You’ve probably heard of Pat Sajak, the famous host of Wheel of Fortune. He’s been on TV for over 40 years, smiling, spinning the wheel, and making people laugh. But before all the bright lights and red carpets, there was a woman named Sherrill Sajak.
Sherrill wasn’t a celebrity. She didn’t want to be in the spotlight. But she was once married to one of the most famous TV hosts in America. They were together before the fame started. And even though she’s been quiet for years, people are still curious about her life.
Who was she? What was her marriage to Pat like? And why did she walk away from it all? In this article, we’ll tell the full story of Sherrill Sajak — Pat Sajak’s first wife. We’ll start from the beginning and follow her quiet journey through love, marriage, and her life away from fame.
Sherrill Sajak Quick Bio
| Full Name | Sherrill James Sajak |
| Birth Year | 1945 |
| Age (2026) | Around 80 years old |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | White (Caucasian) |
| Marital Status | Divorced |
| Ex-Husband | Pat Sajak (m. 1979–1986) |
| Children | 1 son, Mason (from past marriage) |
| Remarried? | No |
| Known For | Pat Sajak’s first wife |
| Net Worth (est.) | $500,000 |
| Current Life | Private, unknown location |
Sherrill Sajak’s Early Life and Background
Sherrill Sajak was born in 1945 in the United States. Her full name is Sherrill James Sajak. Some people think she may have lived in Nashville, Tennessee, since that’s where she later met Pat.
But here’s the thing—not much is known about her early life. There were no social media or online records back then. So, we don’t know who her parents were or where exactly she grew up. We don’t even know what job she did or what her hobbies were.
What we do know is that she lived a very quiet and private life. She wasn’t trying to be famous. She was just a regular woman living in the background—until her path crossed with someone who would soon become a household name.
How Sherrill Met Pat Sajak
In 1978, Sherrill met Pat Sajak in Nashville. At that time, Pat wasn’t a star. He worked as a weatherman on local TV. He wasn’t on national shows yet. He was just another young guy trying to make it in broadcasting.
The two met in a very normal way. Maybe through friends, or maybe at a local event. No cameras. No red carpet. Just two people who felt a connection.
They started dating quickly. And like many simple love stories, things moved fast. They enjoyed each other’s company and shared big dreams. Less than a year later, they were already planning their wedding.
Sherrill Sajak and Pat Sajak’s Wedding
In 1979, Sherrill and Pat got married. It wasn’t a big Hollywood wedding. It was small and private, with only close friends and family attending. At that time, Pat Sajak wasn’t famous, so their wedding stayed out of the headlines.
They didn’t need the spotlight. They just wanted a happy, peaceful life. And for a while, that’s exactly what they had. They were just a normal married couple, starting out together with big hopes for the future.
This was the quiet beginning of a story that would later turn into something much bigger.
Life Together Before Fame
After the wedding, the couple moved to Glendale, California. They lived in a charming Craftsman-style home that was built in 1911. It had four bedrooms, a walk-in closet, a balcony, and a nice backyard. A cozy place to start a life together.
During these early years, Pat worked hard to grow his career. He appeared on small shows and built his name in the media world. Meanwhile, Sherrill stayed out of the spotlight. She spent most of her time at home, supporting Pat from behind the scenes.
They lived a quiet and simple life. No flashing cameras, no interviews. Just a couple building their future, one day at a time. Sherrill believed in Pat. She stood by him as he chased his dreams.
When Pat Sajak Became Famous
In 1981, everything changed. That’s when Pat Sajak got the job of a lifetime—host of a new game show called Wheel of Fortune. No one knew at the time, but this show would become one of the most-watched in TV history.
Almost overnight, Pat Sajak became a celebrity. He started filming episodes, giving interviews, and flying across the country. His face was on magazines and TV screens everywhere.
But while Pat enjoyed the fame, Sherrill didn’t. She never wanted to be a star. She didn’t enjoy the flashing lights or the crowds. She still liked her quiet life at home. That difference made things harder between them.
Sherrill Sajak’s Private Personality
One thing was always clear about Sherrill Sajak—she liked her privacy. Even when her husband became a national TV star, she didn’t step into the spotlight with him.
She avoided red carpet events. She didn’t give interviews or appear in magazines. And even now, in 2026, there are only a few old photos of her on the internet. She stayed completely off social media and never spoke publicly about her marriage.
That’s part of what makes her story so interesting. In a world where everyone wants attention, Sherrill chose silence. She simply walked away when things got too loud. And that mystery is what still makes people ask: “Whatever happened to Pat Sajak’s first wife?”
