Chuck Woolery, Original Host Of ‘Wheel Of Fortune,’ Dies At 83

The first ever Wheel of Fortune game show host, Chuck Woolery, has been confirmed dead, likely due to a cardiac event. The cause of his death has yet to be revealed, but the family-issued statement noted that he struggled to breathe before dying in his Texas home. 

Chuck Woolery hosted Wheel of Fortune from 1975 to 1981 before former longtime host Pat Sajak took over. He also did other popular shows including Love Connections, which lasted 11 years, during which he also hosted Scrabble on NBC.

Chuck Woolery built his net worth from being a game show host

Per Celebrity Net Worth, Chuck Woolery was worth about $10 million at 83, thanks to his success in show business. His net worth is about seven times less than that of his Wheel of Fortune successor, Pat Sajak, and a wage dispute was the major reason Chuck Woolery left the game show in the ‘80s.

The 83-year-old’s net worth also dropped significantly due to multiple divorces, which he spent years settling. A source revealed that his net worth declined by 40% due to his marital splits; hence, he would have been wealthier. The late TV personality went from earning $65,000 a year on Wheel of Fortune to $1 million on Love Connection and Scrabble combined.

Wink Martindale pays tribute to the late TV Chuck Woolery game show host of ‘Wheel of Fortune’

TV and radio personality Wink Martindale paid tribute to Chuck Woolery on Fox News Live, noting that his passing left a huge void in his life and many others. Wink Martindale added that they were close friends, and he never knew anyone better than Chuck Woolery at hosting.

Wink Martindale ended his brief speech by assuring Chuck Woolery’s family of his support and prayers at this time. The late host is survived by his wife Kristen and his three children, Michael, Mellissa, and Sean. Fans joined Wink Martindale to pay tribute to Chuck Woolery in Fox’s comments, commending their long-lasting friendship while at it.