Ex-‘Wheel of Fortune’ Contestant Has Life-Changing Moment During Show

Wheel of Fortune helped a former contestant achieve a very special milestone amidst the show’s ongoing 50th anniversary celebrations.

In a YouTube clip posted on Jan. 9, hosts Ryan Seacrest and Vanna White revealed that they had helped Robin, the boyfriend of former contestant Rhea Mathew, propose to his longtime girlfriend. Mathew appeared on the show back in October 2023.

"We're celebrating milestones in honor of our 50th anniversary and actually had one happen earlier in the week right here on the set," Seacrest said in the video. "Robin, the boyfriend of former contestant Rhea, reached out for our help in asking her a big question," White went on to explain. Along with the show’s announcer, Jim Thornton, White and Seacrest "created a bit of a ruse, making Rhea think she was back to celebrate Wheel's 50th."

In the footage, Williams was asked to solve a puzzle—the answer to which was: “Will you marry me?” As Williams reacted with slightly incredulous astonishment, Robin walked onto the set and got down on one knee before his beloved. "Rhea Susan Mathew, will you marry me?" he asked, as she nodded in the affirmative.

"I think she was really surprised,” Seacrest mused of the sweet moment. "Very sweet. I love that we can do that on this show,” he said. "Yes, that was so heart-warming,” White agreed, adding, "You never know what's going to happen around here.” Wheel of Fortune also shared the happy memory on its official Instagram page, to which Rhea responded, "AHHH thank you thank you thank you for making this into a reality!!! ???????????? beyond even my wildest of dreams!!"