Connecticut Woman Wins Record $1,035,155 on Wheel of Fortune
In a surprising turn of events, a woman from Connecticut has achieved a major milestone, winning a staggering $1,035,155 on Wheel of Fortune. Interestingly, she had been keeping her victory a secret from her boyfriend for the past four months.
Christina Derevjanick, a 34-year-old marketing manager, filmed her appearance on the show back in May, promising to keep the outcome under wraps until it aired this week.
“He had no idea,” she told a news outlet, sharing that they had only recently begun dating when she clinched the win.
During the episode, which aired on a Tuesday night, Derevjanick hosted a viewing party in Stamford while her boyfriend watched from Boston. He was eager to see her on screen but certainly didn’t anticipate the significant financial turn in their relationship.
“After the show, he called me, and I was in tears. He’s genuinely thrilled for me,” she shared, reflecting on her emotional experience.
Derevjanick described the past few months as a dream come true, filled with both love and financial success. In addition to her winnings, she also secured trips to Montana and Tokyo, planning to take her boyfriend on at least one of those adventures.
She noted that she had to wait until the show aired to disclose her winnings to family and friends, though she admitted her parents had sensed something was up.
After taxes, Derevjanick stands to take home approximately $660,000. She has the choice of receiving her winnings in installments or as a lump sum, favoring the latter option to quickly pay off her student loans and purchase her first home.
“I honestly didn’t think I could ever afford a house, so this is really life-changing,” she expressed with enthusiasm. “I’m excited about the future now, having this kind of financial freedom.”
Interestingly, instead of splurging on luxury items, she plans to use some of her money to pamper her dog, Hazel. “I think I have to spoil Hazel a bit,” she laughed. “She’ll be a lucky little chocolate lab this year.”
Despite her newfound wealth, Derevjanick remains committed to her job. She still commutes to her office in Manhattan and hasn’t quit, mentioning, “My boss is really happy. I’m excited that she could share in this experience with me.”
A longtime fan of Wheel of Fortune, she reminisced about playing a handheld version of the game as a kid in the ’90s.
Her time on the set was everything she hoped for, described as “surreal.” She praised the show’s team, including hosts Ryan Seacrest and Vanna White, for their warm support during her moment on stage.
Derevjanik’s remarkable win included a $1 million wedge early in her game, with a final total of $35,155 in cash, plus the exciting trips. She tackled the bonus round with the phrase “coyote pack” in the “living thing” category, which led her to the million-dollar envelope.
Since the show’s 2008 franchise expansion, only four other contestants have taken home over a million dollars, with previous winners including Michel Lowenstein and Fall Elhard.
