> At a Glance
> – Only four contestants have won the $1 million grand prize since the wedge debuted in 2008
> – Michelle Loewenstein claimed the first million in 2008, followed by wins in 2013, 2014, and 2025
> – Christina Derevjanik holds the record with $1,035,155
> – Why it matters: The odds are steep-surviving bankruptcy, solving puzzles, and landing the million-dollar wedge in the Bonus Round
Wheel of Fortune’s million-dollar wedge has turned just four ordinary players into instant millionaires since its 2008 debut. Here’s how they did it-and where life took them afterward.
The Million-Dollar Club
Landing the million-dollar wedge is only step one. Contestants must solve the puzzle, avoid bankruptcy, and conquer the Bonus Round. Since 2008, only these four have cleared every hurdle:
- Michelle Loewenstein (2008) – $1,026,800
- Autumn Erhard (2013) – $1,030,340
- Sarah Manchester (2014) – $1,017,490
- Christina Derevjanik (2025) – $1,035,155
Where They Are Now
**Michelle Loewenstein used her 2008 winnings as “an incredible wedding present,” telling press she and her new husband would buy a house and help family. She has since stayed out of the public eye.
Autumn Erhard said the 2013 prize removed wedding-planning stress and funded future travel. Per LinkedIn, she left her sales job in 2014 and is now married.
Sarah Manchester, an eighth-grade math teacher since 1996, kept teaching at Takoma Park Middle School after her 2014 win. She told Good Morning America she had “a lot of plans” for the money for her husband and children.
Christina Derevjanik, the latest millionaire, called her 2025 haul “completely life-changing.” She plans to pay off student loans, invest in a home, and keep her marketing-manager role at Con Edison.
Key Takeaways
- The million-dollar wedge has been winnable for 17 seasons; only four have succeeded
- Combined, the four winners took home $4.1 million
- All four winners used the money for life milestones: weddings, homes, family, and debt freedom
The million-dollar dream remains elusive for most, but for these four, a single spin changed everything.
