A California woman became the second person to ever win the $1 million grand prize on "Wheel of Fortune" Thursday night.
The $1 million jackpot was on the board in honor of the show's 30th anniversary. Autumn Erhard, 30, finished the regular round with more than $30,000 in cash and prizes, including trips to Belize and Arizona. She sped through to the Bonus Round after one of her spins landed her the coveted $1 million wedge.
Although there were only a few letters revealed, she solved the final puzzle, "Tough Workout," with ease.
Urgent: Is Obama Telling the Truth on IRS, Benghazi Scandals?
"I am in complete and utter shock," Erhard told ABC News after her big win. "I'm shaking. I came here today because I love the game, I wanted to have some fun and solve some puzzles — I feel like I'm in a dream!"
The $1 million grand prize wedge was added to the Wheel in 2008, at the beginning of the show's 26th season. If a contestant collects the wedge, solves the puzzle, and makes it to the Bonus Round without going bankrupt, the top $100,000 cash prize is replaced by $1 million on the Bonus Round Wheel. The first $1 million grand prize was won by Michelle Lowenstein in October 2008.
Erhard, an animal pharmaceuticals sales representative from Laguna Niguel, Calif., was accompanied by her parents and fiancé, who jumped up and rushed to the stage when she solved the final puzzle.
"No one could believe it," Erhard said. "They were just off stage and couldn't see what my prize was. They were celebrating the fact that I solved the puzzle. They kept asking me how much I won, and I had to keep repeating it because no one believed me at first."
Urgent Poll: Is the US Economy Healthy? Is it a Bubble About to Burst Again? Vote Now
Related stories:
Months after Winning $1M in Lottery, Man Wins $2M
Cashier Sells Self $1 Million Ticket in Powerball
Lottery Mistake: Extra Buck Wins $14M for Single Mom of 4
© 2025 Newsmax. All rights reserved.