Wheel of Fortune Contestant Engages After Solving Proposal Puzzle

Wheel of Fortune competitor Rhea Mathew get the shock of a lifetime her boyfriend proposed during the taping of the show – thanks to the help of the hosts Ryan Seacrest a Vanna Gwyn.

“We celebrate milestones in honor of our 50th anniversary and there was actually one that happened earlier this week on set,” Seacrest, 50, said in a video shared on the Wheel of Fortune YouTube channel on Thursday, January 9. The title of the clip was, “WE’VE GOT A PROPOSAL ON SET!”

Mathew first appeared on the show in October 2023, and reached out to her boyfriend (now fiancé), Robin, for help with his proposal. White, 67, explained that the cast and crew of the show “created quite a ruckus” and made the former contestant think she was coming back to celebrate the show’s 50th anniversary.

When prompted, Mathew solved a Wheel of Fortune read a puzzle: “Will you marry me?”

She was smiling at the correct answer when Robin appeared from backstage and dropped to one knee. Mathew’s mouth suddenly dropped as she realized what was happening. Of course, she said yes.

“I think she was very surprised,” Seacrest said in response to the romantic moment. “Very sweet. I love that we can do that on this show.”

White also responded to the “heartwarming” moment. “You never know what’s going to happen here,” he added.

Maggie Sajak (Wheel of Fortune social reporter and daughter of the previous host Pat Sajak) posted the offer on her own social media account, too.

“Offer on set?! 2025 is off to a magical start!” she wrote, sharing some behind-the-scenes photos from the engagement. The text overlaid on the video offered more details to followers as well.

“Rhea think (sic) that she is here to redeem puzzles, but little does she know… she is here to get engaged,” the text read. Maggie, 30, spoke to Mathew before the offer to return to the show – and the contestant had no idea what was about to happen.

“Okay, she doesn’t seem to have a clue,” Maggie said. “This is so exciting.”

After the moment was over, Maggie congratulated the couple before asking if Mathew had “any idea” that the engagement was coming.

Maggie interviewed Mathew again after the proposal, and the newly engaged contestant declared that she had brought “my fiancé” to watch the Wheel of Fortune taping.

“The most elaborate proposal I could ever get – I can’t even imagine,” gushed Mathew. “I’m still in shock.”

Maggie added, “It was great to see.”