanik shared that she plans to use the life-changing sum to pay off student loans and purchase a home.
While Wheel of Fortune has produced many memorable winners over the years, Derevjanik’s victory stands out not only for the record-breaking total, but also for its rarity — with only a handful of contestants achieving the same milestone since the million-dollar wedge was created 17 years ago.
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