A Life-Changing Secret: The Woman Who Kept Her “Wheel of Fortune” Fortune Hidden

Christina Derevjanik, a 34-year-old marketing manager from Connecticut, managed to keep an extraordinary secret from her new boyfriend for four months – she had won over a million dollars on “Wheel of Fortune.” After filming her historic appearance in May, Derevjanik was sworn to secrecy until the episode aired this week, revealing her record-breaking $1,035,155 win. The timing couldn’t have been more interesting – she had only started dating her boyfriend a few weeks before her victory. On the night the episode finally aired, Derevjanik hosted a viewing party in Stamford, while her unsuspecting boyfriend watched from Boston. “He called me after the show aired and was just so excited,” she shared with The Post, clearly relieved to finally share her news. “He is absolutely thrilled for me.” The new relationship, combined with her newfound wealth and additional prizes of trips to Montana and Tokyo, has made for what she describes as “an excellent few months,” and she plans to include her new partner on at least one of these adventures.

Keeping such life-changing news from loved ones wasn’t easy. Though her parents “definitely saw a little pep in my step,” Derevjanik managed to maintain the secret until the broadcast. After taxes, she expects to take home about $660,000 – a sum that will dramatically alter her financial future. Rather than accepting installment payments, Derevjanik is leaning toward taking a lump sum to immediately tackle her student loans and achieve a major milestone: purchasing her first home. “I don’t know when I would’ve been able to afford a home, so these winnings are just completely life-changing for me,” she explained enthusiastically. “I’m really excited about what the future holds now that I have this financial freedom.” Despite her windfall, Derevjanik remains grounded in her approach to spending, focusing on practical financial decisions rather than luxury splurges – with one adorable exception. “I think I’m going to have to spoil my dog, Hazel,” she laughed. “She’s going to be a lucky little chocolate lab over the next year.”

What makes Derevjanik’s story even more special is that her boss accompanied her to Los Angeles for the taping of the show, witnessing the extraordinary win firsthand. Though she joked on camera about submitting her two weeks’ notice after receiving the prize, Derevjanik quickly clarified to The Post that she has no intention of leaving her job. “I’m not quitting the job,” she confirmed. “My boss is very happy. I will be continuing to work for her, and I was just so excited that she was able to be part of the experience.” This level-headed approach to her sudden wealth reflects a maturity that will likely serve her well as she navigates this significant life change. Her connection to the show runs deep – she’s been a fan since childhood, even playing with a “Wheel of Fortune” handheld game as a kid in the 1990s, making her victory all the more meaningful.

The experience of being on the iconic game show exceeded Derevjanik’s expectations. She described her time on set as “surreal” but incredibly positive, praising the show’s staff and hosts Ryan Seacrest and Vanna White. “Everyone who works on the show, and Ryan and Vanna, were just such a pleasure,” she enthused. “They were so wonderful, and they really shared in my excitement, so it was just such a great experience.” Her path to the million-dollar win unfolded dramatically during the broadcast. Derevjanik secured the coveted “One Million Dollars” wedge early in the show and accumulated $35,155 in cash along with her international trips before advancing to the bonus round. Facing the “Living Things” category, she correctly solved the puzzle with the phrase “PACK OF COYOTES,” leading to the moment when Seacrest revealed the $1 million envelope and her place in the show’s history.

Derevjanik’s achievement puts her in an extremely exclusive club. Since the million-dollar wedge was introduced to “Wheel of Fortune” in 2008, only four other contestants have ever won more than $1 million. Michelle Loewenstein became the first in October 2008, winning $1.026 million. She was followed by Autumn Erhard in 2013 with $1.03 million and Sarah Manchester in 2014, who won $1.017 million. The only other person to join this elite group was celebrity contestant Melissa Joan Hart, who won $1 million in 2021 on “Celebrity Wheel of Fortune.” Derevjanik’s win of $1,035,155 now stands as the highest regular-season prize in the show’s long history, making her secret all the more impressive to have kept.

Throughout this extraordinary experience, what stands out about Derevjanik is her grounded perspective and practical approach to her windfall. Rather than allowing the money to fundamentally change her identity or work ethic, she’s focused on using it to secure her future while maintaining the life she’s built. The timing of this financial blessing alongside a new relationship offers her a fresh start on multiple fronts. As she looks ahead to paying off student loans, purchasing her first home, taking dream vacations, and spoiling her chocolate lab Hazel, Derevjanik embodies the ideal game show winner – someone whose life is enhanced rather than derailed by sudden fortune. Her ability to keep such monumental news private for four months also speaks volumes about her character, demonstrating remarkable restraint in an age of instant sharing and social media. For Christina Derevjanik, solving the puzzle “PACK OF COYOTES” may have unlocked a million-dollar prize, but her thoughtful approach to this life-changing moment might be the most valuable asset she possesses.