Vanna White

White in 2009, photo by Prphotos.com

Birth Name: Vanna Marie Rosich

Place of Birth: North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, U.S.

Date of Birth: February 18, 1957

Ethnicity:
*biological father – Puerto Rican [Spanish, possibly other]
*mother – publicly unknown

Vanna White is an American television personality and film actress. She is known for her work on the game show Wheel of Fortune.

Vanna is the daughter of Miguel Angel (García) Rosich and Joan Marie (Nichols) White. Miguel left the family when Vanna was still a child. Vanna was eventually adopted by her stepfather, Herbert Stackley White, Jr. She has two children with her former husband, restaurant owner George Santo Pietro.

Vanna’s biological father was born in Ponce, Puerto Rico, with Spanish ancestry. Vanna’s mother is from the continental United States. Vanna is often described as also having Croatian, English, Italian, German, and Greek ancestry. It is not clear if this is accurate. It appears that Vanna’s mother was adopted.

Vanna is often described as the niece of actor Christopher George, who was of Greek descent. Vanna has clarified the matter, saying, “he wasn’t a blood brother [of my mother], but my mother grew up with his family. Years later in L.A., he and his wife took me under their wing.”

Vanna’s biological paternal grandfather was Carlos Miguel Benigne/Benigno Tomás Rosich y Pasarell (the son of José Rosich y Alomar and Eudoxia Pasarell y Torres). Carlos was born in Ponce, Puerto Rico. José was born in Puerto Rico, to Spanish parents.

Vanna’s biological paternal grandmother was named Gloria Maria García.

One of Vanna’s ancestors may have had the surname Barnes and been one of the first mayors of Ponce, Puerto Rico.

Sources: Genealogy of Vanna White –

Genealogy of Vanna’s father –

Vanna’s father on the 1940 U.S. Census – 

Birth record of Vanna’s paternal grandfather, Carlos Miguel Benigne/Benigno Tomás Rosich y Pasarell – 

Vanna’s paternal grandfather, Carlos Miguel Benigne/Benigno Tomás Rosich y Pasarell, on the 1910 U.S. Census –
Carlos Miguel Benigne/Benigno Tomás Rosich y Pasarell on the 1920 U.S. Census –
Carlos Miguel Benigne/Benigno Tomás Rosich y Pasarell on the 1930 U.S. Census –

Vanna’s mother on the 1940 U.S. Census –