Did Sherrill Sajak Have Children?
During their marriage, Sherrill Sajak and Pat Sajak did not have any children together. But Sherrill was already a mom when she met Pat. She had a son named Mason from a previous relationship.
At the time of their marriage in 1979, Mason was still a young boy. Pat helped raise him during the years they were together. In fact, many sources say Pat adopted Mason and treated him like his own son.
Mason, just like his mother, has always stayed away from the spotlight. He didn’t grow up in the media, and even today, very little is known about him. But it’s clear he was a part of their small family while Sherrill and Pat were married.
Why Did Sherrill and Pat Sajak Divorce?
In 1986, Sherrill and Pat Sajak decided to end their marriage. They had been married for seven years. To the outside world, their life looked perfect. Pat was famous, successful, and respected. But behind closed doors, things had changed.
Fame brought a new lifestyle. Pat was always busy—filming, traveling, doing interviews. Meanwhile, Sherrill preferred a quiet, simple life. The difference in how they wanted to live likely pushed them apart.
They never spoke publicly about why they divorced. Some people believe it was the pressure of fame. Others think it may have been the fact that they didn’t have children together. But whatever the reason, their split was peaceful and private.
What Happened to Sherrill Sajak After the Divorce?
After the divorce, Sherrill Sajak disappeared from public life. She didn’t go on TV. She didn’t write a book. She didn’t give interviews. She simply stepped away and chose to stay quiet.
There are no public records of her remarrying. There’s no news about any new job or career. And no one really knows where she lives today. Sherrill has kept her life completely private.
In a world where people share everything online, Sherrill did the opposite. She stayed off the grid. And that makes her story rare—and interesting.
Where Is Sherrill Sajak Now?
As of 2026, no one knows where Sherrill Sajak lives. Some people believe she still lives somewhere in the U.S., but it’s all guesswork. She doesn’t have any public social media pages, and she hasn’t been seen in years.
She may be enjoying her retirement in a quiet town. Maybe she spends time with her son or close friends. Whatever the case, she’s clearly someone who values peace and privacy.
While Pat Sajak is still known worldwide, Sherrill has built a life out of the spotlight—and she’s done it on her own terms.
Sherrill Sajak’s Net Worth and Property
When Sherrill and Pat divorced, they sold their Glendale home—the one they lived in during their marriage. It was a beautiful house with four bedrooms and a cozy design. The home was first listed for $699,000, and later sold for $425,000.
Although the full details of the divorce settlement are private, most people believe Sherrill received a fair share. This helped her live comfortably for years to come.
Today, her net worth is estimated to be around $500,000. This is based on property value and what she may have received after the divorce. Since she never returned to work or the public eye, it’s likely she’s lived a calm and quiet life.
Why Sherrill Sajak’s Story Still Matters Today
It’s been decades since Sherrill Sajak and Pat Sajak were together. But her story still gets attention. Why? Because it’s so different from the stories we usually hear.
Most people connected to fame try to stay close to it. But Sherrill walked away. She didn’t try to use Pat’s name to stay in the spotlight. She didn’t chase interviews or TV appearances. She just chose a peaceful life.
And that’s why people are still curious about her. She was married to one of the most famous men on TV—and then she was gone. No noise. No drama. Just quiet.
Final Thoughts
The story of Sherrill Sajak, Pat Sajak’s ex-wife, is quiet—but powerful. She shared a big part of Pat’s life during his early career. She supported him when he was just starting out. But when the fame came, she chose to step away instead of step forward.
We may never know all the details of her life. And maybe that’s how she wants it. But her story reminds us that not everyone wants the spotlight. Some people are happiest when they live life on their own terms—calm, private, and peaceful.
And that’s the real beauty of Sherrill Sajak’s untold story.
(FAQs)
How old is Sherrill Sajak, and when was she born?
Sherrill Sajak was born in 1945, so she is about 80 years old in 2026. Her full birthday is not known.
Was Sherrill Sajak really Pat Sajak’s wife?
She was Pat Sajak’s first wife. They got married in 1979 and stayed together for 7 years before getting divorced.
Did Sherrill Sajak have any children?
She did not have kids with Pat Sajak, but she had a son named Mason from an earlier relationship. Pat helped raise him.
Did Sherrill Sajak ever marry again?
She never got married again after her divorce from Pat. She stayed single and very private.
What is Sherrill Sajak’s net worth and where is she now?
She is worth about $500,000. Nobody knows where she lives today—she keeps her life very quiet and private.
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